It was a Saturday in March when we were lucky enough to sit outside the wonderful restaurant that is La Venta del Collao to enjoy a wonderful lunch in a unbelievable place set in the mountains of the Jalon valley with incredible views.
This restaurant is the best you can visit in this immense green valley, and we had the fortune to live this experience with a lunch for two that we enjoyed whilst taking in those wonderful views.
The charming Esmeralda and her team welcomed us warmly and provided an excellent service throughout the day to their customers with advice worthy of those who know what they are talking about. They also offered us some of the best dishes that can be tasted at La Venta del Collao.
They first of all advised us to choose a delicious, soft and refreshing white wine that would perfectly match the dishes we chose.
STARTERS
My wife and I made sure to pick different dishes so we could compare and she opted for the Gamba Carpaccio, an interesting and beautifully presented dish. The flavour was out of this world and it was accompanied by caviar, cucumber, and an exquisitely achieved pink sauce. It’s worth trying because it’s a different dish with very potent flavors.
I ordered chicken livers that came served with a charming presentation, accompanied by onion and a sauce that was simply delicious. I would like to highlight that the livers were soft and healthy. One of my favourite starters this year!
We were also served an incredible tomato soup that had cilantro with bits of cheese. It was an absolute pleasure and its soft flavors made me want to choose it again. Esmeralda and her team know very well how to add love and detail to every dish.
MAIN COURSES
The starters were really wonderful, but these main dishes are what make so many customers come back again and again. Some diners travel more than 50 to 100 km to get to La Venta del Collao every week, as the quality of the menu is a one-way trip well worth making.
My wife chose the pork knuckle and just by its presentation it made you drool. Tender inside with a crunchy exterior that when you stab it with a fork the meat just fell off the bone and it was simply delicious… and it’s also accompanied by mashed potatoes with onion and dried tomato oil. This is an incredible dish and hard to match by others, so you can’t miss trying it.
I was also advised to choose the lamb and again it was sensational and, like the pork, it also came with the potatoes and onions and it was a delight.
What is also special about these dishes is that the chef adds his own ingredients to each dish and complements the flavors of the meat making them stand out at all times.
DESSERTS
This wonderful meal ended with brownie and extra Lemon tart. As I am a sweet tooth and my wife is sour, this was the ideal selection for us both. The brownie had a delightful and soft taste and was accompanied by crunchy nuts and black chocolate, which for someone like me was experiencing their very own paradise.
My wife loved her lemon tart, whose freshly grated lemon could be felt. She was delighted. To top off this top culinary experience and to finalise we were served a unique liqueur with homemade herbs that was sweet and pleasant.
La Venta del Collao is a restaurant to visit if you love the Valley of Jalon and want to eat in style, and at the same time enjoy the most incredible views and service you can find. We recommend you book with Esmeralda and her team, and we assure you that you will be delighted to do so. Bon apetit!
Contact Details:
Address: Partida del Camí del Collao, S/N Benimaurell, Alicante
Phone: 649 59 05 38
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