We all dream of ‘getting away’ to peace and tranquility during this Covid epidemic and leaving the virus behind, yet travel is restricted if not recommended. We can only reflect on past travel memoirs and reminisce of the good old days when travel to sunny destinations on a budget was even possible. To keep my followers abreast, I’m giving you a glimpse of my past trip to Torrevieja, Spain in 2016.
This quaint little seaside town with a population of 86,000 inhabitants sits on the Southeastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea of Costa Blanca in the province of Alicante. When we think of Spain and the culinary delights such as Iberian ham, paella and dorado, we tend to forget about other dishes that Spain has to offer.
This blog will focus on some affordable, yet tasty dishes that Torrevieja has to offer. When on a budget in Spain, it can be challenging to find quality food that will not burn a hole in your wallet, but it is possible with a little research and talking to the locals. All these restaurants are at a stone’s throw from each other and within easy walking distance.
The first recommendation is to partake in a three course lunch that is often discounted and at a fixed price at La Pergola. You can fill your belly until your heart’s content for only 12 euros (18 dollars Canadian/14 dollars American) including a salad, dessert and a cocktail.
La Pergola is just the place for scrumptious pizza and pasta dishes. Located in front of Playa del Cura (the main beach on the pier), Ramon y Cajal 175, this swanky restaurant boasts a lovely patio with a vase of flowers at each table to complement the dining experience.
My favorite specialty was the saccottini gorgonzola with walnut sauce, a glass of Spanish red and to top things off, a lush tiramisu served in a glass cup. As the food is filling, you might want to saunter down to the beach for a restful nap under the Mediterranean Sea after.
Another more rustic restaurant to visit is Restaurante El Muelle on Calle del Mar 1 Paseo Maritimo Juan Aparicio.
El Muelle has perfected the pizza experience with many savory items to choose from.
Spain is famous for their croquettes- although I personally believe the Dutch were the ones to put this tasty morsel on the map. When we visited St. Jeremi’s Irish Pub on the pier (Paseo Maritimo Aparicio 8), I was pleasantly surprised with the menu which included rice and cheese filled croquettes for 5 euros. If you want to stay away from traditional pub fare, try this twist on Spanish croquettes as an appetizer.
Finally, no Spanish meal is complete without ‘el postre’. Dulce de Leche on Calle Caballero de Rodas 106 is a fantasy for pastry lovers. This family- run business off the beach front has delicacies that will seduce your sweet tooth time and time again.
Dulce de Leche comes in many forms, but is essentially a concoction of sweet caramelized condensed milk. This shop names itself after the famous dessert and rightfully so.
Spain is such a lovely country steeped in culture and traditions. As such, my next blog will focus on things to do in Torrevieja in order to experience this. Until then, stay safe everyone and dream about your next sunny destination. Who knows, it may just be around the corner……
Travel On A Dime 