It is the first time in a long time that we are cooking for our guests again. It’s Tuesday and all restaurants in both Benialí and Benissivà remain closed for dinner. While our guests used to be able to go to L’Aplec on Tuesday evening, Luisa has now closed her restaurant doors. Just like her, El Jabalí (already) and La Placeta (from this weekend on) are also going to close for a (well deserved) holiday. Fortunately, El Jabalí will open again before Sabors will close their doors – but the message is clear: the busy summer season is slowly coming to an end. Fortunately, because from what I hear, not only the Casa Rural owners, but also the restaurant owners, are in dire need of a holiday.
So last week my parents and I ate at L’Aplec (Monday), Bar Piscina (Thursday) and La Placeta (Saturday) before it was going to be too late. Our guests, of which the majority hadn’t made a reservation in time, all ended up eating in the same restaurant for two nights in a row: one couple at Sabors and three couples at Nou Tarrasó. And although everyone had enjoyed a nice dinner on both Friday and Saturday (sometimes with a bit of luck and/or lenience on the restaurant owners’ side because the restaurants were packed), the last three couples were still hoping to have lunch at Sabors on Sunday. Without a reservation. It is not without reason that I inform our guests not only immediately after their booking, but also one day before arrival, of the importance of making a reservation at the restaurants. Vall de Gallinera is not Alicante, Valencia or Madrid. Although we are in a luxurious position with no fewer than seven bars and/or restaurants within walking distance, this does not mean that there is always a table available. Especially not on the weekend. And certainly not during the busy (summer) holiday month(s). Only when my guests, even after calling both Bar Daniel and Rafel in Pego, weren’t able to make any lunch reservation at all, did they decide to throw in the (swimming pool) towel and just go home after a late check-out (and with an empty stomach).
But because there are few reservation possibilities today (when it’s only Sabors that is open for lunch), we are putting together a tapas menu for our four guests tonight. We hope to make up for the loss of a restaurant outing with some bread with aioli and tomatoes, anchovies, tomatoes with mozzarella, mushrooms, tortilla, shrimps, meatballs in tomato sauce and coffee panna cotta for dessert. The fact that I miss our sommelier (Noëlle) on such an evening makes it a little more difficult than it should be, but fortunately my guests do not expect too much from my wine knowledge. For both white and red, they can choose between the “amigo de todos” (our house wine), the local wine (from Planes) or the slightly more expensive option. Anyone who doesn’t know or care will be served the house wine as a standard. Not an exciting but a safe choice. Fortunately, the evening goes well and when I turn off the kitchen light at half past eleven, I wish our guests – who are still enjoying the silence and the starry sky outside – a good night’s sleep. A little later I also turn off the light next to my bed. Tired, satisfied and a little impatient. Because I still have forty-nine nights of sleep before the three of us are here in Spain again for a whole two weeks. Until then, I simply advise and serve our guests our “amigo de todos”. Although, judging by the laughter of the guests, I suspect that they do not know this Dutch expression in Spain (or England for that matter). But who cares? As long as our guests are not only enjoying the wine, but also the food and our occasionally clumsy translations, I can sleep without any problems. Still forty-nine nights to go.