Delicious food with jaw dropping views over the Vall de Laguar!

Our Sunday treat this week was a mountain re-treat... and what a treat it was!

The Hotel Restaurant Alahuar can be found, perched on the top of a mountain, looking down the Vall de Laguar to the Mediterranean Sea. Living here in the Marina Alta, we are a little spoiled for views, but the views from here will knock your socks off!

From the head office of Jacaranda Spain, in Jalón, this is a 25 minute drive. A leisurely, Sunday drive through the beautiful mountain roads and villages of Campell, Fleix and Benimaurell, with views that just keep getting better. The Vall de Laguar is a rugged and dramatic valley, surrounded by the mountains of the Sierra del Cavall Verd (aka the sleeping horse), the Sierra de la Carrasca (or Ebo) and the Sierra del Migdia. The name of the Valley comes from the Arabic "Al Agwar", which means caves. This Valley is studded with caves, famous for the cave paintings, some of which date back to pre-history.

The stunning, natural and man made, wonder of the "Barranco del Infierno", a steep ravine of interest to geologists and archaeologists, is a great attraction to hikers, climbers and canyoners. There is a circular walk around the Barranco, known by seasoned walkers as, the "Cathedral of Hiking". This famous walk involves 6,000 stone steps dating back to the Moors that once occupied this vast mountainous area before the battles with the Christians.

The history is fascinating and the terrain is shouting out to be explored. We vowed to return with Sunny, our 2 year old, pointer cross.

The Hotel Restaurant Alahuar is literally, an "eagles eye view" of all of this splendour! We arrived early and refused a drink on the terrace, in favour of a walk around the grounds, to appreciate the different views from every aspect of the plot.

Although it was a glorious day, under the shade of the terrace, the breeze was a little chilly so we stuck to our inside table. The layout of the restaurant ensures that every seat, at every table, has access to the valley vistas.

We sat down and ordered just before the restaurant started to fill up. Most of the diners were Spanish families this time, but there were other languages to be heard and most of the staff speak perfect English and will offer you an English menu. We were offered the restaurant menu and the menu del "fin de semana" (weekend menu). This is a menu del día with 3 courses, including, bread, dips, olives and cured sausage.

Although the A la Carta menu looked fabulous, we decided that we wanted to try the "paella of the week". This was rice with monkfish, king prawns and squid. So we went for the menu del día.

The starters were absolutely delicious. A Valencian tomato salad with cured bonito of tuna, topped with caramelised pistachios, and an aubergine salad with mozzarella and tomato salsa.

The paella was very tasty and cooked to perfection, slightly caramelised on the bottom, but still with a bite and beautifully tender fish pieces.

Fortunately the courses were perfectly spread out, so we had a break and ordered dessert a good 20 minutes later. There has been a lot of thought and care gone into the menu here and the dessert menu was no different. A typical Xativa dessert, like a large flat profiterole with coffee cream and a chocolate cake with praline cream and ice cream. 

The Hotel Alahuar is a dream destination for a complete battery recharge, a romantic weekend break or a luxury retreat for those hikers that want some excellent food and luxury to rest their weary feet. The service is informal, yet the food has a gourmet feel to it in both the flavour combinations, and the presentation. The reception staff are super friendly and the terraces and grounds invite you in, to stay a while.

We recommend this mountain top retreat very highly. For a beautiful leisurely lunch, a weekend escape, or even, just a cold beer at the end of a stunning, scenic walk. Whatever you do, you are sure to come back for more!

Hotel Restaurant Alahuar, Benimaurell.