The Spaniards enjoy their food, and we quickly join them in their delight.
On our first full day in Alicante we meander the 12 or so blocks to the El Cortes de Ingles supermarket to stock the basic supplies for breakfast and snacks at the flat. Then we make the 8 block walk to Mercado Centro to see what it has to offer. Like many mercado's we have seen in Southern Europe and Central/South America it has an array of produce, meats, fish, poultry and flowers. The Mercado is very clean and organized. An advantage I see here over many of the South American markets is the abundant use of ice and refrigeration. We were once told by a local in Las Playas, Ecuador that their fisherman's market does not use ice because that would imply that the fish is not fresh. Somehow I still feel more confident with ice and refrigeration.
On our first full day in Alicante we meander the 12 or so blocks to the El Cortes de Ingles supermarket to stock the basic supplies for breakfast and snacks at the flat. Then we make the 8 block walk to Mercado Centro to see what it has to offer. Like many mercado's we have seen in Southern Europe and Central/South America it has an array of produce, meats, fish, poultry and flowers. The Mercado is very clean and organized. An advantage I see here over many of the South American markets is the abundant use of ice and refrigeration. We were once told by a local in Las Playas, Ecuador that their fisherman's market does not use ice because that would imply that the fish is not fresh. Somehow I still feel more confident with ice and refrigeration.
After walking through the Old Town on our first night we make the decision not to cook meals at the flat other than breakfast. There are easily 300 spots for food and beverages within a six block radius of our flat and the prices, though not Ecuador or Asia cheap, are reasonable. El menu del dia's are usually €10-14 per person and include one to three appetizers, bread, beverage (small cerveza, glass of wine, Coke/Fanta or bottled water), main course and coffee or dessert. There's usually an entree choice between three proteins - fish, chicken and beef or pork (usually five to seven ounces) or paella for the entree. In some places a minimum of two must order the paella. Sometimes after asking the waiter for la cuenta (the bill) he will also bring out a small glass, perhaps one ounce, of limoncello or the local sweet wine as a digestive "on the house". We never have a bad meal and most meals we classify in the very good category. The ingredients are very fresh and the chefs take care in the preparation and presentation.
We don't always order el menu del dia. Sometimes William is in the mood for a ribeye steak or I have swordfish on my mind and it must be ordered from the regular menu. On a couple of occasions we go for Italian food and order off of the ala carte menu.
One of our walking routes takes us past Cerveceria Sento, a hole-in-the-wall place that does an incredible business with the locals and occasionally tourists if they are lucky enough to squeeze in. After having the men behind the counter happily call to us for several days I added Cerveceria Sento to the "must do" list. Finally early one evening we are walking by and there are a few stools open so we take advantage. It has the necessary tapas bar, jamon's hanging on the wall with their small pails to catch any drippings and 15 stools inside. After the all the stools and standing room inside fills up, the patrons just spill onto the street with the staff serving them through the open window. It is a spirited, fun atmosphere and great time.
One of our walking routes takes us past Cerveceria Sento, a hole-in-the-wall place that does an incredible business with the locals and occasionally tourists if they are lucky enough to squeeze in. After having the men behind the counter happily call to us for several days I added Cerveceria Sento to the "must do" list. Finally early one evening we are walking by and there are a few stools open so we take advantage. It has the necessary tapas bar, jamon's hanging on the wall with their small pails to catch any drippings and 15 stools inside. After the all the stools and standing room inside fills up, the patrons just spill onto the street with the staff serving them through the open window. It is a spirited, fun atmosphere and great time.
Spain changes our lifestyle, and we are happy to oblige. We sleep until we wake up, usually between eight and nine. We shower, dress and have breakfast in the flat, in-between checking e-mail and the news. By ten-thirty or eleven we are out for an adventure. Around two or three pm we are ready for lunch, the main meal of the day. Four o'clock or thereabouts finds us back at the flat for a modest siesta. Then we read, do online activities and/or watch TV. The need for activity and small hunger pangs strike near eight pm, when we go for a walk and find a place for a wine/cerveza and a couple of tapas. The evening finds us generally back at the flat connecting with family and friends over the Internet or watching a movie. As you can see, dining is a major activity in the day. We are definitely people who live to eat, not people who eat to live.
In many places in the world in restaurants a glass of wine costs 1.5 to 2 times the cost of a beer. Not here! I take great delight when the check comes and my vino tinto or vino blanco is less than William's cerveza. A glass of good local wine is usually 2.25 - 2.50€ while a pint of beer is 3-3.50€.
In many places in the world in restaurants a glass of wine costs 1.5 to 2 times the cost of a beer. Not here! I take great delight when the check comes and my vino tinto or vino blanco is less than William's cerveza. A glass of good local wine is usually 2.25 - 2.50€ while a pint of beer is 3-3.50€.
Part of the glorious food experience is the atmosphere. In most cases we are dining at tables with umbrellas which have been setup in pedestrian walkways outside of the restaurants. Two of our favorite locations are around Concatedral de San Nicholás de Bari and along the Explanada de España. In both cases there are at least 8-10 restaurants from which to choose within two to three blocks. We join the local Spaniards in the joy of relaxed meals.
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