Joshua Parfitt
IT’S a luxury to have a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy right on your doorstep.
And a downright steal to sample the best of it for just €3.
For we are currently in the middle of the 15th Ruta de Tapas de Denia where 40 restaurants are offering their most stunning tapa at a knockdown price, with a drink included.
The annual event, organised by Guiame Denia, began on October 24 and will run every day until November 17 with salivating tourists urged to collect their ‘passports’ from Denia’s Tourist Office or download the ‘Rutappa’ app ASAP.
Highlights include octopus in all-i-pebre with parsnip puré and crisped celeriac at Bodega Casa Benjamin – the oldest tavern in Denia.
Equally mouth-watering is the aubergine cannoli filled with smoke cod on a bed of sweet-and-sour sauce and mango pearls at the Jamonal de Ramonet.
“Don’t forget this tapa comes with a nice, cool beer or a glass of wine,” secudes an advertisement for the Jamonal’s special-offer tapa.
Meanwhile for the seafood lovers, La Xerna del Mar is offering turbot and white prawns fished by Denia fisherman with aubergine on top of toasted seaweed.
Or for those with an international palet, La Sabrosa Taquería is offering a crunchy taco with guacamole, cactus ice cream and lime – accompanied by vermuth or wine.
Participants who fill up their passports with at least 15 tapas may enter a lottery with prizes including a free meal for two at the best-rated Ruta de Tapas restaurant, as well as a night at the Les Rotes hotel.
