Sunday 29 July 2007

Can Miquel, Platja de Montgó, L'Escala, Catalonia

On a sunny evening, opt for one of the dozen outside tables, overlooking the small beach and the attractive bay, rather than the less enticing tables inside the modern, undistinguished building. The waiters can be slow to seat diners and a little disinterested, but service is swift once you order. The food isn't very imaginative, but the portions are generous and the ingredients fresh. Any starter featuring the local anchovies is a good bet, while the hearty mixed paella (13 Euros each), which must be shared between two people, contains plenty of lamb, sausage meat, crustaceans and other seafood. A refreshing and uncomplicated accompaniment is the Amat Sauvignon Blanc (7.50 Euros a bottle). A local institution and a step up from the other restaurants in the immediate vicinity, Can Miquel also makes a good place to take a break from tanning on the beach for lunch, coffee or ice cream. 7/10