Il Mondo Trattoria- serving up authentic Italian fare with convivial hosts in a charming, old school Italian restaurant setting!

Here in the office of Jacaranda Spain, we regularly discuss our weekend gastronomic experiences and this week we had a new one to talk about. We like to pass on our recommendations to our friends and clients and this weekends dining experience has been added to our list of favourite eateries! There are lots of very good places to eat in the Vall de Pop (Jalon Valley) and in our neighbouring towns nearer the coast, but it was wonderful to be able to walk into town without thinking about who the designated driver was going to be. Of course there are several very good Italian restaurants within close proximity but after a recommendation from our neighbours we decided to give this new venture a go.

Il Mondo Trattoria is a charming new restaurant which has opened on the ground floor of “El Karmelet” guest house, right in the heart of the Spanish pueblo of Jalón. A lovely walk through the streets took us into the towns Plaza Mayor and around the corner to the restaurant. As it was a lovely evening, there were families out for evening drinks and tapas. The atmosphere was just perfect, as was the weather, so we happily took a table outside.

We were seated at the table and ordered drinks.

“At Il Mondo, we believe in serving authentic Italian cuisine that transports you straight to Italy. Every dish is crafted with passion, using fresh ingredients and traditional recipes that celebrate the rich culinary heritage of Italy.”

The head man at the restaurant is Massimo and his wife Argentina is the head chef. Massimo has years of experience and a large family in the same business. The family also own a great Italian food supplier and Gourmet shop, near La Marina shopping centre in Ondara and this is where they source their ingredients which are shipped in from Italy. Massimo was the perfect host. He was happy to give us his time and knowledge to help us make our choices. 

We began with a medley of starters that Massimo recommended. Vitello Tonnato- veal with a tuna sauce on a bed of rocket with a balsamic dressing, Buffalo Mozzarella salad and Parmigiana di Melanzane- Aubergine roasted in tomato and basil sauce with melted mozzarella and parmesan cheese. This was accompanied by the garlic cheese focaccia, a homemade bread with fresh herbs and basil cream. 

We decided on sharing three main courses between four of us and we chose a pizza with two halves (half pepperoni and half ham and mushroom). This came along with two pasta dishes; spaghetti carbonara and lasagna.

Although we really should have stopped there, we ordered two desserts to share. This was all washed down with two bottles of house white, (of course it was Italian), coffee and Limoncello or Grappa. 

All of the food was excellent but for me the two highlights were the Aubergine starter and the Carbonara. The aubergine starter should come with a warning as it is very filling, especially mopped up with the heavenly, home baked focaccia! The Carbonara deserves a very special mention. It was totally authentic and simply- the best I have ever tasted. Massimo told us that the sauce is cooked using Guanciale- do NOT confuse this with bacon, and egg yolks ( The uneducated Italian cook will use cream, much to the disgust of any Italian chef worth their salt!) Guanciale is cured pork made from the cheeks of a pig. It has a lot of fat on it which melts as it cooks and gives the sauce of the Carbonara a sweeter taste, rather than the harsh saltiness of bacon. 

Il Mondo Trattoria is literally taking the village by storm, judging by the reviews which are 5/5 almost every time. The food was superb, the ambience and the service faultless and the bill was a pleasant surprise. All in all, we had a fabulous Saturday evening with many thanks to Massimo, Argentina and all of the other lovely waiters.  I have a table already booked for my next visit and I can unreservedly recommend this restaurant. 

Click on the link to look at the menu and how to reserve your table https://ilmondo-trattoria.eu/

Most supermarkets, outside of Italy, don´t sell  guanciale which is why the Italian delicatessan in Ondara is such a great discovery if you like cooking Italian food and you don´t want to make compromises. Delicias de Italia started as a supplier to the restaurant trade but during the covid pandemic, in an effort to stay afloat when restaurants were closed, they opened up the Gourmet Shop. They sell; fresh pasta, artisanal sauces, cheese, cured meats, wine and so much more.