Cal Pep

A recommendation of some foodie friends and a few locals we met early in the week, Cal Pep was by far, the best meal of the week. Known for its ultra-fresh seafood specials and Catalan-Mediterranean cuisine, it’s considered one of the pricier restaurants in town, but SO worth it for the experience of bellying up to the long pink granite bar (after waiting for an hour, which was on the short side), to be served a slew of fresh tapas whipped up in front of our eyes. We made friends, watched the chefs in action, and didn’t want to leave our coveted seats…

The chefs bustle about pairing heaping plates of clams, fried seafood, and well, this perfection on a plate…

From there we had a slew of lightly fried fish, sardines, calamari, and here’s where the serious fish head eating occurred..

Clams and mussels..

Tuna tartare on brioche

And a whole monkfish, which managed to melt in our mouths with each buttery bite..by far, best thing we ate that week…

Stuffed full of meat and seafood, we had room for dessert, a trio of lightly whipped mousse in passionfruit, vanilla and caramel

The placemat..

New friends from behind the bar, and the masters of our made-to-order meal..

The place has funky hours, is closed Sundays and for the month of August, and other obscure times, but currently stands in my top 10 best meals, ever. If anything you read this week prompts you to book your ticket, this restaurant should be it.