Cosy Family Restaurant that delivers a real treat! Basilico in Beniarbeig.

Here in the Marina Alta, on the Costa Blanca, the temperature in January and February is normally, an average, 17 degrees. It can be a fresh, 8 degrees in the morning, but the afternoon can bring a perfect 21 degrees (the forecast says 26 this Thursday!).

Our weekend routine can involve work on Saturday, so Sunday is very precious. Living here in our beautiful Valley, we really are spoilt for choice! How to while away a typical Spanish Sunday, when everything is closed except the bars and restaurants?!

The day usually starts with a trip to the beach with Sunny, our cheeky, little pointer cross. There is something about a walk on the beach that takes you away from the stress of every day life... and it also means that Sunny wants to sleep for the rest of the day, so we get some peace!

This weekend we plumped for lunch in Beniarbeig. Beniarbeig is a typical Spanish pueblo, with a rich history of Moors and Christians and changing demographic. As with many of the villages and towns in the Marina Alta, part of the population are expats from the UK, Belgium, Holland and Scandinavia. The village is in the centre of an irrigated, agricultural area with vineyards, oranges and mandarins. Close to the larger towns of El Verger and Ondara and the shopping centre of La Marina, it is in an ideal location for those looking to relocate to a more rural, Spanish lifestyle with everything still close at hand.

Our reservation was at a restaurant called "Basilico". At Jacaranda Spain, we keep a close eye on social media, as a form of marketing and this little, family run restaurant have most certainly got their eye on the ball! Some of the dishes coming out of the kitchen looked delicious and for that reason, after a visit in the village, I called in to book a table. The friendly welcome was the first winning gesture! I was told that they had a few big groups coming in, so best to get there early.

We arrived in Beniarbeig early and had a stroll around the village. The plazas were full of families and the atmosphere was wonderful. There is a certain magic about the way the local folk all congregate on Sunday mornings. The cafes and bars are always full of smiling faces, out for "almuerzo". We had a seat in the sun, to people watch, and it was lovely to see the community spirit so evident. The Bar Llar del Jubilat was full to capacity of people, either finishing their almuerzo bocadillos and coffee, or those sitting down to enjoy the, very reasonably priced, Menu del día for lunch. We vowed to come back and try it after the next beach walk in Denia, which is a lovely 15 minute drive from Beniarbeig (watch this space).

We arrived at Basilico, still with plenty of time before the rush (at this point, we thought she had been exagerrating because we were the only diners, thus far). We had our aperitif, outside, in the sun. A glass of chilled white wine and an appetizer, while we browsed the menu, and then inside to take out table.

We ordered a starter and main course to share,  thinking then we would have room for dessert. No sooner was our order placed than the restaurant was full! The other patrons were all families, all Spanish, and that´s the BEST recommendation you can get!

The Melanzane Parmigiana to start with was absolutely divine, but far too much for one person as a starter.

This delight was followed by the best chuleton (T-Bone steak) we had tasted in a long while. Cooked perfectly "poco hecho" (rare) but with the assurance that they would cook it more if we wished. Served with home made chips, fried eggs and roasted veg. We were told that some folk order this for one, which seems impossible! Our lovely waitress brought us a takeaway box without us asking!

You might think we would be saying "forget the pud" but, not to be outdone by the rest of the diners, we ordered "Tarta de queso manchego con mermelada de higos" Manchego cheesecake with fig preserve. Yum!

We can´t recommend highly enough, this great little eatery. The service and the atmosphere were informal, relaxed and always friendly. We had the more expensive option, but the pizzas and pastas were reasonably priced. A lot of diners who looked like they were regulars, ordered lasagne, which came in it´s own terracotta pot, so we guessed that this must be a speciality. We can´t wait to go back here! To try all of the other dishes and to find ourselves again in this charming little place, that makes you feel like you are among friends.

Sunny says "Book in advance please, and send the leftovers my way"!!