You sit down, they give you the menu, and the doubts begin: is this for one or to share?, what does «according to market» mean?, how many croquettes does a portion bring? Reading a menu well saves you from ordering too much or staying hungry, and also from surprises on the bill. In this guide, we explain how to interpret a typical menu of brewery in Dénia (and of almost any restaurant), using El Mosset's as an example.
First, look at how it's organized
Before reading dishes, look at the sections. A well-ordered menu tells you a lot about the place and how one eats there. The El Mosset menu, for example, is divided into eleven chapters:
- House Sandwiches
- And the whole sandwich family
- Toasts with tomato and EVOO
- Tomatoes from La Marina or El Perelló
- From the sea and the bar
- Iberian products, cheeses, and garden
- Stews and meats
- Traditional cuisine and rice dishes
- House roasts
- Tasting menus
- Homemade desserts
Just with that index you already know that it's a place where you can have a sandwich almuerzo, have tapas at the bar or eat spoon dishes and roasts.
Tapa, ración and media: the great misunderstanding
It's the most common doubt. In general:
- Tapa: small portion, for tasting or for one person.
- Half serving: in menus that have it, an intermediate size.
- Serving: large portion, intended for sharing.
Each establishment indicates it in its own way. At El Mosset, when a dish has two prices separated by a slash, the first is the tapa and the second is the serving. Some examples:
| Dish | Price | How to read |
|---|---|---|
| Tomato with avocado, garlic and onion | 5,50 / 8,50 € | Tapa 5.50 € · serving 8.50 € |
| Dénia anchovies, grilled or fried | 7,00 / 12,00 € | Tapa 7.00 € · serving 12.00 € |
| National cheese board | 9,00 / 17,00 € | Tapa 9.00 € · serving 17.00 € |
| Iberian acorn-fed ham | 19,00 / 32,00 € | Tapa 19.00 € · serving 32.00 € |
When a dish has a single price, it's a single measure.
Units, grams, and people
Many menus indicate how much the dish contains. It's worth paying attention, because it tells you if it's for one or for the table:
- Units: «House croquettes «gluten-free», 2 units» (4.50 €) or «Mushroom stuffed with camembert and lacón, 2 pcs.» (6.80 €). If there are four of you, you might want to order two.
- Grams: «Simmental beef sirloin steak, 250 g» (25.00 €). The weight gives you a clear idea of the size of the piece.
- Servings: «Potato omelette made to order, 4 servings» (18.00 €). It's for sharing.
- People: «Whole roasted rack of ribs (2 or 3 people)» (50.00 €). The dish already tells you how many it's for.
Words worth understanding
«Market price»
It means that the price changes according to the cost of the product that day. On El Mosset's menu, it appears for the roasted suckling pig. Ask for the price before ordering: it's normal and no one gets annoyed.
«By prior order»
El plato se prepara solo si se pide con antelación. En El Mosset, los arroces, el puchero y los asados se encargan con un día de antelación. Lo explicamos en detalle en la guía del arroz por encargo en Dénia.
«Made to order»
It's cooked when you order it, like the potato omelette made to order. It might take a little longer, but it comes out freshly made.
«Per person» Menus
The menu price is multiplied by the diners. In El Mosset, additionally, the house menus son para un mínimo de 2 personas, hay un único menú por mesa y las bebidas no están incluidas. Te ayudamos a elegir en la guía de sharing menus.
Small product glossary
Menus use terms that are not always explained. These are some that appear on El Mosset's menu:
- EVOO: extra virgin olive oil.
- «00» Anchovies: the mark of the fillet's size; the «00» are among the largest.
- Recebo and Bellota Iberian: indicate how the Iberian pig has been fed in its last phase. The "bellota" (acorn-fed), only with acorns and pastures; the "recebo" (grain-fed), with acorns and feed.
- Simmental cow: a bovine breed appreciated for its meat.
- Capellán: small salted and dried fish, typical of the Valencian coast, which is flame-toasted.
- Mojama and roe: salted tuna and fish roe.
- Escalivada: roasted vegetables (pepper, eggplant, onion) peeled and seasoned.
- Figatells: a type of Valencian hamburger made of liver and pork wrapped in omentum.
- Black and white: Valencian sausages, white longaniza and black morcilla.
- All-i-oli: the garlic and oil sauce.
How much to order: a simple rule
There isn't an exact formula, because it depends on the hunger and the dish. But this guidance works in most breweries:
- For a snack before eating: one or two small *tapas* per person.
- For a *tapas* dinner for two: three or four dishes as *tapas*, and add as you go.
- To share among four: three or four full portions to start and, if necessary, something more.
- For almuerzo: one sandwich per person and, if you like, something to snack on for the center.
Most important: order in batches. It's better to add a dish than to leave half the table full.
Typical ordering mistakes (and how to avoid them)
Ordering everything as a full portion
If there are two of you and you order five full portions, there will definitely be leftover food. When there's a *tapa* option, use it to try more things.
Ordering everything at once
Dishes arrive together, get cold, and the table gets full. Order cold dishes first, then hot ones, and save the second order for when you see how you're doing.
Repeating the same type of dish
Three fried dishes in a row get tiring. Combine: something from the bar, something from the grill, something from the garden, and, if you're hungry, something with a spoon.
Not asking what you don't understand
If you don't know what *figatells* are or what's in a sandwich with a movie name, ask. Nobody expects you to know the menu by heart.
Forgetting what needs to be ordered in advance
If you fancy a rice dish or a roast, you have to order it in advance. Arriving the same day and ordering it at the table is usually not possible.
Other details worth looking at
- If VAT is included. At El Mosset, the menu prices include VAT.
- The supplements. For example, gluten-free bread in sandwiches has a supplement of 1,50 €.
- The allergen warning. Si tienes alguna alergia o intolerancia, pregunta antes de pedir. Si es tu caso, lee nuestra guía para comer sin gluten en Dénia.
- Dishes with proper names. At El Mosset, the sandwiches have movie names: the name doesn't tell you what's in it, so always look at the description. You can find them in the section of house sandwiches.
With these keys, any menu reads much better. And if you have any doubts at the table, ask: in a Dénia brewery like El Mosset, explaining the menu is part of the service.
Frequently asked questions
What does it mean for a dish to have two prices?
On El Mosset's menu, dishes with two prices are for *tapa* and *ración*. For example, the national cheese board costs 9,00 / 17,00 €: 9,00 € for the *tapa* and 17,00 € for the *ración*.
What does "according to market" mean?
That the price depends on what the product costs at that moment. At El Mosset, this happens with roast suckling pig: ask for the price before ordering it.
What does "AOVE" mean?
Extra virgin olive oil, the highest quality olive oil.
What is the difference between *recebo* and acorn-fed ham?
It refers to the feeding of Iberian pigs in their last phase: acorn-fed pigs eat acorns and pastures during the *montanera*; *recebo* pigs combine acorns with feed. That's why acorn-fed is usually more expensive.
How much to order to share among four?
As a guide, start with three or four full portions and order more if you run short. It's always better to add than to leave food on the table.
Do menu prices include VAT?
Yes, at El Mosset the menu prices include VAT.
Stop by and ask whatever you want
Book a table at the 966 42 54 16 or place your order at the 649 526 234. You can also book from the website, see our contact or open the full menu and practice before coming.
