La Finca restaurant is located in the outskirt of Elche in a typical Mediterranean setting. The chef/padron is Susi Diaz the autodidact chef, she has opened her place in 1984 and received a Michelin star in 2006.
The dining room has a casual atmosphere with wooden interior and natural light from the huge panoramic windows.
The menu offered two tasting menus at 99 Euro (13 courses) and 119 Euro (17 courses), one “your menu” for 79 Euro (nibbles, 2 starters, 1 main and desserts) as well as the full a la carte choice.
The wine list wasn’t too diverse but it is substantial and very well balanced between the local Spanish wines and some prestigious French wine regions.
The meal has began with a selection of nibbles and a portion of beluga caviar served with butter and blini. From the starter selection our favourite was the squid dish and the bluefin tuna carpaccio. The squid was served with lettuce, peas and garlic mayonnaise, the bluefin tuna carpaccio came with foie and crunchy biscuit. Both dishes were excellently prepared, the peas superb, the tuna delicate.
For mains we have ordered Sirloin with foie and truffle sauce and a very strangely named rice “tuna osso buco” and tuna belly tartare. The rice was lovely, the seasoning perfectly lifted the flavours, this dish was a nice surprise. The sirloin with foie was tender but a bit under seasoned. Three dessert were served. Lemon tartlet macaron with ice cream, chocolates with different textures and a caramelised brioche with greek yoghurt ice cream and coconut soup.
I am not a coconut fan but the elements of this dessert worked out really well together. We have finished our meal with a cheese selection.
Most of the dishes had lot of elements but the chef has really well combined the traditions with the modern touches.
The plating and the table decoration is worth mentioning. Some of the dishes are arriving on Pau Camara ceramic art pieces. The artist is from Altea, creating really beautiful handmade objects.
The waiting staff was attentive and knowledgable about the menu but we have noticed some uncertainty in the service protocol.
All together it was certainly a joyful meal from start to finish. We will be back.