Bar Teno Alto is an establishment that appears to have resisted the passage of time. Arriving at this location in the north of the island feels like stepping into the essence of bygone eras. Over the seventy years of La Ventita, as it’s known to the locals, the landscape has witnessed minimal evolution. The care and attention provided to the customers remains as it was in the past, with the same courtesy, cordiality, and helpfulness that defined this bustling bar serving locally made soft cheese, fried kid, stewed goat, escaldón, and as a new addition, goat meat giozas.
Always curious, Samir Makarem, the manager of the bar and grandson of the original owner, enjoys his clientele as much as they enjoy his cuisine. “You learn something from everyone,” he assures, “I have even learned to greet and give thanks in several languages, as I chat and take an interest in the places they come from; they tell me anecdotes and customs…”
Those who come in as customers find themselves captivated by the atmosphere of this undoubtedly magical place. The weekends bring a surge of activity, which is why Samir prefers a reservation to secure a table. Additionally, on Sundays, a musical treat has been added to the venue. “I want people to come and enjoy the food and the environment, to sit down and take their time, to not rush, as we tend to do everything today. Food, wine, it should be savored slowly,” insists Samir.
At the tavern and bar, you can still taste the wine with the same flavour it had fifty years ago. These types of establishments are crucial for sustaining the small businesses in the area, and La Ventita is certainly an outstanding example of supporting local produce. “We sell cheese from local producers, as well as the indigenous black bee honey from Canarias, unique to Teno Alto, gofio from El Palmar, and onions from Carrizal… The saffron we sell is grown in our own orchard, and it’s the one we use in our stews,” Samir tells us.
The bread, an essential element that needs to be cared for as much as the menu offered by La Venta, is sourced from a bakery, a small business in Las Canteras. “It’s the best bread in the world,” Samir asserts.
Living and running a business in the heights of Teno is not easy, and it never was. “My grandfather first, and then my mother, used to go on a donkey every day to get supplies from El Palmar, along the path known as the one of the dead. Nowadays, things are somewhat easier in that regard, but the administration throws all kinds of obstacles when it comes to expanding the business or making even the smallest changes to a plot of land. We are in a Rural Park, and the administrative hurdles are so many that they sometimes take away the desire to do anything,” laments Samir.
That’s why it’s important to support these family businesses. The star dishes of the bar are the goat meat, enjoyed with a side of perfectly matched fried potatoes and a rich sauce, just like the fried kid, a typical gastronomic delight that comes with the pleasure of tranquillity, the stillness of the landscape, and the sensation of having travelled back many years. The business’ Instagram, @bartenoaltolaventa, showcases the dishes offered to passersby, as well as their delicious desserts made with dedication by Samir himself. A must-visit where the best option is to secure a table in advance by calling 673084265.
