Amazing view and decent food with poor service: Restaurant La Sucursal (10. September 2021)

The La Sucursal looked incredibly promising but that impression changed quite quickly. It’s located on the third floor of one of the buildings in the marina and offers you quite a nice view all over the harbor. However, the access is rather complicated, i.e., it’s not very clear where you have to go and only after asking three different people we finally made it up to the restaurant. Admittedly, a bit earlier than originally booked but it was still a bit of a mess when arriving and it took them a bit to adjust (which is still fine).

There is a ‘tasting menu’ (EUR 95.00) and ‘wine pairing’ which you can pick but what was served did not reflect what was prepared. And I’m not talking about one dish differing from what is on the menu but actually more or less every single dish being different. Now, I get the idea that you work with “fresh ingredients” and all and actually appreciate that but frankly, if you nowadays only offer digital menus anyways I do wonder why you would not be able to change the menu and adjust it to the day’s special.

In any case, the evening started with a “cockle salad and sea lettuce” which was decent to start and especially the side drink which was a special interpretation of a “pisco sour” was enjoyable.

The second amuse bouche was “cockle, lime and ginger water infusion” which was generally enjoyable too – especially when you would dig into it and go with the spoon to the ground, it created a nice mixture of different flavors and textures.

The first official course of the evening was a “cod skin, brandade and fermented kumquat” which was nicely crunchy and lovely in terms of mixture of textures and intensity of flavor.

The “cod tripe stew” which followed after this was not entirely as amazing as it sounded on the menu – since it said carpaccio I was a bit disappointed that their carpaccio apparently consists of three entire mussels.

The next course, a “cold pickle squid with cumin and beet”, however, was absolutely delicious. I loved the combination of different flavors and textures and the seafood was actually exquisite.

Next in line was “prawn and marcona almond gazpachuelo” which was absolutely enjoyable.

The “Norway lobster with pistachio and coconut suquet” on the other hand did not reach the same level of tastiness as the previous dish.

Luckily, the last fish course was a highlight again – the “smoked sea bass with pilpil and pickled fennel” was especially enjoyable due to the sauce over the fish. Smooth, intense, yet not overwhelming.

The “slow cooked beef ribs with sweet potato” turned out to be great in terms of taste, respectively consistency. The sweet potato on the side did it’s trick as well – however, for the expected quality, the element of surprise was completely lacking in this course.

The “our version of lemon pie” was something I liked – but mainly because it was lemon and I love lemon together with toffee cream.

What makes the place truly amazing is the view you have from up there all over the harbor. Just make sure you come here before sunset since then you have a chance to enjoy the full beauty of it from your table.

Since, it is really quite beautiful and worth seeing. So, even if the restaurants opens at 8pm and usually no one would eat that early in Spain, it’s worth breaking with that ‘tradition’ to get a view of the harbour and the sunset.

When it comes to the service, I must say they are friendly but far from professional. The waitress who attended the table would just basically read from what she memorized – but poorly. I get it, people have to learn and to study how it’s properly done, but somehow I would expect a bit more for that price plus the fact that you offer a wine pairing and then you basically share the information which is on the label is not really what I would expect from a great place. All in all, not a place to return when it comes to the food but a place to return when it comes to the sunset view.

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Contact Details:

Restaurant La Sucursal

Planta 3, Edificio Veles e Vents

46024 La Marina de Valencia (E)

Tel.: +34 9 63 74 66 65

Homepage: https://veleseventsvalencia.es/la-sucursal

About the Author: Sven

I started the blog in October 2009, while living in Milan which I definitely consider to be one of the food capitals of the world. I was in touch with food since my early childhood (as my father is a former chef). Whenever I can, I travel the world to discover new places, to meet people but mostly to try local dishes and to find hidden gems! If you know a place worth going, please drop a line to: info@thediningexperience.org. Currently, I am a member of the following food-related associations: Chevalier @Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Zurich-Ville; Membre Gourmet Dégustateur @Ordre Mondial des Gourmets Dégustateurs [OMGD]; Gesellschafter @Goldener Fisch and Member @Slowfood Convivium Zurich City.