Waking up on the Rightside of Breakfast

On any given day, it seems like the only time I have a big breakfast is when someone else is making it.  After 14 months on the road, I’d all but given up on warm treats to start my morning.  Around the world, “breakfast buffet” often translates to hard rolls on a plate beside a bowl of sweaty cheese.  But for our last three days in Spain, Neil and I were happy to find that some hotels still believe in a good spread for the breakfast crowd.

Not a bad view

Starting the day in Tossa de Mar

Compliments of the Hotel Gran Reymar, we scored a great sea view room that opened to the Costa Brava in Spain.  Little placards on the wall denoted VIP guests who had distinguished certain rooms as premiere choices in the hotel.  Ours had two plaques with the surname of regular patrons who clearly preferred sleeping in this room.

A balcony opened up to the Mediterranean Sea where orange-white rocks peaked from the waves.  Sunbathers lounged on the sandy beach and on the deck below our room, palm trees waved around a blue pool.  In the morning, the tide crashed to shore and we woke up to the waves smacking against the land—no better alarm clock in the world.

Made fresh to order and not too far away from the cava

The Breakfast Spread

Open early, the breakfast room at the Gran Reymar is a space that perches over the water with windows lining the wall and offering unfettered views of the horizon.  Tables by the window fill up quickly so we had to jockey for real estate.  Along the white wall, long tables run the length of the restaurant beginning with a griddle station where I spent most of my time.

The chef ladles out fresh batter and smoothes out the crepe mix.  Eggs are poached in olive oil and a squadron of sauces wait nearby so that I could dress my short stack with chocolate and caramel drizzle.  Fresh fruit and cheeses wait on the next table followed by meats, breads, yogurt, granola, scrambled eggs, and hard boiled eggs. A juice table has pineapple, orange, tomato, and apple in close proximity to the cava station.

Every morning, we started the day in this little room over the sea.

Not going to lie, Neil and I enjoyed ourselves thoroughly at breakfast.  We had bellinis with our eggs and espresso with our crepes.  With the gorgeous view (even when overcast), we lingered for a good hour and talked about our jaunt through Spain: the Fishing Museum in Palamos and lobster bisque in Begur; the Dali museum and the botanical gardens in Pals.

Breakfast is such a funny time.  You’re half-asleep and ravenous.  You’re thinking about what happened yesterday and what you want to do that day.  The action of the day hasn’t taken over the actual day yet.  So you can relax for as long as a cup of coffee takes.  For me, I was the lucky girl whose java came with sweet honeydew and chocolate crepes.  Thank you again to Hotel Gran Reymar for hosting us for three days, post-TBEX in Girona and delivering a needed break from the backpacking circuit.

A little bubbly with our breakfast fruit.