The last dinner of the trip was reserved for what was probably the most prevalent name in all the internet recommendations for Alicante. Considering it was awards the best tapas restaurant in Spain at the 2009 Congress of Lo Mejor de la Gastronomia, it isn't surprising that the place is cosy, busy, loud and serving exceptional food.
It was a fantastic place to bring together all of my favourite seafood items into local Spanish tapas style. Wine glasses and jamon hang from the ceiling and the bartenders mix and serve your desires. There is a combination of traditional and modern tapas.
- Ostra special no.4 Gillardeau (1/2 docena) €12.5 - the oysters are from France but it had been a short while since the last time. They were mild strength;
- Sepionets a la planca €8.5 - delicious tender and juicy little squids making eat chewed morsel a memory;
- Atun crudo con citricos y soja €16.5 - one of the few places I found that served raw fish (the best way to eat it!). The tuna had a nice flavour, soft fresh texture and a hint of citrus soy herbs;
- Arroces negro con sepionets, gambita, alcachofas y pimiento rojo €16.5 - squid ink rice with small squids, prawns, artichokes and red peppers as good as it sounds. I wish I had a larger one;
- Mousse chocolate €5.5.
After this dinner, I ended up there the next late afternoon before the night flight back to London.
- Tartar de salmon con eneldo y sesamo €15 - diced salmon with dill and sesame seeds;
- Pulpo al horno con pure de patata €12 - bakes octopus with potato puree.
Both of these were fine but not as memorable as the previous evening. I suppose that's partially my own fault for experimenting with different things rather than the tried and true, but the menu has so many choices (such as prawns, mussels, clams, fish) and I only barely scratched the seafood surface.