Restaurant “Casa Calvet” – Closed

CLOSED

As a fan of the unrivaled genius Antoni Gaudí, I have to say that going to dinner at "Casa Calvet" made me especially excited.

In fact, my "affair" with this restaurant began one day when I was being a tourist in my own city. With the guide book (you can laugh... I'm one of those who still carry books) in one hand and the camera in the other, I was walking when I realized that the house I was looking for was a restaurant!

In 1898, the widow of a textile industrialist commissioned Gaudí to build a residential house on Calle Casp. The place was not particularly pretty, but let's not forget that it is in the middle of Eixample, the seat of the upper bourgeoisie of Barcelona and Catalonia at that time. The building is quite discreet; In fact, if you are distracted on the street it does not attract attention. Looking closely at the façade, there are some symbols that stand out: the "C" of the owner's last name, a cypress (which is a symbol of hospitality), the mushrooms that reflect the passion that Gaudí had for them, and three saints at the top.

The industrialist decided to put his office on the ground floor of the building. It was designed by Gaudí himself and has been impeccably transformed into the restaurant it is today. Accounting offices, management and boardrooms have been converted into semi-private dining rooms. Elegance and history make all of us who have had the opportunity to enjoy a meal there feel privileged.

For those of you who go, I recommend that you spend some time contemplating the stained glass windows, the carpentry, the benches, everything... Don't be in a hurry to eat because once you are at the table you will concentrate on the food that is up to par with the facilities. Prepare the visit in two phases: contemplation of the wonderful place and tasting the food.

Type: Mediterranean signature cuisine with many nuances. Chef Miquel Alija has been behind this project since the day the doors opened. 

• Sea bass fritters - Very fine and tasty mini sea bass croquettes.
• Stewed lentils with beef ball - Delicious. Small sample of stew in which the ball, for me, plays the leading role.
• Artichokes stuffed with mushrooms and pumpkin - Great contrast of tastes. The pumpkin gives it a sensational sweet touch. The artichoke and the mushroom are products that fascinate me... imagine if they gave them to me together!
• Prawn cannelloni with fresh cheese and vegetables - Dish for dipping bread. Very elegant and tasty. Fine. One of my star dishes.
• Zamburiñas with mango and vegetables - What a tremendous surprise I got. The scallops in salad and hand in hand with mango! Very risky dish that I fell in love with. Another of the star dishes.
• Foamed egg with puff pastry and idiazábal sauce - Third star dish. Sensational texture of the egg and the mixture with the idiazábal!
• Monkfish in nori seaweed with clams - It looks like a work of art.
• Curried lamb loin and dried apricots - Very tasty.
• 5 year old beef fillet - With duck liver: both products are brutal. The steak melts in your mouth.
• Mango and banana tatin with spiced yogurt ice cream - Great staging!
• Apple on almond and coconut sablé and fresh cheese sorbet - Less spectacular dessert but with a great contrast of tastes.

They have a very extensive wine list.

It is a unique and exclusive place that I cannot forgive myself for not having known before.

If you go, take the opportunity to visit Casa Batlló or see everything from another perspective!