Cal Gausac is a lovely surprise in Sant Cugat’s dining scene. Unassuming from the outside, but warm, welcoming and refreshingly free of the usual stiffness once you step inside. No pressure, no fuss, just a genuinely relaxed atmosphere.

Upstairs are the headquarters of the Castellers de Sant Cugat and the walls are filled with photos and memorabilia. The restaurant is run as a cooperative and the ethos is evident. Staff help everywhere, but with clear divisions of responsibility. One minute the manager is serving us drinks, the next he is peeling an artichoke in the open kitchen. He explained how it works. “Salaries are low, but all profit are shared or reinvested. Decisions are made collectively. The waiters oversee and quip ‘we are all good socialists’.”

This philosophy extends to prices. Dishes are priced according to cost and effort, not prevailing prices. And affordability is the aim. We chose a torradeta amb olivada i anxova each to pick for only 1.85€ while we perused the menu. Even the most expensive item, filet de vedella amb parmentier de moniato is only 17€. There is a clear commitment to promoting Catalan culture in their food and wine. Not a Rioja or Ribera in sight. But plenty of good local choices and very reasonable from 13 to 24€.

The menu promotes traditional Catalan recipes: mandonguilles amb sípia being a centuries old surf and turf. And it is short, simple and in Catalan (English with barcode). The waiters enjoyed the challenge of translating some of the items for us and helped with my pronunciation and they gladly learnt some English too.

We really enjoyed our food. The parmentier trufat amb bolets saltats i ou a baixa temperatura, was rich, almost a thick soup with only a hint of truffle that went well with the egg, mushroom and potato. The escalivada was a perfect balance of pepper, onion and aubergine. And cua de vedella amb poma caramel·litzada was beef knuckle in a tasty sauce with caramelised apple with cinnamon. Dessert was another highlight. Mel i mató, arguably the best we’ve had. For those unfamiliar, it is a classic Catalan combination of mountain cheese, honey and walnuts. Even the soft drinks make a statement. Alongside local wines aitz Firtz-Kola, the cult Hamburg cola, less sweet and a good dose of caffeine to keep you awake.

Weekday menú del dia including drink and dessert, looks like excellent value at 15.50€.

What a find! Honest, well priced food and a genuine welcome and sense of community.