el rellotge
On Saturday we walked south from Calella, to Sant Pol de Mar, where we had a fantastic lunch at El Rellotge.
playa la platjola
It was a leisurely 30 minute walk, past Calella lighthouse and round the coast (above right). El Rellotge is situated middle right in the picture.
el rellotge interior
This is a tiny unpretentious bar by the sea, run by Lluís with his wife and daughters.
menú
Aside from the blackboard, there isn’t a sign outside with the name – the thing that matters most here is the food! You will see from the menú, that Lluís sells tapes, paelles, fideuà and vermut (plus other drinks).
berberechos
There were four of us, so we ordered lots of tapas. Berberechos (cockles), were the first to arrive. These are Nookie’s favourite and were ordered twice!
salsa espinaler
We sprinkled the berberechos with a particularly good local sauce, Salsa Espinaler – it’s made of wine vinegar, pimentón, black pepper and spices.
cresta rosa
We drank Cresta Rosa – a slightly fizzy (from a natural second fermentation) rosado wine, from nearby Empordà.
it’s frothy man
The cold rosado was quite refreshing in the hot sun.
alcachofas y garbanzos
Next to arrive were alcachofas y garbanzos – artichoke hearts and chickpeas with garlic.
croquetas
They say you can judge a bar by the quality of it’s croquetas – the homemade ones, like these above (made with bacalao), are outstanding.
pulpitos
I ordered a plate of pulpitos, which I love – they came in a rich and savoury sauce
vi blanc
At this point Oli switched wine to blanc – it came with a number, the bottlers name and address, without wine name or grape. No complaints here, it was an excellent dry white.
sepia
The above plate of sepia was cooked with peas and a garlicky sauce – I’m quite sure it was the most tender cuttlefish I’ve ever eaten.
albóndigas
The albóndigas were fabulous and I was surprised to discover they were made with chicken.
boquerones
We enjoyed a plate of boquerones – fresh anchovies marinated overnight in wine vinegar and served in olive oil.
patatas bravas
Dorian ordered patatas bravas – fried potato pieces, usually served with a shop bought, spicy red sauce. Here the potatoes had been perfectly fried until they became puffy
salsa brava
and the salsa brava was home made (it was quite special too)!
lluís
Having been completely sated, over the course of about 3 hours, we bade farewell to our affable host Lluís and family
sant pol de mar
…before walking round to Sant Pol de Mar station, which is practically on the beach.
Our meal, with copious bottles of wine, came to about €102 for 4 people.
El Rellotge is at the far end of Avinguda Doctor Furest, as you walk round the edge of the sea, from Sant Pol de Mar.
Mad Dog TV Dinners 
Quite a surprise just after finishing another boring market survey – not the usual day to see one of yours drop in! Basically seafood tapas with ‘copies bottles of wine’ – match made in heaven ! Love octopus especially and would have liked the cockles and the anchovies. Lovely waterfront where to spend 3-4 hours and not such a big dent to the wallet since we are talking of seafood and ‘copious’ number of bottles emptied . . . at a non-tourist time at what sounds like a pretty non- tourist bar . . .
Thanks Eha – it was a perfect Saturday afternoon.
Perfect, perfect, perfect! I know that sparkling wine and love berberechos too 😀
Thanks Tanya – that bar is so good and on top of no sign, there’s no website!
Wow, and that’s an understatement. What a wonderful meal with a wonderful view. I would be devouring the octopus and cuddle fish dishes, then I’d tuck into the rest. Mad Dog, thanks for including Lighthouse of Calella link. I have an obsession with lighthouses and enjoyed the read. A very enjoyable post indeed.
Thanks Ron – it’s quite a pretty lighthouse and still working!
A restaurant without a sign and delicious food and drink…sounds like a real winner.
Thanks Karen – I’m definitely going back!
Oh my goodness, that all looks delicious. And the view!
It’s such a perfect place!