A huge chalk board shows off the specials, while the main menu and a surprise option for 30 euros leaves a lot to be decided when choosing food here. Fresh off the plane and incredibly hungry we decided to go for that surprise menu. At this point we had no idea how much food we we’re to be eating, little did we know we were in for a very big surprise. None of my photos really show off the true size of any of the dishes but I can assure you, they were large. This stunning platter to start consisted of a selection of Italian meats, olives, black olive tapenade and some garlic aioli which packed one hell of a punch and the stunning side of fluffy and grilled bread was perfect for dipping in to it.
The surprises kept on coming out large, and fast. Two grilled pieces of asparagus were soft and dusted in sea salt. Four huge scallops cut through like butter and that prawn – well it was something very special indeed. The one thing to remember about the food here at Taverna La Vaca is that it’s all very simple, relaxed and very simply cooked, but of the most amazing quality and packed with huge flavours. This is simple home cooking at its finest and you really do feel relaxed eating here, it’s like an oasis – but with lots of good, affordable wine – regularly topped up.
In between all this food we gorged on a Shiraz style tomato salad and a couple of cold salad bowls too. When filling dishes such as this risotto arrived at the table we knew there was no chance in us leaving without feeling incredibly full. It was cooked absolutely perfectly, had a good bite to it, seasoned well and laced with lashings of aged parmesan and what I think was tarragon (although don’t quote me on that). The wine had taken its toll by this point too, I seemed to be guzzling it like water. The manager here is very persuasive when it comes to topping up glasses and who can say no to more wine!? I certainly can’t. Again the flavours in this dish were few and simple, but was a fantastic example of how to do risotto very well.
I’m not exactly writing this review in order, but if I did the kitchen serves everything in stages. Meat platter, seafood, vegetarian delights and finishes off with the meat and finally dessert. Special commendation goes out to this huge piece of grilled and smoky squid. It was honestly cooked to such a sheer perfection I can’t remember the last time I’ve had squid as tender as this piece was. Well seasoned, lashings of olive oil and a sprinkle of parsley. A side of some type of cold rice was ever so slightly pickled and flavoured with beetroot, it was a perfect accompaniment to this gorgeous squid which should be on your list of things to try when visiting here.
By the time meat courses arrived we already had no room for anything else, but we didn’t stop – yet. I think we were now in Greek territory with this next dish. Ground lamb patties were heavily flavoured in some lovely intense spices, a little mint if I recall and some creamy dipping sauce for dunking in to. While they were very good, these patties of meat were perhaps our least favourite from everything we ate, if we had to choose – but by no means bad at all. Halfway through this plate of food we were wondering if that was the feast over, but it was still nowhere near. The guys here are very passionate about their food and obviously have much more of an appetite than we do, which must be huge considering how much I put away daily.
Another plate of meat to arrive were these merguez style sausages and some chicken wings, which were absolutely amazing. It was a shame we had no room by this point because those crispy wings had perfectly cooked skin, nice crisp edges, juicy meat inside and an intense BBQ flavour to match – this is a lesson in how you cook meat well. We were offered dessert, but this feast of a meal defeated us and we had no room left. Full, drunk and ready for bed we waddled out in agony, but immensely satisfied. If dining around the globe is your thing then Taverna La Vaca is the place for you. With its impeccably cooked dishes and wide choice from the menu this haven of a restaurant is a much welcomed new addition to Maastricht, which I can’t wait to come back to.
8/10
