Oliva
Oasis

Oasis

C/ Hort De La Bosca, S/N, 46780, Oliva, Spain

Sushi • Carne • Asiático • Mariscos


"My parents have visited this restaurant multiple times and have had some wonderful meals. It seems that it may have changed hands since their last visit, which was prior to the Covid pandemic though. The restaurant is situated on one of the many roads from the village leading through the orange groves. It has a lovely outside area with a pool and welcomes families with small children as well as adult groups, including those for business meetings. There appears to be no dress code as some people came in their lunch breaks. The decor is eclectic and quirky, although an eye for detail shows a few bits that need attention such as ripped wallpaper and light bulbs that need replacing. Prior to the pandemic you would simply be asked whether you wanted to eat meat or fish and you wouldn't know what you were going to get until it was placed in front of you. Now there is a varied menu, including a list of specials. I didn't see the obligatory menu del dia (in Spain it is a legal requirement for every eatery to provide an affordable menu del dia). My parents both chose croquetas de gambas and I had the Valencian salad. Both parents agreed that their croquetas were some of the best they'd ever tasted (and believe me they have rated many)! The salad was huge and had many ingredients. The restaurant sadly couldn't provide me with a simple balsamic vinegar which would've lifted the salad nicely. If you want the salad, I'd recommend 1 between 2 people. One of my parent's favourite foods is suckling pig, and they were pleased to see suckling pig ribs on the menu. They've eaten these on many an occasion in a variety of restaurants including in Rome and London. All 3 of us ordered them from the menu. When they came, they looked quite dry and were served with a few chips, 3 small cherry tomatoes and 4 peppers which had been roasted. Everything was sprinkled with sea salt flakes making it really quite salty (especially if you prefer not to add salt to your meal). Sadly the ribs were dry, quite tough and virtually tasteless. They were nothing like what suckling pig usually tastes like and we're very disappointing. So much so that my mother couldn't eat hers after trying the first one and left just about everything untouched on her plate. My father left some of his ribs and chips too, which is unheard of. I struggled on with mine but also left some food. When the waitress came to ask if we had enjoyed them, my mother said no and said the ribs were tasteless and dry. The waitress asked my father and I and we also said they weren't good. The waitress called the manageress over and relayed what we had said. The manageress asked what the problem was with the ribs and my mother explained that they were tasteless and dry. That they were nothing like tasty suckling pig ribs should be like. Suckling pig is full of flavour and tender these were not. She explained that she couldn't eat them. The manageress proceeded to tell my mother that it was the way they were cooked and that my mother was wrong. She suggested that baby pigs were so young that they didn't have time to develop flavour what did my mother expect from a baby pig? As she was talking, her voice escalated and she was animated. There were many people at the tables around us who could all hear what she was saying and how she was saying it. My mother explained that she knew what suckling pig tastes like as she had eaten it many times, and that it shouldn't taste like our have the texture of the ribs we had been served. The manageress again told my mother that it was how they were supposed to be. My mother said, well if they have no flavour like you suggest is correct, then why on earth are they on the menu? The way my mother was spoken to was appalling. My parents are both in their 80s and have travelled the world many times and have eaten in top restaurants as well as eaten street food. They know how things should taste and, most of the time, how things should be cooked. They certainly know how their favourite food should taste, and the consistency of it. On this occasion it was not correct, hence why they didn't and couldn't eat it. What we did not expect was someone to lecture my elderly parents in front of the whole restaurant in an obnoxious manner and at increasing volume into how it should be and how they were wrong. My mother was so upset that, after consideration, she wanted to complain. In Spain it is a legal requirement that all restaurants must have a complaints book. This is inspected regularly. She therefore completed the relevant forms in the book. Sadly, this experience means my parents feel that they can no longer go back to one of their favourite restaurants in Oliva."

La Goleta

La Goleta

Avenida Mar Mediterraneo 7, 46780, Oliva, Spain

Pizza • Helado • Español • Asiático


"Tu que llegaste por casualidad Descubrimos Oliva un verano que tardamos tanto en decidimos que estaban ya pillados todos los destinos que teníamos en la lista. Cuando le comenté a una compañera del trabajo que finalmente íbamos este pueblo del Levante, me recomendó que probáramos sin falta este restaurante donde ellos comieron una paella de escándalo, y encima tiene una estrella Michelín , bueno quiso decir que lo recomienda en la guía Michelín . La Goleta es un sitio especial, como Olivia, y se nota desde que cruzas la puerta. Es un restaurante pequeño con apenas siete mesas, tres más si cuentas las que están en la terraza. Desde fuera no tiene apenas diferencias con cualquiera de las otras casas colindantes. Unicamente una vela con el nombre del restaurante señala que has llegado al sitio correcto. Para los horarios también son un tanto particulares, aunque se están reformando. Hasta este año sólo podías comer y ahora ya han empezado a dar cenas también. Nada más entrar, a la izquierda de la barra, te saludan desde una discreta foto Juanra y Marta, los dos artífices de este proyecto de restauración. Es una foto tomada en un día especial, podría ser la inauguración, un aniversario, cuando les mencionaron por primera vez en la guía Michelín, cuando ganaron algún premio o vete saber tú, a lo mejor fue un día corriente, lo que está claro es que fue en uno de esos momentos en los que piensas Lo hemos conseguido, lo hicimos y aquí estamos , y vaya que si lo lograron. Ambos están súper sonriente, el fondo desdibujado, y él te apunta con el dedo, no se si diciendo que tú puedes también ser el siguiente, o si dándote las gracias por el apoyo prestado. El caso es que está foto te da la seguridad de que aquí todo va a salir bien. En nuestro caso, se han convertido en visita obligada. En los entrantes ya empieza la fiesta. Tienes dos opciones: la más creativa con una selección de carpaccios de carne o mariscos, salmon marinado, pez mantequilla al curry verde, ensaladas de mollejas o de ventresca, tapa de pasta de brie rellena mil cosas, alita de pollo en salsa agridulce, zamburiñas o vieras, atún al estilo oriental, y foie con huevo de codorniz. O te puedes decantar por opciones más clásicas como calamares, sepia, pulpo, marisco y habitas. En los segundos nosotros vamos a piñón fijo: arroz, arroz, arroz con lo que no me puedo aventurar en recomendar las carnes o los pescados. Eso sí, los platos que he visto pasar tenían una pinta deliciosa. De la carta de arroces, una mención especial para el arroz a banda que posiblemente sea uno de los mejores que he comido. Del póster poco que decir ya que llegamos siempre tan tan llenos que no solemos pedir. Dos recomendaciones para finalizar. La primera, que es casi obligatorio reservar, y si es para un fin de semana, además, con tiempo. No he visto a nadie que haya comido sin reserva, y ya son unos cuantos los que se han dado la vuelta. Segunda, en este sitio el tiempo transcurre lentamente, así que paciencia."