This event brings five Vega Baja restaurants into the spotlight for Menjars de la Terra, a culinary showcase running from February 20 to 24. The organizers are finalizing arrangements to ensure a seamless experience for all attendees.
The lineup features El Jardín at Hotel Meridional in Guardamar, La Herradura in Los Montesinos, El Buey in Almoradí, D’Davinia Martínez in Orihuela Casino, and Barlovento in Torrevieja. Each venue is preparing distinctive menus that highlight local ingredients and regional flavors, inviting guests to savor the gastronomy that defines this part of Spain.
Seats remain available for the public conferences, which celebrate the region’s rich food culture. The price for a complete tasting is set at a fixed rate, and those who join will get the chance to explore a diversified set of dishes crafted to showcase the area’s culinary excellence.
Menjars de la Terra restaurants in Vega Baja present their menus
The event kicks off on Monday, February 20, with El Jardín at the Guardamar hotel taking the lead. The restaurant is a benchmark for hospitality in the town, known for celebrating tradition while honoring its orchard and fishing heritage. Its gastronomic program for this edition is designed in collaboration with the Vega Baja Artichoke Association. The welcome cocktail features Artichoke, scallops and lime charcoal velouté, followed by a starter trio of Artichoke, ham and duck broth and an Artichoke omelette.
Dori Chazarra, co-chief at El Jardín, expresses appreciation for the invitation and notes the team aims to highlight artichokes as a symbol of local identity and regional pride. The restaurant looks forward to contributing to the broader appreciation of Vega Baja’s produce.
La Herradura, Los Montesinos
Aurora Torres, chef at La Herradura, reflects on the opportunity to showcase regional products. She emphasizes that recognizing and valuing local ingredients is a point of pride for the town and its cuisine. The event spotlights the link between place and plate, inviting visitors to connect with the locality through what they eat.
The menu spotlights dishes centered on local catch and farm produce, underscoring the area’s ties to the Mediterranean and its culinary traditions.
El Buey, Almoradí
On Wednesday, February 22, El Buey in Almoradí takes the stage. Chef Moisés Martínez describes the moment as both an honor and a responsibility. The menu aims to reflect the essence of Vega Baja and to mirror the region’s gastronomic identity through thoughtfully chosen dishes and preparations that speak to local flavors.
D’Davinia Martínez, Orihuela
Thursday, February 23 features D’Davinia Martínez in the Orihuela Casino. The head chef Davinia Martínez speaks with enthusiasm about the task and the chance to present a menu that blends tradition with contemporary technique. Her team aims to guide guests through a reminiscence of childhood memories via culinary storytelling, while honoring the distinct qualities of each product.
Windward, Torrevieja
Concluding the sequence on Friday, February 24, Barlovento in Torrevieja takes center stage. Manager José Antonio Álvarez notes the depth of gastronomy on offer and highlights the region’s agricultural richness, sea treasures, and wine selection. The goal is to invite visitors from abroad to savor Vega Baja’s authentic flavors without losing sight of the province’s agricultural heritage and maritime bounty.
Information on the Menjars de la Terra initiative emphasizes a renewed format that travels through the provinces during a dedicated gastronomic week, with daily sessions at different restaurants. The program also involves Denominations of Origin councils, underscoring the importance of regional products and traditional methods in celebrating Alicante’s gastronomy.
Open to the public for a few days
The Menjars de la Terra days are open for anyone eager to taste and participate in specially crafted menus. The all-inclusive price is 40 euros per person, with beverages and tax included. Guests simply need to contact the selected restaurants to reserve a table and immerse themselves in the province’s rich and diverse culinary traditions in good company.
In Vega Baja, five distinguished establishments—El Jardín de Guardamar, La Herradura de Los Montesinos, El Buey de Almoradí, D’Davinia Martínez de Orihuela, and Barlovento de Torrevieja—have demonstrated consistent quality and a shared commitment to showcasing the region’s gastronomy.
Menjars de la Terra selects five Vega Baja restaurants
Menus from the Vega Baja area
Welcome cocktail: Artichoke, scallops and lime charcoal velouté. Artichoke, ham and duck broth. Artichoke omelet.
Starters: Coke with Tonyina. Alicante savory salad made at home. Shrimp ceviche with leche de tigre de ñora and crispy sweet potato. Artichokes, beets and roasted almonds. Bread service.
Main course: Cuttlefish stew with peas and artichokes. Sweet: Ñora, Fondillón and crispy artichokes. Shopping centre: White wine Riesling 2022 from Bodegas Monóvar. Red wine Cairo 2020 from Bodegas Monóvar. Waters, beers and soft drinks. Coffees and infusions. Price per person: €40 (including VAT). Reservation: 965 72 83 40 / web
Beginnings: Artichoke tartare, raff and citrus caviar. Guardamar shrimp, acorn-fed ham and Tonka beans. Low-temperature eggs with mushrooms and truffles. First course: Dorada and Levantine roots.
Second course: Magret with roasted apples, dates and Vinalopó raisins. Sweet: The world of carob. Shopping centre: Caterina, red wine DOP Alicante. Mas dels Cavalls, white DOP Alicante. Sierra de Cazorla water. Beer La Sagra. Price per person: €40 (including VAT). Reservation: 966 72 10 78 / web
Beginnings: Sourdough breads with green olive oil. Chocolate trilogy with semi-salted mullet eggs. Our red tuna salad. Artichoke blossom with duck miso and PX. Main course: Cod stew. Second course: Rice and crust. Sweet: Nougat nugget and fried egg yolk. Shopping centre: Uncle Raimundo Moscatel, Bodegas Gutiérrez de la Vega. Farmhouse Moscatel, Macabeo and Meseguera, Pepe Mendoza Winery. Arbui Monastrell, Alejandro Winery. Gran Fondillón reserve 1964, Brotons V&A Winery. Price per person: €40 (including VAT). Reservation: 744 63 10 38 / web
Beginnings: Oven roasted octopus old recipe Barlovento. Shrimp boiled in water from the bay. Yan tuna lives while suckling. Artichoke salad with tuna. Main course: Boiler rice. Sweet: Almond cake with Jijona nougat ice cream. Shopping centre: Cesilia Blanc, Sierra de Alicante. Red wine Santa Rosa by Enrique Mendoza. Beer, water and soft drinks. Infusions and coffee. Price per person: €40 (including VAT). Reservation: 966 92 21 76 / web
Beginnings: Sourdough breads with green olive oil. Chocolate trilogy with semi-salted mullet eggs. Our red tuna salad. Artichoke blossom with duck miso. First course: Cod stew. Second course: Rice and crust. Sweet: Nougat nugget and fried egg yolk. Shopping centre: Gutiérrez de la Vega Moscatel, Pepe Mendoza Winery Moscatel, Macabeo and Meseguera. Arbui Monastrell from Alejandro. Gran Fondillón reserve 1964. Price per person: €40 (including VAT). Reservation: 966 92 21 76 / web