Alicante Recovers Its Traditional Seafaring Essence with Las Chapas Bar

Many years ago, Alicante grew between the Mediterranean Sea and Mount Benacantil. In the shadow of the Santa Bárbara Castle, what would become one of Spain's largest cities developed, creating the neighborhoods of Santa Cruz and Casco Antiguo, and embracing the waves at the beach, the Raval Roig was forged. Here, fishermen and seamen settled, venturing out daily on their boats for almadraba fishing. It was here, 70 years ago, that the bar Las Chapas was born.

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It was a refuge where fishermen would come to enjoy some wine at the end of the day, leaving part of their catch for Ramón, the original owner, to cook and serve. It was here that the true seafaring atmosphere, which helped develop Alicante, thrived.

Years later, after a second stint in Carolinas, the original spirit is revived in its new location on Altamira Street, next to the Town Hall Square, by Grupo Pis Pas. Its partners, Elisardo Antonín and Juan Miguel Cifuentes, have brought back parts of the original Las Chapas, such as the maritime mosaic that greets diners upon arrival.

Not only does the mosaic recall its origins, but also the old photographs they have recovered, telling stories of fishermen and the Raval Roig, of the Alicante that once was, with agricultural roots and fishing nets. "We spoke with Ramón when he retired after an operation, and he gave us the name and the painting," explains Antolín, a seasoned restaurateur from the bar of Nou Manolín, who in recent years has focused on his personal project.

Grupo Pis Pas also owns Iruña, in Los Luceros Square, and a restaurant of the same name in PAU 5. Their expansion plans include a second Iruña near the General Hospital and the new Las Chapas, recently opened after months of extensive renovation.

The venue is a large bar in blue and white, the colors of Alicante's flag. In reality, Las Chapas is a grand homage to Alicante, its seafaring essence, and the most traditional and authentic Alicante tapas. In times of globalization, tradition can be a revolutionary choice. This is the spirit it offers: authentic, well-crafted product cuisine.

On the counters, the finest Mediterranean produce (prawns, scampi, cuttlefish, squid...) is mixed with Atlantic treasures, Galician seafood hard to find on the other side of the country, such as their excellent diving razor clams, cockles, or mussels. No disguises, just efficient preparations that highlight the taste of the sea.

No haute cuisine tapas, but homely ones. A must-try at Las Chapas is the marine pizza, a mince of Alicante salted fish with tomato; also the octopus salad. Some meats like sweetbreads or top-notch tenderloin sandwiches. For desserts, a delicious nougat flan, a recipe from the original Las Chapas with homemade whipped cream, and a more popular cheesecake.

Las Chapas revives the taste of the most authentic Alicante, once a seafaring village grown under the protection of the Moor's Face.