Eating the mysteries of Valencia - Traditional Wine & Fabulous Dining

Meet Santa Companya, I would call this restaurant the Saint of the Palate. 800 wines from around the world, all served by the glass!!!!! This lovely rouge picture is the best garnacha I've ever tasted. Alto Moncayo 2006 is smooth as a baby bottom, great red fruit and vanilla to entice you further.

The owner of Santa Companya won top sommelier of Spain, so he knows how to treat a wine lover right.
Truly great, crisp albarino from Pazo Pineiro de Lusco.








The highlights of the menu were a satisfying pumpkin soup with bacon and olive oil.


A desert tomato with tuna and, of course, olive oil.


A savory dish of seafood laden paella.

Tempura battered scallops with basil oil.


Santa Companya
Roteros, 21
El Carme Region of Valencia, Spain
Tel 96 392 22 59

5/5 Valencia, mouth watering

Fideua - Valencian Seafood Noodle Paella

Want comfort food? Here it is, big time. Especially, eaten on a beach in Valencia. Here's a paella tip from a Valencian native - make sure that the paella is not precooked and microwaved for you... they should make it fresh for you! It is made for a minimum of 2 people and should be cooked on a vine wood brazier. Details here...
http://en.valencia-netz.de/168/cuisine-val-en.html

Here's an excellent recipe...
http://www.jamieoliver.com/foodwise/article-view.php?id=3185

The one we had on the beach was of the microwaved variety and was still good. Please go to Fideua de Gandia if you want the real stuff in Valencia.

For amazing rice paella in Barcelona go to Porto del Refugio. Address is Carrer del Judici, 4, 08003 Barcelona, Spain. It's in Barcelonetta



3/5 Valencia... ho hum, this day I didn't go to the right places to eat, but the beach was marvelous, 26 C in November!

Valencia, Spain - Canada loves your tapas bars

My Spanish is entertainingly, very limited. After arriving in Valencia(pronounced Balenthia, thank you very much), we had sought out a recommended wine and tapas bar called Tintofinoultramarino...love the name.

Me- ¿Tienes una otra recommendaccion para vino?

Nice Waiter- ¿Mas Blanco?

Me- Tinta y blanco...eh, no. Tinto o blanco, cualquiera.

Nice Waiter- (Laughter insues)

If you didn't understand this...don't worry, I didn't much either.

I, actually, love it when they laugh at my pigeon Spanish. I like being funny even if unintentionally.

The star dishes of the night...
1. Patatas con slas piquante y aioli. Simple and satisfying.
2. Lacon de cerdo (pork shoulder) con anise seed paste, served cold. I have never tasted anything like it.


For the wine nerds out there...
1. Valmiñor, Rias Baixas, Albariño
Lovely, fresh, yet complex golden white wine. Pinapple, honey, lemon and a bit of minerality. Great with green olives, cuts any rich foods. ie. the patatas above

2. Basa, Rueda, Verdejo, Viura y Sauvignon Blanc
Big nose on this fruity bombshell. Less complex than the Valmiñor, but still a great patio sipper. Pinapple, lemon dominate.

3. Al Muvedre, Alicante
I wanted this one to be since it is from a region near to Valencia. I love mouvedre, usually, but this wine disappointed. Great nose of earth and cinnamon, but the bottom dropped out with a flat palette.

4. Dehesa Gago, Toro, Tinta de Toro
This one is big. It reminded me of a cali zin, but with a gorgeous old world flare to boot. Mild tannins made this ready and easy to drink. Strawberry jam, caramel, cloves... ok I love it already. Add a dusty desert sage not to the mix... cigar and bitter lemon finish!!!!

What a fabulous evening. Tintofino had a great atmosphere; melow music, warm lighting and you can find it in a section of the older town on a tiny winding walkway, Calle Corregeria 38 if you are ever looking. At under 3 Euro a glass, this wine bar was sensational.

4/5 Valencia, solid food and wine selection at a really cool location