With my daughter staying overnight with a friend and the little guy tucked away at Gaga’s for the night, my lesser half and I were free from the little people on a Saturday night. Yipeee!

I can still remember when the vague whiff of freedom would have me galloping off to the nearest dancefloor but instead we opted for a sedate walk round Costa Del Silencio. The first place we meant to visit was shut and the second may as well have been as we were the only customers.

Just across the road at Coral Mar, El Botijo was doing very nicely. There was a good little buzz in the dining area and enough custom to keep Amanda busy in the kitchen. Manolo, from Gran Canaria sang and played guitar for the diners while Natalie and Paula kept them happily fed and watered (or wined).

Sitting in the bar area instead of the dining section we enjoyed listening to Natalie’s banter and watching Amanda cook up a storm. Guitar-playing Manolo sang his heart out for the diners and then came to the bar and sang some more. Unfortunately though I took lots of video of him and the girls, as well as of regulars Dennis, Ben-ben and Blackie, I accidentally formatted my camera card so can’t show you any of it. What a plonker!

So, my apologies to Manolo but you’ll just have to take my word for it. If you are visiting Costa Del Silencio and are looking for good food, served with a smile, and at a cost that won’t break the bank head for El Botijo in Coral Mar.

The Paris Marrakech restaurant is tucked away on the ground floor of the C:C: Paris shopping centre in Playa Del Duque. It is a bit of an odd location but as soon as you are settled the wrought iron grille round the restaurant and colourful Moroccan decor wrap you in an exotic bubble and you can just relax and enjoy the great Lebanese and Moroccan food and entertainment.

The belly dancer, Ursula, was lovely – in all senses of the word. Not only did she charm all the men in the room with her seductive moves but she had me and Gaga charmed by her kindness to my daughter.

Both kids were made to feel very welcome and even though I had to practically sit on Sami to stop him demonstrating his break-dancing technique while his big sister was getting all the attention, he was thrilled with his night out especially his humongous serving of ice-cream.

Dinner and drinks for three adults and two kids came to less than €100 which was very reasonable.