Casa Pepe, Balcon al Mar, Javea

June 2010

In recent months we've dined around the world with Montgo Vegetarians, from spicy Thai noodles to divine fresh pasta to delicious curry.  However, at long last, we finally tracked down a real Spanish, indeed a truly Valencian lunch option, at Casa Pepe's in Balcon al Mar.

Well worth the winding drive up from Javea, Casa Pepe is a bit of best-kept-secret of the Cabo La Nao residents, set back off the main road in a quiet residential area.  It was a wonderful setting for a lovely weekend lunch, on a hot sunny June day, for over 20 Montgo Vegetarians of all ages.

Seated outside but in the shade was the perfect spot to enjoy a leisurely stream of choice tapas - including fresh homemade tortilla, and tasty zingy gazpacho.  The wine and conversation flowed, as we enjoyed all the tempting morsels set before us, wondering whether we'd ultimately do justice to the huge pans of paella that soon made their way to our table.  We needn't have worried... the delicious combination of tasty rice and vegetables soon disappeared, as we all enjoyed the true valencian tradition of scrabbling over the burnt chewy bits at the bottom at the end - safe in the knowledge for once that Pepe had prepared it specially for us, without any nasty meat or fish stock!  A lovely range of ingredients included fresh artichoke hearts and green beans, and was seasoned to perfection.

We even had room for a tasty fresh fruit and icecream dessert, whilst we lingered over coffee and the kids splashed in the pool. 

A wonderful start to the summer, which we all know has been a long time coming this year.  And a great swan-song for our founders, Cindy and Brian, who are leaving Spain for the time being.  If anything can tempt them back soon, it's the thought of long hot Spanish lunches in the sun, with great company and delicious vegetarian food...