Why ‘Anita Giro’ you ask?

Anita Giro

Indeed, the name is a play on words of the Bonnie Tyler song ‘I Need a Hero.’ Now that’s a good sign!!! Set on a side street of the old town, it is only a stone’s throw from the Torres de Quart so pretty damn easy to find. Since opening in September of 2009, it would be fair to say that ‘Anita Giro’ is somewhere that has really earned its stripes.

Various members of the ‘24/7 Valencia’ team have been popping in regularly for a beer and their mostly Mediterranean tapas with an international touch over the years. It’s a liberal mix of clientele, tasty cuisine and it has a rather distinctive buzz that sets it apart from its generic counterparts. Incidentally, it’s LGBT-friendly too…

There is a long terrace outside that is often busy and the arty interior is an unpretentious mix of styles with a historic wall at the back and vintage-style long bar, black high stools, low chairs & modern white tables for dining.

You can also enjoy displays of paintings with-a-bit-of-spark by local artists. As you enter, there is a zone to browse the local newspapers & magazines and flyers for what’s on…

We have always been treated well by the welcoming staff, some of whom speak English and their menus are conveniently in either Spanish or English. There is an international vibe to this place and it is still very much the local popular hangout with open-minded creatives of the city and its surroundings. It’s a tolerant place and there is a sense of freedom here that only adds to its appeal.

The last time we visited, Valencia was still very warm despite being early autumn… so we ordered a couple of glasses of ‘Frutos Villar’ white wine from Valladolid (8.50€ a bottle), which was 2€ a glass. It was fairly fruity and had quite a bit of body and it lasted us the whole evening.

Anita Giro

For starters, we went for two ‘crunchy spinach rolls’(6.50€ in total) which turned out to be a perfect combination with the mushrooms, pine nuts and gorgonzola complementing the ‘espinaca’ beautifully and was ‘buenissima’ in the experienced opinion of our Spanish speaking companion at the table.

On to the main course and we were intrigued to try the ‘Beef ribs’(11.50€) for the first time ever and we were not disappointed. Beautifully presented with sweet potato shavings, the meat was rich and lovingly tender and the well-prepared barbecue sauce was just right…so we really took our time savouring this filling dish.

We were well sated by our main course but we chose to share a recommended dessert, which was the ‘Cheese cake.’ It was a delicious creation to look at as well as wind the evening down with and the white chocolate syrup and yoghurt giving it a smooth edge, combining nicely with the red fruits ice-cream.

There are seafood choices like Octopus and Langostine dishes and their ‘cod croquettes with red pepper mayo’ is a favourite with locals. Vegetarians are well catered for too with healthy salads and aubergine, wild mushroom and avocado combinations as well as white bean hummus and succulent vegetable samosas.

Their ‘tapas to share’ choice is ample and attractively-presented with choices like ‘Brie with honey and pine nuts’ as well as an ample ‘Cheese board’ and tasty ‘Bravas’ and so much more. Amongst our favourite ‘Toast with toppings’ is the ‘Goat’s cheese with tomato marmalade.’ Perhaps a more Valencian choice would be their rather special ‘Monkfish pitta with lettuce, spicy tomato, feta and yoghurt.’ It’s worth mentioning that care is taken to present all their dishes with artistic flair as well as having the freshest ingredients.

The quietly charismatic and very well-travelled owner Puri tells us that ‘Anita Giro’ is now opening every Sunday from midday. This is so you can meet up for Vermouth with their tapas of fresh seafood & fish straight from the port!

We’ll be back soon and we really recommend that you check it out too!

24/7 Valencia team

ANITA GIRO
C/Pintor Domingo, 7
(Near Torres de Quart)
Zona Centro Historico
Tel:96 1133418
Movil:664 46 84 08
Facebook Anita Giro
Open everyday from 17h

Spanish Red Wines & White Wines :8.50€ -13€ a bottle (2€-2.30€ a glass)
Salads & Carpaccios:9€ -10.50€
Main dishes:11.50€ -12€
Desserts: 4.50€
Tapas to share:5€-8.50€
Toast with toppings and pittas:5.50€ -7.90€
Wide selection of Gins:5€-8€
Vermouth: 3.20€-4€