Restaurant Bretta — Restaurant in l'Escala

We arrived today in the middle of a summer storm. It was a bit chaotic with the staff trying to move tables and chairs from outside to inside but this was understandable. We had to wait nearly 20 minutes to ask for a table only to be told that they didn't know if any were available. We waited another 20 minutes until I saw that there were two free seats at the bar. I asked if we could sit there as I thought it might be a service area. We were told we could (why wasn't this offered to us initially) and then had to wait another 10 minutes to order a couple of glasses of wine. I was trying to go with the flow and understand the chaos that the storm bought but so far, this operation lacked so much direction from a management perspective. After having to ask again if there was a table available we were lead into their storeroom which was a cement cave with no ambience, no view and smelt of damp whereby they had put some of the outside tables here to create more dining space. We declined this option and then seeing a table free up outside asked if we could sit there. It took them over 15 minutes to clear the table at which time I had lost all the little patience left inside me and then finally decided to leave. There's no doubt that this looks like a desirable place to eat and the food that we saw leave the kitchen looked very appealing. However, the place lacks a lot of professionalism and leadership which is a...

Our second time at Bretta and, as always, impeccable in every way: the culinary concept, the food, the space, and the service… even the warm welcome is a solid 10. This time we went before a Portal Blau concert at the Empúries ruins, and it was the perfect formula: dinner on Bretta’s terrace at 8:00 pm, done by 9:30 pm and ready for the concert (just around the corner), and then, after the show, back to enjoy some truly magnificent cocktails.

The outdoor space is perfect in summer — even in the middle of August, we were comfortable and relaxed. Service was attentive and friendly at all times, and we never wanted for anything. The food was eclectic and full of personality, with a Japanese grill whose aroma greets you the moment you arrive. The grilled sea bream was spectacular — one of the few places in L’Escala where you can enjoy fish grilled to perfection. The lighting sets a wonderful atmosphere and, as always, the wine list is superb.

A flawless experience we will definitely repeat. And if I have to mention the worst part… it might have been me, who, in all the excitement, probably drank a little too much. If at any point I was too much…...

Vam anar al Bretta amb uns amics i la veritat és que l’experiència va ser força completa. Ens el van recomanar i teníem curiositat per provar-lo.

Espai i ambient: La ubicació és molt especial: en un entorn natural a prop del mar, amb un punt sofisticat però relaxat que fa molt d’estiu. El local és modern i agradable, amb totes les taules a l’exterior. A partir de les 22 h hi ha música en directe i, un cop has sopat, et pots quedar a fer unes copes. Un ambient molt ben trobat.

Carta i menjar: El menú infantil és senzill (pasta amb tomàquet i formatge o hamburguesa amb patates), suficient pels més petits. Pel que fa a la carta, no és gaire extensa i aquell dia hi havia tres plats que ja s’havien acabat, però al final vam encertar amb les opcions. La cuina és d’estil multicultural, amb plats inspirats en diferents gastronomies, bona qualitat però amb un punt pretensiós. Les racions són correctes, potser una mica justes.

Per compartir vam demanar tempura de gambes amb tres salses (bona quantitat, tot i que cal tenir en compte que eren trossejades en dos) i una amanida d’espinacs. De principals, el sashimi estil Nobu, l’albergínia farcida amb verdures i salsa de iogurt, i la daurada a la robata (brasa japonesa). Tot molt ben presentat i força gustós. De postres, el pastís de formatge amb mascarpone i el de cafè amb martini expresso van ser espectaculars, molt cremosos i recomanables; també el préssec amb almívar i gelat de romaní i farigola, més original però no pel meu gust.

Valoració final: Un lloc molt agradable, amb bona cuina i un entorn ideal per a sopars d’estiu. Potser una mica pretensiós i amb racions no gaire generoses, però l’ambient i la qualitat del menjar compensen. Ideal per a qui busqui una experiència...