Valencia Restaurants

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We'd spotted this venue earlier in the day, attracted by the display of paella in the window.
So, this was our first night in Valencia , the city where paella was invented, the majority of our group were happy to eat here - it was near to our hotel, we were hungry, the doorman was quite helpful- he explained the different paellas on the menu, so we were pleased to be led to a table which was hastily set up for our group of 8.

La Fonda specialises in seafood and Mediterranean Cuisine

The Restaurant had a nice atmosphere, and the staff were helpful, friendly and polite.
I'm afraid that 1 member of our party embarrassed us by her behaviour - She hadn't wanted to eat here, and behaved appallingly (as she did for the rest of the weekend)

So, it did put a bit of a damper on what should have been a pleasant relaxed meal.

to be continued...

Favorite Dish: Paella- we tried the seafood (lobster, prawns, clams, and arroz negre-black rice-coloured by cuttlefish ink) and a degustacion (small samples of 4 paellas).

I really wanted to try at least one of the desserts (This restaurant has won awards for its desserts), but I'm afraid that I didn't get the chance.

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We'd just arrived in Valencia, a quick wash/unpacking, and we were out for our first drink/snack. The February sun was shining, so we picked this pavement cafe.

A round of San Miguel 1516 to unwind/discuss our plan of action for the weekend (7 bottles and a one small glass of draught lager = 15.90 euros (2007)

A round of ham and cheese toasties for 8 = 20.40 euros, then a further round of San Miguels 8 x San Miguel 1516 = 16.40 euros.

We were now fortified (and the sun had disappeared between one of the buildings of this main street) so ready to explore Valencia!

Favorite Dish: I enjoyed my 1st San Miguel of my Spanish weekend break, and the toastie was devoured in record time!

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Saturday afternoon, after a morning of sightseeing, we headed for the beach, and feeling thirsty/hungry, we decided to try this beachside bar.

We sat at the front of the restaurant, in a covered area, -there was plenty of seating inside too.

We ordered 8 beers, and were served huge litre tankards of draught Amstel by a very cute waiter!!
Others in the bar (all locals) were consuming interesting looking cocktails!

Hunger had set in, so 7 of us ordered chicken salad baguettes, the other had patatas bravas and a tortilla, plus we devoured some plump, tasty olives. The chicken baguettes were delicious!!!

We were quite comfortable here, so some more beers were ordered.

I'm not sure of the cost - we had a kitty,so whoever was responsible for it, settled the bill -
but I guess it was quite reasonable.

Favorite Dish: Chicken baguettes- warm chicken, fresh salad, fresh crispy roll - Mmmmmm - Oooh I could just eat one now!

Olives, plump and tasty!

Amstel beer/lager- best of this brand that I've tasted!!

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Sunday morning we were shaken out of our beds by the Desparta (The awakening). It was the last Sunday in February which is when La Crida - The start of Falles ( Las Fallas de San Jose) happens. (We didn't know any of this at the time though!)

We were in need of breakfast, This coffee house was near to our hotel.

We ordered coffee and tea for the 7 of us - and after coming unstuck with the menu spotted a display of cakes on the bar. The apple tart looked delicious (and it was!)

We were quite comfortable here, and proceeded to order another round of hot drinks, which was followed by a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice - A taste of Valencia!

Favorite Dish: Apple tart -Mmmmm!

I enjoyed the coffee too (Illy brand) - I'm usually a tea drinker, but can't get used to the Spanish way of leaving a tea bag in a cup of hottish water, or in this place in a cup of frothy hot milk!

Freshly squeezed orange juice - drunk in the city where the oranges are grown!

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If you are looking to try some specialities from Andalucia and very specially from Cordoba, this would be the right place to go. Very well located and near to the city center, La Goyesca is a very elegant restaurant with a good variety of foods, including tapas at the bar. We had a great meal and it cost us around 25 Euros per person. The service is great. I would recommend you to have a good red wine that they serve here, it is called Ramon Bilbao and is from the famous Rioja region.
They have a un common system here with wines. They will charge you their cost plus 4 euros as margin for the bottle, so you can have good wines at a reasonable cost.

Favorite Dish: Salmorejo, jamon Serrano, a variety of fried fish andalucian style - Pescaito frito -

Favorite Dish: Recipe of paella

Paella is a typical dish from this area of Spain (Comunidad Valenciana), although you can find it anywhere in the country, and it's traditionally cooked in a "paellera" (a round flat pan with two handles) which is then put on the table.

There are literally hundreds of ways to cook a paella and every cook has their own favourite recipe. Here’s mine, well, a friend's one rather (it will serve 6 people depending on how hungry you are):

INGREDIENTS:

1-2 pieces cooked chicken breast
Half a bell each of red & green peppers
1 garlic segment
1 squid
2 1/2 cups whole brown rice
1 ladle/large spoon sweet green peas
1 teaspoonful orange colouring
6-7 mussels
Half glass cooking wine
2 dessert spoons tomato sauce
1 dessert spoon olive oil
Salt (pinch)
Handful prawns
Half segmented lemon

Serves: 2 People

RECIPE:

Heat a pan brushed with the olive oil and throw in the garlic and peppers. Cook for 3-4 mins then add chicken, mussels and squid together. Cook for 5 mins (keep stirring) then add wine, tomato sauce and leave for 2 mins. Add rice and colouring and mix well then leave for 2 mins. Add a little hot water (approx. 4 dessert spoons) then cook for 15 mins. Add peas and baby prawns then serve with lemon garnish.

There are hundreds of ways, ingredients...

This place does some nice pastas. I was quite impressed although not all were in our group.
It is an italian but it doesn't do pizzas however the pastas are quite special and should be at least tried. I normally don't like eating pasta out as I always feel it's something that can be made easily at home but i quite liked some of the dishes i tried here.

The mains are not that big so I would recommend ordering some starters first rather than diving straight it. The main cost about 10euros. A bottle of wine was expensive, about 14euros!

The whole place including the toilets were very modern and ver clean. The staff were brilliant, very friendly and welcoming.

Favorite Dish: tried a bit of everyones, it was all nice.

If you want to try a genuine Valencian paella this is a pretty good place to come.

Due to the nature of cooking Paella it is often better to reserve a table and tell them you want the paella before hand, else you maybe waiting a while.

Last time I was here though the Paella was a bit a dry to be honest, but some ali-oli soon sorted that out!

Favorite Dish: Valencian Paella, cooked authentically.