Xeflis - Feedback

This is a very traditional and entirely unpretentious local Catalan restaurant, with a small outside eating area. read more This is a very traditional and entirely unpretentious local Catalan restaurant, with a small outside eating area.

Catalan traditional food from the season. 15 euros menu. Grilled meat and fish options. Small restaurant but nice place. read more Catalan traditional food from the season. 15 euros menu. Grilled meat and fish options. Small restaurant but nice place.

I don’t know if this place is always so busy, but it was absolutely rammed when we arrived, fully booked from opening, so we arrived at 12.30 and had to go back... read more I don’t know if this place is always so busy, but it was absolutely rammed when we arrived, fully booked from opening, so we arrived at 12.30 and had to go back at 3pm. My girlfriend was moaning, but actually I thought no, good on the bloke for inviting us back, he could have just told us to sod off, because who wants to deal with tourists anyway when you’re that full with locals. And the busyness I took as a good sign. We were very keen to experience the authentic Catalan cuisine, and to avoid the tourist traps, that we knew we would inevitably encounter in Barcelona. Maybe because of the busyness, or maybe because they were short staffed, the service was sluggishly slow, even by Spanish standards. But the host went out of his way to make us feel welcome, and I was very happy that we were without doubt the only foreigners in there. Also I thought we got a really good deal, I had the Setmana (set menu) and my Girlfriend had the Paella, which had a luxurious richness, and although it was slightly overdone, I prefer it that way, it’s certainly safer. Plus we were able to eat it directly out of the pan, which was a really nice touch, and seemed to add to the rustic authenticity. I’d have to say it’s probably the best paella I’ve ever had, shame it wasn’t my dish! So from the set menu I had the Melon a l'Oporto (what I call Frog Melon) but I think the Spanish is Piel de Sapo, and it was a revelation. My girlfriend pointed out that there was no particular skill involved in the dish, pouring wine into a melon. But to me that doesn’t matter, it’s the feeling a dish gives you, and this gave me an exceptionally good one! I then had the squid, and while I wasn’t a massive fan of the tomato sauce it came with, I am pleased to report that it was actually proper whole baby squid, and not the awful chewy rings that come out of a frozen packet. The crème Carmel was just the standard ubiquitous dessert. Generally speaking in the past I’ve never been a huge fan of Spanish cuisine, but I did really enjoy my experience here, especially when the host came over at the end and gave us a free shot of liquor, what can I say I’m easily bought! But overall with the set menu I thought this place was very good value, and crucially for you, both welcoming and authentic at the same time, the ideal combination. As an aside… later that day we went to the Cabrils food festival, and these guys were there again, they smiled and waved and seemed like such a friendly bunch. And I admired them for getting involved in the festival as that was also a really worthwhile event that I would also recommend. The people behind Xeflis clearly care about what they do, and if you are in the area, then this place is definitely worth a try.