El Mincho Alicante — Restaurant in Alicante

This place was a very positive surprise. We had just checked into our hotel and looked for a nice place to eat nearby. When we entered the restaurant from the street, it seemed at first to feature only a few tables. But when you pass through the door at the end of the room you enter a former marketplace that has been turned into an indoor food court.

The food was excellent. We had a fish dish from the daily menu made with a fantastic yellow sauce that had the perfect balance of acidity and spiciness and another dish from the regular menu with the fish being featured with a hummus made of green peas. Both were awesome as were the desserts. My wife said this was the best carrot cake she has ever had.

The service was also super friendly and we really enjoyed our time. The dessert wine we got at the end was also perfect.

We left the place very satisfied but not feeling too full and can only recommend it. We learned that the restaurant has existed for 5 years now, which only allows for one conclusion: the cook must really love his job. Because you notice that he doesn't simply cook the usual stuff and he also isn't satisfied with just being good. He wants to improve and invent and he does this in the best way without getting too fancy.

Next time we're in Alicante we will...

Expensive yet very small portions. I believe they’re mising the mark since their Asian fusion proposal it’s just not it. Throwing scallions at every dish doesn’t make it Asian nor fusion. We ordered chicken and pork belly and they were mid at best. Same with the bravas. Croquetas were good though. Only reason I give 2 stars it’s because the service was nice and attentive. Prices are the same you would pay in Madrid or Barcelona yet the quality is subpar. If I go eating out I expect to have better food than I can prepare at home but this was not the case. Sorry if it seems rough but there are many other better options...

This place is very highly rated but we were not impressed. A funky menu is great but it's no good if you don't deliver. Why stray from the standard and simple if you can't nail it? Partridge chrocetas sounds interesting but no good if they are tasteless and still cold in the middle. Fried chicken also was too pink for our liking and very salty. Thankfully the...