Alfonso Mira restaurant in Aspe will welcome the return of Manjars of the World, a celebration of regional flavors. Beginning Monday, October 24, daily gastronomic days will tour the Alicante regions to showcase their remarkable culinary wealth. The opening signals a blend of tradition and innovation, starting in Alto and Medio Vinalopó, where the Alfons family kitchen stands as a prime example of honoring traditional cuisine while embracing contemporary techniques. The event promises a successful showcase of local talent.
The brothers Alfonso and Teo Mira have crafted a special menu for the occasion. It opens with the standout dish Aspense rice with rabbit and Serrano snail in vine sprouts, accompanied by a welcome cocktail featuring aubergine hummus and anchovy. A Pomegranate PDO Granada Mollar de Elche and a tuna, avocado, and Jijona nougat tartare provide elegant introductions. Other appetizers include Pericana, Peloticas with Porto sauce and seasonal mushrooms, and Artichokes stuffed with Gratin Shrimp. The main course presents Traditional Gazpacho aspense al vine sprouts, while the dessert features Table Raisins with Grape Bag from the Panettone of grape DO Vinalopó, caramelized cream, and vanilla ice cream. A red Monastrell pairs with the meal, complemented by white Sauvignon Blanc from Bodega Las Virtudes and other beverages. All courses are offered at a very attractive price of 40 euros per guest, making it a superb opportunity to experience Alfonso Mira’s culinary artistry and space.
Traditional foods
The week highlighting Alto and Medio Vinalopó’s gastronomy continues with further menus. On Tuesday, the Mermaid restaurant hosts an evening within the PeterOn venue; Wednesday brings a visit to Xiri restaurant in Mónovar; Thursday features another stop at Alfonso restaurant in Pinoso; and Friday concludes at Mesón La Kiler in Villena.
Traditional cuisine and local ingredients lead six gastronomic weeks, with a different restaurant hosting each weekday. The program invites attendees to explore and deepen their knowledge of a cuisine that has earned national and international recognition and praise, all at a very accessible price.
Revised formula
With its renewed approach, Menjars de la Terra will map the Alicante region, highlighting its rich and diverse provincial gastronomy with a focus on traditional recipes and local products. The Province’s Origin Denominations will be prominently featured, from PDO Vinos Alicante to Vinalopó’s prized bagged table grapes, as well as traditional spirits, Alicante mountain cherries, Granada Mollar de Elche, and regional specialties. Local delicacies such as loquats from Callosa d’en Sarrià and nougat from Jijona and Alicante, along with artichokes from Vega Baja and red shrimp from Dénia, will also be showcased.
Sessions, supported by the Provincial Assembly and conducted in collaboration with the regulatory boards of Alicante Origin Sects, will run Monday through Friday and move to a new restaurant each day. They must meet criteria set by a committee of experts, including a representative from the Alicante Provincial Association of Hospitality Operators, which participates in this event’s gastronomic presentation through a menu tailored for the occasion. The Alicante Restaurants Association and INFORMATION are involved in the planning as well.
Menus establish a single price of 40 euros per guest, drinks included, varying by the region of the day. In Alto, certain ingredients such as bagged table grapes and nougat in l’Alacantí are considered mandatory components.
Activities
Gastronomy-related events accompany the festival’s opening days, typically offering guided visits to local producers such as wineries, spice or nougat factories, and distilleries.
Menjars de la Terra presents an excellent chance to discover notable Alicante restaurants under favorable conditions and to support a shared commitment to promoting and developing Alicante’s culinary scene. It invites guests to savor the experience.