26339. Rivas de Tereso. (La Rioja). Tel 941 334061. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays

Asador Jose Mari is one of the best places to enjoy real Riojan food, like patatas con chorizo (potatoes with spicy paprika sausage), menestra (vegetable stew), or chuletillas al sarmiento (lamb chops roasted with dry vine branches). It is also located in the Toloño - Sierra Cantabria mountain. Jose Mari is in charge of the place, and especially on working days, when the restaurant is quieter, he always have time to chat about new wines, food, and a little bit about life in Rioja.

Driving from Labastida, or from San Vicente's road, up to the mountain, you get to Rivas de Tereso, and in the same road, you find Asador Jose Mari. They have a big dining room with a lot of light, and a cozy terrace where you can enjoy lunch or dinner. Outside dining is especially pleasant on nice days during the spring or fall, when you can enjoy the views and the environment.

But the main reason to come here is not the enviroment, but delicious, high quality, traditional Riojan food. You have the typical dishes like menestra (vegetable stew), patatas con chorizo (potato soup with spicy paprika sausage) or pochas con chorizo (bean soup with spicy paprika sausage), followed by chuletillas de cordero lechal asadas al sarmiento (lamb chops roasted with dry vine brunches). And the menu has enough options to keep anyone happy, pencas rellenas (stuffed swiss chard), esparragos (white asparagus), jamon (ham), pimientos, many kinds of meat and fish, etc. Dessert's are also delicious. Sarmientos are dry vine branches used to roast meat and fish, giving it a very particular taste, although the most typical use is to roast lamb chops.

Wine list is basically from Rioja, but apart from the well known ones, there are also new wines from local wineries, author wines, wines from small wineries, or new releases. Jose Mari can always advise you regarding this issues.

Price is very reasonable. We had vegetable stew and potato soup with chorizo, peppers, roasted lamb chops, dessert, coffee and a fabulous wine: Olmaza autor from San Vicente de la Sonsierra, and we paid less than 30 euros per person, making an excellent price quality rate. It's a good idea to make reservations, especially during busy weekends in good weather days.