Restaurante Ana

When Chris Dove, ex Director of the British Council in Valencia, received a visit from 20 plus ex-schoolmates from Henley Grammar School (now Henley College), he started looking for a restaurant that provided space, light and a negotiated menu and that offered a variety of typical Valencia fare.

He found what he was looking for at Restaurante de Ana, Plaza de Tetuán, Nº 18 – izq.

Spread over three tables the British (and American) visitors were able to enjoy some typical starts such as esgarraet, made with roasted red peppers, dried cod, garlic and olive oil.

The presentation, like a pudding, was impressive and the quality definitely superior to that of other restaurants; clearly a dish concocted with feeling.

This was followed by squid in batter, a big favourite among tourists, mainly for the batter I think, but again, prepared with care and conserving the flavour of the squid over the batter.

Artichokes were in season and were served with chunks of Serrano ham and garlic shoots (ajetes) to provide an interesting, tasty contrast.

Two paella dishes were on offer; a vegetarian version and an arroz a banda. Both were excellently prepared and “en su punto) (just right).

As childhood memories surged and swayed across the three tables, the English-speaking waiters came and went offering a friendly, and at times amusing service.

The house wine is a Rioja, but still pretty good in spite of that, and the desserts were a variety of fresh fruit, ice cream or tarte Tatin, an upside-down pastry in which the fruit is caramelized in butter and sugar before the tart is baked.

Valencia International had been invited to the meal as a reward for an informative tour of the city, taking in the main monuments of the medieval, Roman and Arab parts.