La Finca Thai Fusion, San Roque

YOU may have seen the unusual caravan signposts either side of N340 as you drive past San Roque en route to Gibraltar.

Advertising the well-established La Casita campsite – and a new paintballing venture to boot – nowadays make sure to stop for a fantastic new restaurant La Finca as well.

For this true dining secret has – like all the best restaurants – a great story behind it.

Part of the Castilla family since the 1800s, this charming cortijo was once the nerve centre of a huge estate that once included Sotogrande, Alcaidesa and San Roque.

Today, ancestor Syrie Blanco Walsh has turned it into an atmospheric escape, full of charm and creativity.

With the help of her erudite New Yorker husband Chris Cousins – a born entrepreneur – they have  conjured up one of the best stop-offs between Malaga and Gibraltar.

But it wouldn’t be the same without their pal Benny, an amiable Thai/American, who has the magic touch in the kitchen.

His Thai fusion menu is adventurous with plenty of specials to add to the mix.

I particularly enjoyed his Summer roll, an incredibly fresh offering of shrimp, crab, egg and beans sprouts, as well as his spicy beef salad with classic ‘sticky’ rice.

I finished off with his intriguing Fireball ice cream, which came with fresh raspberry sauce and vanilla ice cream with a trickle of Barcardi on top.

What a joy!

La Finca Fusion
Ctra. N-340, km . 126,2.
11360 San Roque
Cadiz
(next to Camping La Casita)

Tel: 665 075 124