Restaurant “Xiringuito de la Costa”
Costa Daurada / S. Carles de la Rápita
I would like to introduce an especially beautiful and exceptional excursion destination!
I am talking about a typical Spanish CHIRINGUITO (Xiringuito)
The spelling with an X comes from
Unfortunately there are not as many Chiringuitos along our coastline as on, for example, the Balerean islands, where they can be found on every beach and in nearly all bays. This makes the Xiringuitos here on the Costa Daurada much more authentic and original; a visit to the one here is an unforgettable experience with a slightly adventurous factor!
It starts off with the fact that one cannot reach it in a car or by walking there because it lies right
in the middle of the
bay which is situated in the south. It's right in the middle of the water and built on stilts.
One could say "Pile Dwelling". It's just about opposite St. Carles de la Rapitá, from the restaurant it is possible to see the harbour.
Locals and boat owner have known of the “Xirinquito La Costa" existence for over 50 years, because ít's delightful to anchor in the protected bay which is surrounded by the Ebro Deltas nature preserve. Many families gather here in the summer in their motor boots and yachts and enjoy the peace and quite and let their souls „dangle", swim, or paddle with their dinghies to the nearby “Xiringuito La Costa" situated in the middle of the water for lunch.
One thing should be quite clear, one must book a table before hand, if a table has not been booked in advance then it is more or less impossible lo get a table. Don’t even try; you will probably have to stay on your boat hungry with the lovely smell of Paella passing in front of your nose and your mouth drooling at the thought of having a plateful yourself.
Larger ships are not able to dock at the piers available because the water around the restaurant is between 0,30 m and 2,50 m deep. It's no problem if you don't have your own dinghy, the founder of the “Xiringuito La Costa", Alejandro Samver Torta, will come personallv with his Taxiboat and pick you up, a phone call is enough!
The location is sensational, and one is very impressed on arriving there. A large number of staff is available to take care of your needs; they are always very nice, patient and friendly, even when it is very full.
The ”Xiringuito La Costa" is renowned for its marvellous Paella, therefore being not only popular amongst Spaniards. The rice for the Paella comes from where other than the rice producing region of the Ebro Delta. We have tested the Paella many times (enjoyed would be the better way of saying it) and it really does taste fantastic! Apart from fish and mussel specialities, the menu also offers various meat dishes and salads as well as homemade desserts.
One sits pretty rustically on wooden benches at huge tables, and it doesn't bother anyone if kids park themselves nearby together with their small buckets containing fish that they have caught. Just like all over
because one also sits here in the obvious bathing clothing, which doesn't disturb anyone at all.
The founder of the Xiringuito, Alejandro Samver Torta , who opened the Restaurant 54 years ago can still be met there. Sometimes he is seen running around with tools making quick repairs, or as already mentioned, he Is personally picking guests up from their ships with is Taxi Boat after being phoned up. Sometimes he personally welcomes guests who arrive in their own dinghies. The cook visits a table and tells the odd story.
The new owner Andres Carbo Cavafons took over the Xiringuito a few years ago and enlarged, whereby the "work rooms" were not allowed to be enlarged. Working conditions during the summer heat are more than troublesome in the kitchen, one must have great admiration for the performances of the kitchen staff. The kitchen is always open and can always be viewed. It's amazing how everyone always manages organise things and at the same time remain cheerful.
Via numerous bridge connections it is possible to get to various small wooden houses. The toilets are in on of them, in another the electricity generator which runs 24 hours a day, but cannot be heard in the restaurant. A further hut with an open shutter is "only" used for washing up the dishes etc.
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For those who would like to take a quick siesta there are
sun-loungers around the corner. Via a further bridge with wooden steps one is able to get down to the water and paddle over (with the use of bathing shoes, recommended because of the Sea Urchins) to the nearby shore for a walk.
The Xiringuito opens each year to easter and is open depending on the weather until the end of Oktober. The daily opening hours are from 11:00 hrs until 24:00 hrs
Attention:
It is better to ask about the opening times once again.
Website: http://www.bahiamargroup.com/xiringuito.php
Table bookings in Spanish, 3-4 days in advance, can be made
under the Telephone number:
(0034)
616 635 541
For all of those who are sad because they don't own a boat, we will tell you now, there are two catamarans, a “golondrina", in the St. Carles de la Rapitá harbour that, on a daily basis during the “Xiringuitos La Costa" opening hours, take you across in the morning at 11:00 hours and naturally pick you up again.
All in all a wonderful day trip which is well worth it and will never be forgotten, by you, your family or your friends.
Text and all Photos 2006 © copyright by Sonja Oelgart
contact: azahar.info@gmail.com
for the Magazine english/german CAMINOS (Costa Azahar + Costa Daurada) September 2006
Translation © 9/2006 by Mark Levy
for the german/english Magazine CAMINOS
Website Magazine CAMINOS
