Tapa Thursdays: A Gastronomic Experience at Restaurant Puerto Blanco in Calpe

The Novio does’t understand my “world.” He doesn’t understand why I’m a smartphone addict, why I take pictures of details, and why I spent my hard-earned cash (hard-earned on a slot machine in Vegas, that is!) on a DSLR, my trusty Camarón.

Then I dragged him along as my plus-one on a blog trip. During our weekend in Calpe as VIPs for #calpemocion, we ate, drank and made merry with 50 other digital media strategists, and the Novio finally understood why I love blogging and sharing my stories and photos with my readers.

During our welcome dinner at Restaurant El Puerto Blanco, one of Calpe’s most famous eateries, he even graciously held the bite-sized tapas we munched on while I shot them. Score.

Welcomed to Puerto Blanco by the team of Calpemoción, we had a champagne cocktail with fruit  skewers while Mario Schumacher, the event organizer and master in experiences, greeted us. The mayor and tourism board of the fishing village-cum-tourist destination was on hand, too, and we had a few beers while they spoke.

The setting was idyllic: at the foot of a squat, albero-colored hotel (private bungalows can be reserved – but the waiting list is nearly a year!), a pristine dining room welcomes guests just right along Calpe’s lesser port, Puerto Blanco. Even though the night was cool for May, we spent out time on the terrace, complete with a pool and lounge chairs.

Mario presented executive chefs and husband and wife, Maria Grazia and Patrick Marguette, who would be serving us a menu full of Calpe’s flavors. We got to mingle and grab the tapas off trays to our heart’s content – I ate until I was completely stuffed, trying to find room for one more braised pork rib or another pinch of brownie.

Warning: this post contains little more than photos of scrumptious food. You have been warned.

If you go: The Puerto Blanco restaurant is located adjacent to the port of the same name in Calpe, a 20-minute drive north of Benidorm. Most tasting menus are 28 – 38€, which include two dishes and a desert. Be sure to call ahead, as the place is usually booked during the busy summer months. Puerto Blanco is closed during the winter months, and closed Monday in the summer. Check their website for more information on opening times and restaurants.

Are you ready to devour your computer? I didn’t even include everything that we ate! Five desserts and I was in my happy place. As for my tapas Thursday absence…I’ve been eating camp food for nearly three weeks. Nothing else needs to be said about that.

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About Cat Gaa

As a beef-loving Chicago girl living amongst pigs, bullfighters, and a whole lotta canis, Cat Gaa writes about expat life in Seville, Spain. When not cavorting with adorable Spanish grandpas or struggling with Spanish prepositions, she works in higher education at an American university in Madrid and freelances with other publications, like Rough Guides and The Spain Scoop.

Comments

  1. Yum!! Great pics!
    Christine recently posted..Luanco, Asturias: A Morning in a Mariner’s VillageMy Profile

  2. I LOVE your pictures! These were especially scrumptious! 😉 And your blog is always a fun read!

  3. Wow!! All of these tapas look amazing… I will be visiting Spain in March….now, you have me even more excited….
    Val-This Way To Paradise recently posted..How I Feel After Selling It All To Travel The WorldMy Profile

    • Sunshine and Siestas says:

      Spanish food has definitely earned its reputation! Whereabouts will you be in Spain? If you’re in Seville, I’ll take you around for a few!

  4. Looks like an amazing meal! I knew there was a reason I love Spain :)
    Adam recently posted..Drinking Absinthe at Bar Marsella in BarcelonaMy Profile

  5. This restaurant looks wonderful, and makes me realise I haven’t spent enough time exploring the foods of Spain.
    Steve recently posted..An unexpected cooking lesson – San Lorenzo, MexicoMy Profile

  6. YUM! looks amazing!
    wanderingeducators recently posted..Far Off PlacesMy Profile

  7. What luscious photos! I want some of that food! :)
    Lillie – @WorldLillie recently posted..Is a Cape Cod Vacation Worth It? 6 Reasons Why…My Profile

  8. Yum, we have a tapas place in Antigua, Guatemala. Nothing like what you have. But it’s the first time I tried them and now we are hooked.
    Marina K. Villatoro recently posted..Sightseeing Tours in Boston – The Hop On Hop Off Fever Is Here!My Profile

  9. Mmmm, I’m looking at these photos too close to dinnertime. Those speared strawberries and pineapples got my mouth watering.
    Jennifer recently posted..Fun Packages at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Denver DowntownMy Profile

  10. Yum, I’m so hungry now!
    Bethaney – Flashpacker Family recently posted..Is Australia Just Too Darn Expensive?My Profile

  11. Mouthwatering stuff. I miss tapas more than ever now. And I know what you mean about the camp food – it’s all i’m eating at the moment too!

  12. Not only do the tapas look delicious, but the setting isn’t bad either! Beautiful photo of the strawberries.
    Mary @ Green Global Travel recently posted..TAHITI: Photos of Moorea 4×4 Safari TourMy Profile

  13. Tasty post! I honestly can’t turn on the food network anymore without hearing or seeing something about Spain, and this has made me want to visit for myself even more. Great selfie, too!

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