Tarbena - Spain

Tàrbena, a little town of Arab origin has been subjected to a religious de-population and later a re-population episode by an entirely different race of people.  In 1609, at the time of the Inquisition, Tàrbena was abandoned, its crops unused and the town became pretty much deserted when the mostly Moorish population was expelled from the Iberian Peninsula.  The few remaining locals turned to nearby Majorca natives in search of farmers to reoccupy the fertile properties and re-populate the village.

 

This town’s charm is very unique and its location unbeatable.  Situated in the interior of the country and slightly away from the coast, it has escaped the over-exploitation that many coastal places have suffered.  Yet pretty accessible today, you will discover this awesome place;  enjoy its authenticity, as well as taste its famous Majorcan sausage.

This time again, I travelled to that town on Christine's recommendation.  She told me that in addition of the beautiful scenery and the unique character of the town, there was a restaurant which I simply had to see as it was truly unlike anything else I had ever seen before.  That was sufficient a recommendation to want to go there.

After a fairly short and most picturesque drive up in the hills, we finally reached Tàrbena and just as Christine had said, I was immediately enchanted by the place but more was to come.

Tarbena Square and its Church

After a short stroll of the town, we headed towards the famous Casa Pinet restaurant.  What a place that was !!! 

 

Casa Pinet started as some sort of refuge where the original owner used to feed and hide the freedom fighters during the Spanish Civil war.  Today, the original owner's son runs the establishment and it is a fully-fledged restaurant.

The Famous Casa Pinet Restaurant in Tarbena

As soon as you step into the place, a whole array of memorabilia from the civil war is there on offer for the guests to marvel at.  From old rifles, hand guns, trinkets, plates, the place is literally full of interesting bits to look at and relive a tragic part of Spain's recent tragic past.  I even spotted a business card from Fidel Castro among the hundreds of bits and pieces hanging on the walls or locked in glass cabinets.

A section of the Casa Pinet Dining Room

The Abundance of Memorabilia of the Casa Pinet Restaurant

 

Another Section of the Casa Pinet Dining Room with more Trophies on the Wall Including a Photo of Che Guevara

The reception we enjoyed there was nothing short of amazing; it was friendly and most courteous.  The owner looked after us with such attention to everything and after sampling a range of their specialities, I was offered a bottle of Mistela, a local wine quite similar to Moscatel but lighter in colour.

The Casa Pinet Owner by the Bar

The Casa Pinet Kitchen Area Complete with a Whole Range of Sausages Hanging by the Ceiling

Assorted Local Sausages to Sample

Fried Sobrosada with a Drizzle of Honey and Caramelised Onion and Red Pepper

Hot Seafood Gazpacho with Squid, Octopus, Fish and Langoustines - Absolutely Delicious

Baked Egg Custard and Cinnamon with a Glass of Mistela for Dessert - A Perfect Way to finish a Sumptuous Meal 

 

While we had lunch, a bus tour of Dutch tourists came in and were served a paella with all the fuss that the restaurant could dish out.  It was a delightful experience and I will certainly return there as soon as I possibly can.  Once again, Christine had gone beyond my expectations and I must thank her for including Tàrbena in the circuit.

The Other Restaurant Guests That Day - A Bus Tour from Holland

The Huge Paella Served to the Bus Tour Guests

 

Jalón - Spain

Jalón or Xaló (local Valencian language) is the capital of the Jalón Valley; situated beside the River Gorgos, in a plain, surrounded by the Sierra de Bernia and the Sierra del Forner mountains.
 Handicraft shops, wine cellars, restaurants make Jalón a great holiday spot for those who wish to lap up some local culture.

The main reason for visiting this place was to sample its local wines and cuisine.  The weekly Flea Market ended up being an additional bonus to another perfect day. 

Jalon Street

Jalón is located around 1 hour 15 minutes’ drive to the north east of Alicante airport, and some 14 kilometres or about 20 minutes’ drive from the northern Costa Blanca town of Calpe.

Jalon House 

The town boasts some of the most magnificent scenery in Spain, with its landscape of olive and pine trees, intermingled with orange groves and vineyards and its remote villages of Alcalali, Lliber and Parcent. 

The Jalón Valley is famous for its wines.  The bodegas there produce the famous sweet wines the Mistela and the Moscatel as well as some excellent full bodied reds.  These wines were the base of the region of Valencia’s economy for many centuries.  There are several bodegas in the region that are worth a visit and a sample.  Jalón's wines belong to the “Denominación de Origen “of Alicante.

Welcome to the Jalon Bodega 

Jalón has an interesting and exciting local gastronomy and is famous for its sweets and pastries made with local almonds such as the pastissets, mantecaos, carquinyols, mostachos and their famous bollos (pastry made with green peas).

Jalon Bodega Display 

Jalón is also famous for its sausages which are still created using ancient recipes.  Morcilla, Bufas, Longanizas, and Chorizos all go down well with a drop of the local full bodied reds.

Premier Wine Display at the Jalon Bodega

Wine Degustation at the Jalon Bodega 

The Rastro (Flea Market) of Jalón is held each Saturday beside the river.  There you will find antique furniture amongst the wide variety of offerings.  The weekly open produce market is held every Tuesday in the main square.

The Jalon Flea Market

Everything is for Sale Except for the Dog I Think 

There is a number of fiestas dedicated to various saints throughout the year; the fiesta of the Romero (last Saturday of April), the Moors and Christians (last Sunday of July), the fiestas of Santo Domingo (the 4th of August) and the fiestas of the Virgin Pobre (third Monday of October).