A good choice of menu del dia for this little restaurant on the main promenade in Los Arenales del…read moreSol Six or so starters, about 8 or 10 mains depending on weekday or weekend. Price including drink and dessert or coffee 9 Euros weekday, 12 Euros weekend. At the weekend the roast lamb is superb and comes with chips!! Fish dishes are all fresh and delicious.

My Spanish friends brought me to la Tartana, and it was an unforgettable experience. We ordered…read moretwo arroz, one chicken and one seafood. Unlike what I had in Madrid or New York, they don't mix chicken and seafood in Alicante and Valencia. I told the owner that her food is better than that in Jose Andres' Mercado Little Spain in Hudson Yards, and Angelita was very pleased. But I am sincere. La Tartana prepares arroz for individual groups, while paella in Mercado Little Spain is for the mass. Also I was told that water in Alicante is suitable for arroz. Angelita invited us to see the kitchen, and I was amazed by the operation. It was run by her, her husband, and three sisters. The kitchen is very clean, cleaner than mine where I don't even cook! She explained to us different broths and cookware for various arroz. Her sisters said that it's hotter than 40 degree celsius, or 105 Ferenheit. I could feel it. The family certainly takes pride in their food. I told them that I would return to Alicante just for la Tartana''s delicious arroz, and I certainly will.

From the owner: Especialidad en arroces, tenemos una carta tradicional en la que también tenemos carnes y pescados…read more Puede disfrutar de nuestros postres caseros horneados en el momento y de una amplia carta de vinos (100) y destilados (40).

Centric to Sta. Pola port, sort of fancy looking place was a bit too expensive for the value we…read moregot. We went there for a "mariscada" which typically consists of a good assortment of shellfish, cooked in a variety of ways and presented in a big plate accompanied by some sauce and garnish. We ordered 200 grams dishes (4) and they came with just some shrimp and langostines, not that great variety (no shells perhaps) and just boiled. We had this as the main dish (4 portions), a couple of classic salads and drinks, the bill was 150 euros. No wine, no elaborate entrees, nothing really cooked in any special way to deserve such cost. We should have known better that as we've read here the place is known for paella dishes, but again, it shouldn't had been too hard to have a good dish of seafood in a place on a port and advertised as a seafood restaurant. It was disappointing.