In amongst all the traditional tapas places in Alicante, Monastrell stands out for having a modern approach. It shares a building with the TA #1 hotel Amerigo, which I imagine lends itself to having expensive clientele looking for good food and drink at any time of day or evening. Perhaps it is just the name that makes me envisage American business people or flash tourists.
In any case, the class and refined setting of Monastrell didn't deter me although they were very busy with a lot of romantic couples spilling into the corridors the evening before. It was a very different feel around midday just after opening for the day, where one solitary man was enjoying food and a newspaper.
Green olives and a theatrical sliced-bread-in-a-bag with a pipette extra virgin olive oil were presented. Given the holiday opportunity, there was no better time than to kick things off with a red wine cocktail also.
- Tomates de nuestro huerto con burrata y jugo de albahaca (tomatoes from our garden with "burrata" cheese & basil juice) €11 - excellent tomatoes as a modernised salad;
- Bocadillo de calamares "Monastrell" (signature squid sandwich) €14 - a reimagining of toasted flat bread with squid slivers;
- "Roast pork" de presa Iberico con crema de queso manchego, patatas paja y berros (Iberico roast pork with Manchego cheese cream, potato chips & watercress) €16 - the pork reminded me of the texture of sliced beef fillet and contrasted well the fried chips and creamy cheese.
The food is fantastic and the bar setting very refined. The atmosphere is probably more suited to a late evening romantic drinks, but brunch allows a simpler focus on the food. There are so many other menu items I'd like to try - 65 degree huevo, bocadillo de calamares, and if I could afford them, more simple navajas gallegas or gamba roja de Denia.