That’s Strange: What’s Cooking In That Volcano?

I think the last 2 years have been truly a strange year for me. From discovering a one tree forest to the oh-so-deep step well of Chand Baori, from unravelling the mystery of the disappearing beach to watching dead bodies burn at the Manikarnika Ghat, from worshipping a bike to getting an American Visa at Chilkur Balaji Temple; I couldn’t have asked for more from India! And now, bidding goodbye to the land of uniqueness aka India (I’m pretty sure that I’ll be back soon), I’m all set to pen down my travel list for the next few years.

But before I do that, I must remember to tell you about a very peculiar dining experience I once had in Lanzarote Island which is the easternmost part of the Canary Islands. Imagine having lunch, sitting on top of a volcano!

 

For A Lava-Hot Meal!

Aptly titled, El Diablo (which means ‘The Devil’ in Spanish), this restaurant does not boast of a typical romantic setting but a rather adventurous one amidst a vast barren land that will sear its place in your memory. Conceptualised in 1970, it was the genius of Cesar Manrique to utilise the heat of a dormant volcano in, believe it or not, cooking food! As a result, a giant-size grill was built on the ground so that one could enjoy a barbecue like never before. Kudos to the architects, Eduardo Caceres and Jesus Soto, who dug deep beneath the island’s ground and laid 9 layers of basalt rock to build this massive cooking structure.

 

The Love Of Food & Travel

Yes, you heard it right. It was time to forget barbecue-grilled chicken and make room for some lava-grilled meat! As exotic as that sounds, I was even more amazed to see the BBQ-ing in action. Watching the chef roast the butter-greased pieces of meat and fish on the volcano grill is an experience that cannot be missed. The molten lava beneath the grill ensures that the food is always piping hot. At El Diablo restaurant, you can enjoy delicious Canarian food along with select wines and sardines. While the food here definitely tastes great, it’s the cooking procedure at the restaurant that mainly attracts tourists like me. A special Volcano Grill Tour is organised which includes a visit to the restaurant, meals and return transportation from your pick-up point.

Clearly, this is one of those experiences you surely want to have at least once in your lifetime, won’t you?