Food lovers have five tasty dates for the diary this September as Menjars de la Terra returns after its summer break.
The popular gastronomic event heads to the Medio and Alto Vinalopó from Monday 14 to Friday 18 September. Five restaurants in five different towns will take part, with a special menu available at a different venue each day.
This time, the spotlight falls on one of Alicante province’s best-known local products: Uva de Mesa Embolsada del Vinalopó, the Vinalopó bagged table grape.
The grape has Protected Designation of Origin status and its harvest season begins around this time of year. Each restaurant will include it in the menu created especially for Menjars de la Terra.
Five restaurants across the Vinalopó
Casa Sanchiz in Monóvar gets the week under way on Monday 14 September. The restaurant focuses on traditional recipes, local produce and ingredients from nearby suppliers.
On Tuesday 15 September, Menjars de la Terra moves to A Fuego Lento in Villena. Its kitchen combines traditional cooking with more contemporary touches while keeping good-quality produce at the centre of the menu.
Elda takes its turn on Wednesday 16 September, when Restaurante Fayago hosts the event. The restaurant specialises in Mediterranean cooking and puts particular emphasis on its ingredients and preparation.
The fourth lunch takes place at Restaurante Aspense in Aspe on Thursday 17 September. This long-established restaurant bases much of its cooking around seasonal market produce and traditional dishes.
Taberna-Asador Contrabandista in Monforte del Cid brings the week to a close on Friday 18 September. Fire and charcoal cooking play a central role in its approach to Alicante cuisine.
Together, the five restaurants will offer a snapshot of the food currently coming out of kitchens across the Medio and Alto Vinalopó.
How to book Menjars de la Terra
You do not need an invitation to join in. Menjars de la Terra is open to everyone, although diners need to reserve directly with their chosen restaurant.
Each special menu costs €43 per person, including drinks and IVA.
For Monday’s lunch at Casa Sanchiz in Monóvar, bookings can be made by telephone or WhatsApp on 617 33 71 41.
A Fuego Lento in Villena takes telephone reservations on 676 448 837 or WhatsApp bookings on 615 530 606.
For Wednesday at Restaurante Fayago in Elda, call 965 381 013. Restaurante Aspense in Aspe takes bookings for Thursday on 670 343 410.
The information provided for Taberna-Asador Contrabandista confirms Friday’s event in Monforte del Cid, but does not include a reservation number.
A week for Vinalopó produce
Menjars de la Terra aims to showcase the different cooking traditions found across Alicante province rather than simply bringing restaurants together for a food festival.
That makes the Vinalopó grape a natural choice for this edition. The fruit has strong links with the area, and producers use its distinctive paper bags to protect the grapes as they ripen on the vine.
With a different restaurant taking over each day, diners can choose one lunch or make a week of it and explore several towns along the way.
¡Buen provecho!
Bridging the Gap’s recap
- Menjars de la Terra runs from Monday 14 to Friday 18 September.
- Five restaurants across the Medio and Alto Vinalopó will take part.
- Vinalopó bagged table grapes will feature in every special menu.
- Restaurants in Monovar, Villena, Elda, Aspe and Monforte del Cid will each host one day.
- The special menus cost €43 per person, including drinks and IVA.
- The event is open to everyone, but diners must book directly with the restaurants.
- Casa Sanchiz opens the week on Monday, with Taberna-Asador Contrabandista closing it on Friday.
