Casa Montana: The best tapas in all Valencia

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Seems like everyone we met suggested Casa Montana.  After a bit of a challenge, we got a reservation.  But could only have the table for 2 hours.  Thought that would be enough but were surprised.  We ordered the chef's tasting menu and for a mere 10 euro, we added the wine pairings.  They were full glasses, not tasting pours.

Super fun to be at this historic restaurant with excellent service from Oscar, the need to duck under the bar to get to the back to the restroom, the amazing food that we were able to enjoy.

Chef's Tasting Menu:  A selection of our most traditional tapas since 1836, the year our house was founded.

Mediterranean red tuna marinated in 7 spices

·       Ceviche style but not with lime.  It had a flavorful olive oil over the top. 

Acorn-fed ham 100% Iberian breed black label

  • A fairly large plate of thinly sliced ham with some spices sprinkled over top.  I dipped the ham in the leftover olive oil from the tuna and that was decadent.

Stewed beans (Michirones)

·       These are the paella beans and they were good but super salty

Stuffed piquillo pepper

·       A goat cheese stuffed pepper with spices and ever so delicately fried. 

Padron Peppers

·       I thought I would not like these.  They were tiny green peppers, grilled and seasoned with salt and other spices.  They were delicious.  Not too hot.

Montadito of Cod Brandada

·       This was a slice of crusty bread with a what seemed to be soft cheese but it had the cod folded into the cheese.  Then it was broiled to give it a caramelized crust. 

Patatas bravas from dry land from the Montes Universales

·       Always patatas with tapas!!!

Carved `special beef´ sirloin with spring garlic

·       A somewhat large portion, cut in cubes with a nice spicy flavor.

Rustic tetilla bread

 

Tocinito de cielo with tomato jam

  • This was a thumb sized flan with a savory tomato jam.  It was perfect size and paired with the Mistela wine, which was sweet, it was delicious.  I learned that with sweet wines, the wine      needs to be sweeter than the dessert for a perfect balance.


2 glass Albarino

1 glass Virgulilla Negre DO Valencia

1 glass Clos de San Juan DO Utiel – Requena

              This was a Bobal grape, which is the regional variety

1 glass of Mistela from our barrels

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