Opening of new restaurant Ascua in Jesús

Hot news – as hot as the name of this new dining venue in the heart of Jesús: ASCUA, which means ‘burning embers’, is the name Matthias Conrad has given to his new restaurant. It also affords us a clue as to what is on the menu – the house speciality at ASCUA consists of various oven dishes cooked on the hot embers of a wood fire, which suffuse food with a more unique flavour of their own than charcoal. We especially recommend leg of lamb with Mediterranean herbs and the prime rib of Galician beef, which is gently cooked for six hours. There are also other delicious dishes to try in the form of tapas, which Matthew does so well, plus sophisticated salads and various pasta dishes, which are always freshly prepared, or if you prefer, slow-braised osso buco. Another specialty is ‘torta de aceite’ – a type of Andalusian flatbread – similar to Italian focaccia. Baked on hot embers, it can be enjoyed as an appetiser with tomatoes and olive oil, and as an accompaniment to tapas or dishes from the barbecue – langoustines on lemongrass, Nebraska Beef, grilled Muscovy duck. There is no fixed menu at Ascua, since dishes change almost daily according to market conditions and seasons and a large blackboard is used to indicate what is available that day. Nor are reservations accepted; you decide where to sit as the mood takes you, whether at the long bar or at one of the tables in the dining room decorated with sculptures and paintings. All the graphics and interior designs for ASCUA are by well-known artist Jull. The restaurant is open every day in winter from 5pm until midnight, and on Sundays from 10am onwards. Official opening expected for 15th of December. For further information +34 630 065 736 ASCUA, Nstra. Sra. de Jesús, Calle Faisán, 10. www.ascua.es