La Pataleta by Mulero, Taberna de Playa

I have always believed that "if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything" but that won’t apply to this review following our visit to La Pata Leta last Sunday lunchtime.
For the last two years this has been our favourite restaurant in Torrox Costa - very well managed with delicious, high quality and beautifully prepared and presented food at great value, and friendly and efficient staff; see my review of two years ago.
Sadly this seems to have changed since its re-opening last Friday under new ownership. This is my earlier review that I have had to delete on Google in order to post a second one:
“2 years ago
We have eaten here three times so far and definitely shall again.
The menu is varied and interesting, the quality of the food is excellent and reasonably priced and the service friendly and efficient. Highly recommended.
Price per person: €30–40
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Vegetarian options: Plenty on the menu to satisfy our vegetarian/ pescatarian daughter”
On our visit a few days ago service was neither particularly friendly nor efficient. I shan't go into detail here, but I suspect it is a training issue rather than the fault of the individuals concerned.
The entrantes were acceptable, which at their price they should have been, but the main dishes (chicken, steak, pork and lamb cutlets) were disappointing to the point of disaster which at their price they should not have been. The meat was of poor quality, not well cooked and virtually inedible. Three dishes were served with chips and no other vegetables, just a meagre undressed salad with the chicken. The cost of three of these mains dishes was over 20 Euros each.
I asked to see the chef, but she or he was apparently too busy to speak to me. I hope that she or he was shown the more or less untouched meals on our plates.
The very pleasant young manager coped with our complaint as best she could, first deducting just the price of a bottle of wine then deducting the cost of two main dishes but adding back the wine. A bill of just over 135 Euros was reduced to just under 100 Euros which I still didn't find satisfactory, but I wasn't intending to get involved in a lengthy argument. I can't recall when I was last, if ever, involved in such a complaint.
We hope things will improve and sincerely wish La Pata Leta good luck but we have resolved not to return.

We were absolutely satisfied. There is nothing to complain about. The meal was a poem. The staff very friendly. A waitress also conjured up a drink that she didn't have on the menu and didn't even know how to make. It tasted magical. This restaurant is an absolute recommendation. A great atmosphere.

The staff was really friendly and welcoming, especially the Argentinian guy (wish I remembered his name!), who stood out with his great attitude. The food was a bit of a mixed bag for me. I tried the cachopo, which was actually quite good, though it was my first time having one so I can't really compare. The shrimp salad (ensaladilla rusa) was disappointing, only three shrimp on top, the rest was mostly potato and egg. On the bright side, the dessert I had was excellent. Overall, a good experience thanks to the service and atmosphere, but the food I tried could definitely be improved.

As a vegetarian I did not have the usual difficulties to get a meal instead of only a salad. My meal was pointed out to me and was delicious .
My group and I will definitely go there again.
We also appreciated that two families who let their many children run around who screamed joyfully were seated at the opposite side. Otherwise we elderly people would never have had a chance to maintain a conversation.

The restaurant was full. The service was good. We are going to return. So we returned later in the season. The restaurant was very quite. Nothing like in the height of the season.