Spanish Diary.The last Supper.

Plaza Prim.

This is my final instalment from Spain. What a trip it has been. Full of foodie delights, memorable meals and stunning sights. And the people, well the Spanish are warm, friendly, helpful and willing to please. Such a delight.

What I like about the area I chose to visit is that it hasn’t been destroyed by tourism. Let me end by going back to Barcelona. I want to tell you about a fish restaurant I found. I’ve been on a quest to find the best fish restaurant in Barcelona over a few years but this had eluded me. On previous visits to this city I hadn’t managed to find a place which was the Holy Grail for fish. But on this trip that was about to change. I met a man in a bar, as you do, and he told me that his brother who is a chef swears by a place on a square. I got the details and then did some background checks. Things were looking up. It seemed it was a hot tip. It would be nessceary to get a taxi because it was in a odd place.

Earlier in the day I met a delightful New Yorker at the pool. She asks where I’m eating that night and I shared my valuable hot tip. Later that night I hail a taxi at 9pm. 20 minutes later we seem to be heading to a very strange part of the city. It seems implausible that this could be where this amazing restaurant is. The taxi shudders to a halt. The driver waves us down a side street. I get out reluctantly, with family en tow. We walk down a side road and suddenly we are in a small square with trees. Tables spill out onto the square. An elderly momma and poppa check an electronic reservation list. The service is slick and smart. I like this place.

John Dory at Els Pescadors.

My John Dory with burnt butter and capers is sublime. The place is now packed and out of the corner of my eye I spot the New Yorker. She spots me and gives me the thumbs and grins manically. The rest of our food arrives. It’s truly brilliant. Understated with a modern twist but no sissy presentation. I’m loving it.

I fly back to Cape Town tomorrow I wish I could have one more night here. It’s the best fish I’ve had in Barcelona. I‘ve found the Holy Grail. This is it. As I get up to leave I realize most of the customers are Spanish. Now the Americans are waving frantically. I walk over to their table. “Oh Clare!”, she gushes, “We got worried in the taxi, we thought you had sent us on a wild goose chase. But my are we so glad we followed your recommendation. This is the best fish we have eaten in Spain. How did you find out about this place?”

I smile. It’s a long story but it involves a man in a bar.

I’m so delighted. Not alone have we had a great meal but these American have benefitted as well.

I get this region. I understand the people. I feel an empathy in the way in which they view, prepare and eat food. No wonder top chef’s, foodie and holiday makers say this area of Spain is one of the best places for food.

Els Pescadors Prawns.

It’s been a memorable trip. The colour of the sea at Aiguablava. The beaches and coves. Long lunches and late dinners. The whitebait, baby squid, exquisite black sole and my John Dory at  El Pescadores. Dali’s Cadaques, with its winding streets. The local wines, the green olives, the bread and where I started, the food market in Barcelona.

I wouldn’t mind turning around right now and doing it all over again in the opposite direction. But I remind myself I can always come back, and I know I will.  

Els Pescadors

Plaza Prim 1

08005 Barcelona

00 93 225 2018

contade@elspescadors.com