It’s the height of summer here in L’Escala, one of Costa Brava´s favourite summer destinations, and where we are lucky enough to enjoy our long summer break from Girona.
Many of Girona’s residential neighbourhoods resemble a ghost town in July and August as hordes of people decamp to the coast or the cooler mountain regions. And there’s a good reason why. The baking heat makes for an uncomfortable time, especially when we don’t have AC. Yes I know we could have had it installed but as a renter you never know how long you’re going to spend there, versus the expense.
So it continued on a yearly basis, but you can easily reach a beach about half an hours drive from Girona, someplace like St Feliu de Guixols would be the nearest. I always had fun trying to pronounce that town correctly, in Catalan.
But L’’Escala is a bit further north up the coast and tourists have plenty to choose from when it comes to eating out. We tend to try to avoid a lot of places that offer overpriced standard fare but succumb when our holiday vibe visitors choose them because they have a sea view or look busy.
If you’re looking for an alternative treat then you’ve got to change your mindset and do some internet digging. We’d heard about restaurant Klova i Kava on our local FB group that residents of this town post on. A family birthday beckoned so we thought let’s make a booking and go and try it out.
It’s a five minute drive out of town on the road towards Figueres, you pull off into a small strip of stores, a petrol station and food places.Nothing remarkable to speak of. The restaurant is perched between a tobacconist and a pool store. The utilitarian looking shop front doesn’t give much away. A few tables positioned outside, facing the busy road wouldn’t be my cup of tea. Plus it’s hot and we have an inside table booked.
There can’t be more than about a dozen tables, well spaced, within a contemporary decor and subtle touches here and there. A quick glance and the place is almost full with what appears to be just the one waitress. From the sounds the clientele is mostly Catalan.
The 25€ set lunch menu is brief and includes alluringly described meat and fish options (in English and French too). Wine is extra and we chose their house white wine. I had the mango and chicken salad to start with, followed by pork ribs Korean style. Both were delicious, well presented and my dining partners were getting buyers remorse after trying my ribs. Their enduring flavours meant I couldn’t remember what I had for dessert. It was probably cheesecake, I always order that.
The one single chirpy and cheerful waitress was doing a stirling job with keeping everyone happy. A quick chat with her and we’re told that this enterprise is a co-operative and the chef is her husband. Full marks to a satisfying lunch and we added it to our mental bookmark.
Lunch for 3 with wine/soft drinks came to about 120€
Restaurant Klova i Kava, Ctra de Gi, 623, Km16, local 2, 17137 Viladamat, Girona
Mango and chicken salad