"It has been a couple of years since our last visit, due to Covid and post Brexit travel restrictions. But whenever we venture over to Cartagena for the shops, we try to time our return so that we can stop at the Venta d'Paso for lunch. The staff all seemed to be different from the long serving ones of our previous visits, so we are wondering whether the business has changed hands. There have been other changes, too, in that the Menu del Dia has been simplified a bit, I assume to be able to keep it at its bargain price of 10€, including a drink. There is no longer a salad to start; and you now get a glass of wine, instead of being left with the bottle! For first course we had Revuelta of vegetables. Not a huge portion, but very tasty. Then we had roast chicken with chips and Alioli. Again, the chicken was really tasty, although I could have done with a few more chips and they could have been a bit warmer. The only slightly annoying thing was that our chicken was served up before we had finished our Revuelta. This is something that used to happen often in Spanish restaurants, but we have not really experienced it in recent years. We finished with Pan de Calatrava, which is always one of my favourites and then added coffees, to bring our total bill to 22.40€. A bargain! What I like, still, about this restaurant is that it is so authentically Spanish. When we visit we are usually the only non Spanish people and, as the staff do not speak English, we have to sort out our understanding of the menu. Sometimes in the past this has caused us some surprise when what we have got was not entirely what we expected! But the food has always been good. The other novelty is that it is the only place I know that now preserves the custom of marking the receipt of a tip with the ringing of a bell, to let everybody know! Sometimes a little embarrassing, but it always brings a smile to my face. We shall continue stopping here for lunch whenever we can."
