24/7 Valencia: Could you tell us something about the history and origins of La Martinuca?

Spokesperson Víctor Naranjo: La Martinuca was born from something quite simple. One day we realized that the tortilla, which is probably the dish that best represents all Spaniards, was not being given all the prominence, or even the respect, it has always deserved. And we said: hey, what if instead of inventing or competing in categories like burgers or pizza, we create a brand around the Spanish tortilla?

That’s how ‘La Martinuca’ was born, a tribute to Grandma Martina, but also to all the homes and restaurants where tortillas have been made all their lives. We just wanted to take up that mantle and treat it as it deserves.

• What is La Martinuca’s philosophy?

That something simple, if you do it well, is unbeatable. There’s no trickery here, there’s real product, technique, and repeating it the same way every day, which is the real challenge. And in Valencia, this is very well understood. You see it, for example, with the “esmorzaret”, something that you have very ingrained and in time the rest of the cities will look favourably on a well-made sandwich mid-morning. If you think about it, you don’t need to complicate things if what you do is really tasty.

• Why Valencia?

Because Valencia has standards, as we were saying before. Here people eat well and know what is well done and what is not. It’s a city that’s very focused on product, very much about the bar scene, very much about enjoying without posing, and, moreover, there’s a very high gastronomic level. Key figures like Ricard Camarena have set the bar very high. If we’re doing well in the ‘Terreta’(our land), then we’re on the right track.

• What makes your tortilla so special?

That we don’t do anything strange, and that we do it without losing the essence of my grandmother. The potato at its crunchy point, the characteristic texture of the egg, plus we use pasteurized shell eggs, which provides safety without losing flavour, and, above all, making it at the moment. There are no extra ingredients here, or tortillas waiting around. We always define our tortillas as: thin, golden on the outside and juicy on the inside. Having said that, and after all that’s been said, the key is to repeat it every day.

• Could you recommend some other delicious tapas to accompany a tortilla?

The tortilla comes first, that’s clear, but it’s more enjoyable well accompanied. We always say that the tortilla should be the star of the table and from there we build the table or the bar. There are all kinds of accompaniments, for breakfast a toast with tomato with the pincho, and for lunch and dinner, from a gilda, a Russian salad, croquettes, torreznos, and in short… simple products and dishes.

• What drinks do you serve?

What you fancy in a bar like the ones we’ve always known. From a specialty coffee, from Toma Café, in the morning, to a well-pulled beer, a good vermouth, or a wine later in the day. And here in Valencia, we’ve also made certain nods with very successful Valencian wines that customers are increasingly appreciating, and of course Túria, the local beer. As you can see, in the end it’s about accompanying the tortilla well, not complicating it.

• Is your clientele cosmopolitan?

Yes, and it’s quite curious to see. People come from here who have been around all their lives, and of all ages, who know perfectly well what a well-made tortilla is. But there are also tourists who try it and are a little shocked, because perhaps it’s not what they expected. If you realize, when something is done with love, as it happens in so many bars and restaurants in Spain, it doesn’t matter where you’re from, you leave delighted.

• What are your plans for the future?

To grow, but without losing our way. To open more, yes, but only if we can maintain the level. If a tortilla is not up to the expected standard because we’ve opened more, it’s not worth it, and it’s somewhat dangerous. We always say that this is not about having many bars, it has more to do with our customers coming, returning, and being prescribers of our tortillas. We value this last part daily because it is a critical indicator to know that today we are still on the right track.

 Interview by Will McCarthy

Article copyright ‘24/7 Valencia’

La Martinuca

Plaça de Cánovas del Castillo, 10

L’Eixample, 46005 València

Open from Monday to Sunday from 08.30h – 00.00h

La Martinuca Website: https://www.lamartinuca.com