Skina

FEW places match up to the style of Skina... beautifully lit, this small intimate place in the heart of Marbella old town, can only sit 20 people in winter time, a few more outside in summer.

Unlike most of the other glamorous high end restaurants in the infamous Costa del Sol town, Skina manages to keep its prices reasonable and its fan club faithful.

But that is not at the expense of either decor or food. The place is stylish with comfortable leather chairs, stone floors and a clever use of space.

Only going since the end of 2005, its chef Jacobo Vazquez has done his time at the two-star Girosol in Alicante and San Celoni in Catalonia.