La Dársena

Description:

• Established in the 1950s, this is a famous waterfront restaurant along the Costa Blanca, celebrated for offering a staggering 170 different paellas. Everything you thought didn't go into paella goes into the different versions here, even cauliflower, chicken livers, and lamb kidneys. You can opt for one of the more conventional paellas, which include succulent morsels like shellfish; in fact, you can work up a big appetite just reading the long menu. We'd recommend that you start by ordering an appetizer: fritura de la Bahía, a crisp, fried local fish (similar to red mullet), or boquerón (fresh anchovies). Try the velvety smooth crab soup flavored with Armagnac, or a refreshing tart composed of tuna and fresh spinach. One of the more memorable paellas is arroz con bacalao y costar de ajo, which is made with salt cod, thinly sliced garlic, and potatoes, the medley crowned by a light, airy egg crust.

• © Frommer's 2013

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Recommended 2010