I often see the same old, same old menus shared on Facebook, but a few such as La Naviera, look really interesting, mainly due to offering different dishes to most. This was one of the reasons we took the drive down to Torrevieja today, to have lunch here. They are active on their Facebook page, which is good to see.
We’d booked the table for 1.30 but wanted to arrive well in advance to ensure we could find a parking spot. Actually, this fell into place quite nicely, as just along the road a car was pulling out from a place so I nipped in there and parked up.
What We Had At La Naviera Torrevieja
We both went for the menu del dia and Soph had a Coke Zero to drink while I went for a large glass of beer. We were brought out a small platter with bread on. Although the bread was nice, fresh, and soft, it could have been served with aioli and tomato, as is done in most restaurants.
Starters
The first thing I’d seen on the menu was the steamed mussels, and as I adore seafood, this was my choice. But I also liked the look of the mixed croquettes and was tempted to try these, especially as this restaurant isn’t on the Croquette Week in Torrevieja event. Anyway, a toss of the coin and the mussels won. Soph ordered the meat cannelloni.
The mussels were nice, and a squeeze of lemon added to their taste. Soph said her pasta starter was okay, but it had probably come from Chef Mike, as the starters were served very quickly, and her dish was very, very hot.
Mains
Soph went for the paella, which was tasty but was a little lacking in the seafood ingredients sadly. I went for the meat option that had taken my eye, the Milanese pork steak cachopo, with cured ham and Manchego cheese. This was a nice and large portion, served with some chips. The chips had been seasoned, but the rest would have benefitted from the same.
Dessert
Soph chose well here. She had the cheesecake and loved it. I wanted to try something different, so I went for the Tiramasu Cake, which was fine. I’m not really a dessert person, so I’m often underwhelmed by desserts ( unless it’s a cheesecake or a cheese board ).
What We Liked At Restaurant La Naviera
Friendly service, very welcoming and polite.
What Could Be Improved
There’s not a lot to suggest apart from the bread could be served with tomato and alioli. Had my mussels been in a sauce, then this would have been fine, but as they were just steamed there was nothing to dip the bread into or mop up.
How Much Was Lunch
Lunch including a drink each, cost €29.30. What I also like here is although I ordered a large beer, they only charged me for a cana ( small beer ) and factored in the other small beer as part of my menu del dia.
Would We Return To La Naviera
If we were in Torrevieja in that area and there was parking places nearby, then yes we possibly would do so, especially on a different day, to try one of their other menu del dia offerings.
That being said, there is a hotel/restaurant just down the street, where we’d called in for a swift drink before lunch and they have a good menu selection. Across the busy road from the hotel was a bar/restaurant which was very busy too, so we’d possibly be tempted to try somewhere new if we were in town.
How To Find La Naviera Restaurant Torrevieja
Unless you know the area, Satnav is essential.
Follow CV-895 and then onto CV-905 to C. Apolo in Torrevieja but you’ll go through 9 or 10 roundabouts.
Continue to C. d Manuel Martinez Guirao Turn right onto C. Apolo and the Naviera is on your right, across from the BP petrol station
The address is : 91 Calle Apolo, Torrevieja, Spain
Should you need to call, their number is 965 03 37 46
