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Our resident restaurant reviewers have been on a well deserved break from Spanish cuisine. So this week’s restaurant review has been done by the management, a pleasant task. We decided to do lunch at La Mar Salada on Mojácar Playa. We have been there a number of times for drinks in the evening but never for food and were pleasantly surprised by it.
The location of the Mar Salada is opposite the Parque Comercial and backs right on to the beach giving drinkers and eaters a fantastic sea view. It is very popular amongst the Spaniards especially during the weekend.
Fortunately, as we went during the week, it was not too busy and we were quickly attended to. I decided to have the Menu del Dia which is €10 and includes a starter (choice of three dishes), main course (choice of two dishes), dessert and drink. Unlike other restaurants you can also have Menu del Dia on Saturday and Sunday but priced at a very affordable €12. My starter was a healthy looking and very tasty bowl of homemade fresh vegetable soup. It was very good and my only issue was that it was served in a square bowl making it hard to get the very last of my soup. My partner ordered from the a la carte menu and had homemade Ibérico (Spanish ham) croquetas priced at €4 for two of them. These were delicious and she was sorry that on the day they didn´t have the hake and prawn croquetas that were also priced at €4 for two of them. Other starters on their menu are a selection of salads priced from €4 to €6, fried spring rolls of brie, asparagus and ham for €6, cream of the day at €5 and Reserve Ibérico Ham for €18.
My main course was pork with mushroom sauce which came with nice chips and a little salad. The pork was well cooked and the mushroom salsa complimented it well. My partner ordered Pimientos de Piquillo rellenos de bacalo (stuffed peppers from the Navarra region with cod) priced at €6. They were served in Salmorejo which is a emulsion of tomato, bread and olive, which was well received. They also have a good selection of seafood and fish choices such as Mussels in hot sauce priced at €6, Grilled or Menier style Sole at €14 and Grilled Emperador with Salsa Verde at a very reasonable €10. Paellas seem to be one of their popular dishes and you can have a chicken, rabbit and vegetable one for €12. If you fancy a posher one you can pre-order a paella with bogavante for €18.
As part of my Menu del Dia I then had lemon tart and even though it seemed industrially produced it was quiet nice and was all eaten. My partner being full after her two dishes passed on desert and just had coffee.
All in all the lunch was good with both of us feeling well fed and satisfied with our lunch. At €10 the menu of the day was good value for money. My partner was also happy with her choices from the menu making it an enjoyable experience. The bill came at €22.50 and for this price we had a very enjoyable meal. The menu changes often as their cooking uses fresh seasonal produce. The staff are friendly, attentive and multilingual. The setting is simple with only a few indoor tables with the bulk of them being on the terrace overlooking the sea and this is the place to be when the sun is shining. If you have children with you there is also a good selection of Pasta, Pizzas, Sandwiches and “Platos Combinados” to choose from.
Next to La Mar Salada there is La Cava which is part of the same group and offers delicatessen tapas and raciones. This is a must go place if you have visitors and they would like to have real Spanish tapas. It is open from 12.00-17.00 and 19.30-24.00.
Category: Spanish-International
Restaurant: 12.00-16.00
Bar: 12.00 till late
Ambience 3
Food 4
Service 3
Value for Money 4
Overall 4 |
