Before arriving in Sant Nicolau I usually go to get some shopping in Borassà. It is the nearest village with a friendly supermarket. So friendly that this time, although we arrived late and they were closed, when they saw me trying to open the door, they let me in and waited while I did a speed shop – butter, milk, wine, dog food, chocolate.
Then we went for lunch in the village restaurant, Mas Pla, which has a menu for 14 euros. As I usually come here alone I hadn’t been there yet so it was good to give it a try.
It’s a very traditional Catalan restaurant – what do I mean by that?
Well it is partly the decor which is old world country cosy and comfortable. It is also the relaxed atmosphere that I have usually found in these places – they let us bring Bonnie inside to lie under the table and later when families started to arrive for lunch, their children came over to talk with us and to try to talk with Bonnie. If you know Bonnie you also know this isn’t a great idea. She’s not very child friendly until after half an hour of playing ball with them.
But she was quite patient, so long as they didn’t get too close she confined herself to lifting her lip.
Back to the restaurant. The other characteristic of traditional Catalan cooking is that it doesn’t include anything vegetarian. It’s not that they don’t care about their vegetarian clients, it’s more that they aren’t aware of their existence. And I don’t help – now that I eat some meat and also fish, I never ask for vegetarian food so I am another invisible statistic. I could have had ensaladilla russa for the first course but then what? I really must try one day so see if they would make me an omelette to have with chips, or perhaps give me a selection of vegetables with rice. But would this be charged at a separate price or allowed as part of the menu? I will do research and get back to you.
So, at last, here is what we ate.
Kate
Tarta de verdures i gambas (of course there had to be something to stop it being vegetarian!)
Bonitol amb samfaina ( Catalan ratatouille)
Pep
Amenida d’advocat amb gambas
Orada al forn amb patates
Puddings -which we were so busy eating I only took one – pre-nibbled – photo
Pastis de xocolata
Pastis de Matò i poma
Bread and a large carafe of red wine included in the price, of course!
We were wondering if British diners would be happy to be presented with a whole fish like the Orada? Personally I prefer my fish headless and when possible without bones but I am sure I am not typical. Any thoughts?
Having lived here for ages with a pair of vegetarian kids, I have a few clues for you, though you are right, and it is a hassle.
First, they are always happy to let you order to courses from the first course menu, as it far more often has vegetarian options, so my kids would have a salad and lentils for example. No change in price.
Most places are willing to fish the meat out of the lentiles for you, but they won’t cook them without the ‘seasoning’ that the meat gives, for obvious reasons.
Most places are willing to make a truita de patata sandwich or something like that if you want instead of the menu. It is a pain in the butt, honestly, esp as Eldest was also allergic (well, she still is allergic) to all seafood….
they are usually very willing to accomodate, and make an effort for vegetarians…and I know some restaurants here locally who have someone who comes to lunch every single day, who always provide either 2 first courses that are veggie, or in fact one of them, now sadly closed, used to do a special second. Nice, no?
with the whole fish? Canadians would be happy, but you’d only get it in an expensive restaurant…though I should say Torontonians, as if you’re a wee bit nearer the sea, things might be quite different. Most of the fish we get has been frozen or is very expensive as it has come in on a plane on ice.
They are willing to
Hmm I’m with you on that one Kate – lose the head!! 🙂