Arros & Vi, Casas de Bárcena

It’s easy to drive without realising it past this restaurant located on the old Barcelona road at Casas de Bárcena, between Almássera and Meliana; in fact it’s easy to drive through Casas de Bárcena without noticing, consisting as it does of a handful of houses. (Not that you’d want to hold houses in your hand, but you get my drift I’m sure).

Parking isn’t easy, so you might want to take a 16 bus from the centre of Valencia, which will deliver you to the doorstep (if you don’t ride past without noticing).

Stopping there is worthwhile, and the painstakingly designed décor makes it clear from the start that this place is special.

My favourite detail was definitely the grapevine lampshades.

It’s an old beamed townhouse with a friendly staff who effortlessly make you feel at home, and a menu at 17 euros, with all the second courses being rice dishes, plus a fideua, including some uncommon options, such as asparagus with shrimps or duck or black rice or lobster rice.

Always a big fan of freebies (although of course there is no free lunch) I was delighted to be given three (sort of) pasties as soon as we sat down; one of blood pudding, a goat’s cheese and anchovy.

There are six starters to choose from, including a warm salad with ham and wild mushrooms or a samosa with garlic sauce.

There is a drink included in the menu, although the wine list is quite interesting, including one of my favourites, a local Merseguera from a winery in Calles.

The dessert was a selection of ice creams and tarts, although my wolf wifed them before I got the camera out.

She also wolfed a couple of beers, which made the long walk to the car quite amusing.

Arros & Vi is to be found, with concentration, at Ctra. Barcelona, 95