We returned to Blissful Bites in Benijófar last night, after visiting a couple of weeks ago with friends. I’m reluctant to start taking photos of meals, when we have company with us, hence our return trip.
Now this was the best curry I have had in Spain, from a restaurant that is still going and thriving. For those who know me, I’m originally from near Bradford, been eating curries 40 something years, so know a little bit about curry from Bradford as well as India, Goa and the Far East.
Why did I add the bit about ‘still going’? Well, we had a meal a couple of years ago that I raved about, at the restaurant called FireClay, who sadly vanished and closed down after 3 or 4 months. They had the most amazing menu, sadly when we tried to rebook, they were not replying to phone calls, text messages or Facebook messages.
An Elevated Dish.
There are not that many ‘curry huses’ out here who offer unique dishes. I’d say 99% are catering for the Chicken Korma, Chicken Madras, Beef Vindaloo , Chicken Tikka Masala eater.
This is why it really is a pleasure to find what I’d say is an ‘elevated dish’, ie something unique / different that is done well.
On our last visit I had the Lamb Rara while Soph had the Chicken Balchao. Both these dishes were stunningly tasty.
What We Had
On our first visit we did the usual starter, main and 2 or 3 drinks. I left stuffed, and this was without any dessert. So this time, we skipped a starter as such and had Popadums.
This time for the drinks, I had a tanque of draft beer, Soph was driving and had a large water.
For the food I had the Lamb Rara, once again. This time I asked for a cheese naan but asked if they could add chillies into it.
Soph went for a different dish, opting for the Chicken Manchurian where she had a garlic naan with this.
What We Liked
Friendly and welcoming service throughout the meal. There are two outdoor dining areas, with shade as well as inside the restaurant.
The highlight of the visit was the food. Both our curry dishes were exceptionally good. These are not curries with a generic sauce and a slight tweak for each dish. There’s no gluppy sauce as if it’s straight out of a jar. With these curries you’re trying to work out all the different ingredients that have been combined to give the amazing taste.
What Could Be Improved
A personal preference here, we’d made a reservation for the two of us, for indoors. We were allocated a table for two. The style of the table means there’s no way to sit with your legs under the table. Fine for me, as I could sit with my legs straddling the base, but Soph found it a little uncomfortable, not having legroom.
What Did it Cost?
Our bill came to 42,00€.
Poppadoms were €1.95 and our curries were €12.50 for the Lamb Rara and €11.95 for the Chicken Manchurian.
The breads were €3.95 each.
Drinks came in at €3.75 for the beer while the large water was €2.95
Would We Return To Blissful Bites Benijófar
This is a definate yes. The curries are exceptional. Full of flavour, fresh and these are dishes you won’t find on most menus.
One reason we have not been here before was I tend to avoid restaurants that offer English food, pizza, curries and everything inbetween. So when i saw they did curry, pizza and burgers, I never considered visiting.
This being the case, when you see some of these special dishes, my mind was changed.
One thing to consider, if you’re used to an €11 menu del dia, then these dishes are not on that menu. They do a set lunch menu option though.
How To Get To Blissful Bites At Benisol, Benijófar
If you’re coming from Quesada, head out on the CV-905a past Mercadona supermarket and you’ll see the Benisol centre in front of you at the next roundabout.
Coming up from Benijofar, drive up the Av. Federíco García Lorca, and just past Hamiltons on the right, you’ll see the new builds and centre on your left. Double back around on yourself almost at the roundabout. There is parking on C. Cristóbal Colón and a little car park there too.
Their address is: BENISOL COMMERCIAL SPACE, C. Alfonso XIII, no 2, 03178 Benijófar, Alicante.
They have a quite active Facebook page and if you are there earlyish evening, you’ll see some nice sunsets too.
