Take sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, a dose of culture,
sporting activities beautiful natural parks, oh and shopping. Add to the
mix great wine and food and you soon discover why Costa Barcelona is a dream
destination.
 |
| View from the Hotel Restaurant Sol i Vi |
Catalonia has a reputation for its excellent gastronomy
so when you go for a trip to the Costa Barcelona, you have high expectations of
great wine and dining, after all we are constantly told how good the
Mediterranean diet is for us. I love simple food. Good quality and quantity are
my essential ingredients. Costa Barcelona’s treats surpassed anything that I
could have imagined and that is truly an accolade.
The secret of Costa Barcelona’s success has to be the exceptional quality of the produce that comes from both the land and the sea. So whether
you prefer lamb and pork or fish or vegetables, or want to try a little of
everything, the flavours will stimulate your taste buds in such a way that it
seems as if you are savouring food afresh.
What is clever about its dishes that it allows the chefs to
be creative and to put a modern spin on classic recipes resulting in a rich and
varied cuisine. It does not matter if you choose to eat at a Michelin
starred-restaurant or a local rustic eaterie the food will be
sensational.
 |
| Salmon starter at Hotel Restaurant Sol i Vi |
Tapas make great starters and allow you to try a little of
everything. The staple “Pan Catalan” (thick toasted crusty bread rubbed
with fresh tomatoes and garlic, drizzled with olive oil, and sprinkled with a
little salt) washed down with a glass of chilled Catalonian white wine is one
of life’s pleasures.
I ate at an array of gourmet spots during my trip. Each offered a tempting menu. Even
when I thought I had a big lunch and would not want dinner, I was always enticed
to indulge once again.
One that I was really impressed with was the Hotel
Restaurant Sol i Vi, a traditional farmhouse in the Alt Penedès region. The
good-sized portion dishes were outstanding. The amazing mix of starters
would set any taste buds alight. A favourite was marinated salmon. The huge
turbot that I had for my main course was sublime. It was so fresh, it was if it
had jumped straight from the sea to my plate.
The restaurant also has an extensive wine list – well it is
surrounded by vineyards. Costa Barcelona has a wine culture that dates back
thousands of years, so you are going to find some superb wines here. Cava may
be the star of the show, but try some local whites and reds, you will be
impressed.
Another great place was Lasal del Varador in Mataró. Right
on the beach looking right out on to the alluring blue sea. It serves
deliciously large portions of organic food and has great eco credentials.
Built, I was told, according to the criteria of bioclimatic architecture, it
has solar panels so it generates its own electricity as well having as a
solar thermal energy system to obtain hot water and run the heating.
I had fresh anchovies followed by hake. For dessert I had
the strawberries from Maresme, which are renowned for their excellence.
While on the Costa Barcelona you should try Crema Catalana,
a rather scrumptious version of crème brûlée.
The Porta d’Alella is not only a charming and serene hotel
to rest your weary head at the end of a long day travelling around the area,
but its restaurant "Les Terrasses" serves up an enjoyable meal. I
happen to like grilled squid with a little salt and pepper and this was pretty
memorable.
 |
| Blue-legged chickens from El Prat de Llobregat served at Ona Nuit Restaurante, |
At Vilanova i la Geltrú, seafood was once again the choice
at Restaurante El Marejol. Fresh fish straight from the fisherman, washed down with delicious
wines, what more could you ask for? The Vilanova prawns served on
ornate-trimmed plates (a tribute to Gaudi, I think) were rather good.
One of the best goat’s cheese salads I have had in a long
while has to be the one that I had at the Café del Mar, also in Vilanova i la
Geltrú.
I could not leave the Costa Barcelona without trying the
blue-legged chickens from El Prat de Llobregat. The place to go is the stylish
Ona Nuit Restaurante, not too far from Barcelona Airport. It has a lovely
ambience and dishes up an innovative menu. Good wine list too. It is full of
locals so you know it has to be good.
If you hate holidays where the days evolve into set patterns
and prefer them to be a whirlwind mix of gastronomy, lazy days at the beach
topped off with a little culture, it’s time to head for the Costa Barcelona.
By Daralyn Danns
Getting there
Vueling airlines offers direct flights from London Gatwick
to El Prat airport, Barcelona, For the best fares and more information visit
www.vueling.com
Hotels
Hotel Solvi Passeig Ribes Roges 1 Vilanova i la
Geltrú Barcelona
Hostal Cal Pla (www.hostalcalpla.com) Avinguda Catalunya 56 (Sant Llorenç Savall)
Hotel Porta d’Alella (www.hotelportadalella.es) Av Sant Mateu, 5-9 Alella
Hostal Cal Pla (www.hostalcalpla.com) Avinguda Catalunya 56 (Sant Llorenç Savall)
Hotel Porta d’Alella (www.hotelportadalella.es) Av Sant Mateu, 5-9 Alella
Tourist information
Barcelona is much more (www.barcelonaismuchmore.com) and
(www.barcelonaesmoltmes.cat/en/costabarcelona)
Barcelona Province Council (promocio@diba.cat) Tel: 00 34 93 402 22 60
Barcelona Province Council (promocio@diba.cat) Tel: 00 34 93 402 22 60
For more information about wine tours and other activities
at Alta Alella, visit www.altaalella.cat
