Are you feeling hungry? Then let's go out for a bite to eat.

The only place to eat tapas in Denia is Calle Loreto - well, it isn't the only place, but, it's rather special. In the heart of the old town, it's fully pedestrianised, running right up to the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, at the foot of the castle hill.  Every other building is a bar or restaurant or hotel, offering some of the tastiest local produce combined with a wonderful atmosphere at any time of year. Whether you want to settle down with a group of friends for one of those lunches that lasts long into the evening, or you are strolling through town as a couple stopping for a drink and a bite at a selection of different places, Calle Loreto in Denia is the place to be. The funny thing is, often the menus can look similar outside each establishment. Let's face it, Spanish cuisine isn't renowned for its adventurousness and innovation, not when it comes to everyday fast food. What you are guaranteed however, is that just because each place offers a reasonably predictable list of favourites, what you get at each one will vary every time.   No two Spanish chefs will agree on the perfect tortilla recipe, or exactly which blend of herbs you might grill your sardinas with - but they'll both agree theirs is the best, and you can choose your favourite from each. Because it's quite usual to move from one place to another, accompanying each small dish with a nice drink of course.  Perching at the bar is always an option if the tables are full, and of course full tables is an excellent indicator of quality, as is peering around to see what people are ordering at each place.  And most have seats inside, if you prefer a more controlled climate. What is your favourite tapas order?  For us, a night out will probably include some mix of the following:  

• Pescaditos - fried fish, usually small whiting but could be a mixture of anything
• Albondigas - meatballs, often in tomato sauce
• Tortilla - potato omelet, with or without onion, but I think it's against some local byelaw to go out for tapas and not eat this
• Patatas bravas - wedge chips with spicy tomato sauce, our kids are convinced this is also a statutory requirement
• Montaditos - this can be anything at all, 'mounted' on a piece of bread - often secured with a wooden cocktail stick. Bars specialising in this variety of tapas often reckon your bill by counting the sticks at the end, so stay honest and hold on to your sticks.
• Calamares - squid either 'romana' style in batter, or flash-grilled on the plancha
• Pimientos padrones - little green peppers fried with salt, careful - mostly they are mild and smokey-tasting, but occasionally one bites back
• Boquerones - fresh anchovies
• Croquetas - breaded quenelles filled with béchamel sauce and  either ham or salt cod
• Sardinas - fresh local sardines, grilled to perfection

On Calle Loreto you'll even find a bar devoted to puddings, serving a large variety of ice creams and other treats. It's worth remembering that they sell tiny ice cream portions all day for 1 euro, as well as larger portions to enjoy at the end of a great night out.  Whilst this street is truly tapas heaven, it also boasts an excellent new Thai place, as well as some very good pizza outlets. Of course, this isn't the only street in Denia where you can get great tapas - from the Marina to the main shopping areas, pretty much every bar will serve some food.  The choice may be limited in smaller places, but you can always get some bread and ali-oli, or some patatas bravas, wherever you go. And if that's not enough to tempt you, Denia is designated a "Creative City of Gastronomy" by UNESCO. There are regular Tapas Trails, taking in the best the town has to offer, and the famous 'red prawn' of Denia is celebrated in an annual competition attracting chefs from all over the region: La Gamba Roja de Denia from Javier Gallén This year's contents had over 70 entrants, judged by a jury, comprising of michelin-starred chefs, restaurant critics, journalists and food writers; the winner was Antonio Villaescusa, from Restaurant Maestral (Alicante). In September, the DNA Gastronomic Festival attracted huge crowds to the Marineta Cassiana over two days, organised by Dénia City Council and the Valencian Agency of Tourism, along with chef Quique Dacosta as spokesperson and food Commissioner. Paying tribute to the cuisine as the essence of the Mediterranean, the event included food trucks, cooking workshops, children's activities, and celebrity demonstrations, as well as showcasing the best of local food and drink from the region. So, when are you joining us for some tapas in Denia?