When you ask locals where the best places to dine are, in Granada, El Garaje restaurant is one of the first to be mentioned.

The first time I walked past the place, it didn’t register as important.

It was closed then because of an electrical outage but the proprietor came to the door and apologized and shook my hand.

When I returned. he remembered my name.

The restaurant is called  ” El Garaje ” because it occupies a spot that someone’s car used to occupy. Many homes in Granada have a garage directly in front of their house, You open the iron gates to your property, drive right into a garage, park, and then walk up garage steps and walk right into your living room. The owners of this restaurant have turned their garage into a restaurant. In their case there are no gates and they are right on a major street where you can park your car on the street or walk to the establishment easily.

This restaurant has limited seating, and, when full, stays full until someone leaves. Paul serves and his wife cooks.

The vegetable barley soup is so good that I go back to the menu for a pulled pork sandwich with caramelized onions and homemade coleslaw without mayo,

I leave without trying the sour orange cheesecake for my pocketbook’s sake.

There is fine dining in Granada.

You just have to find the right garage.