Can Cortès - Quiros

Can Cortada is a long metro ride to the northeastern edge of Barcelona next to the Collserola mountains. It is situated in an old regal Catalan farmhouse. The highlight of the meal are the calçots, but the other Catalan dishes are also knockouts. The service is top notch as everyone is extremely eager to please, and won't hesitate to help you. Calçots amb Romesco: The calçots are so popular that I don't think they are even on the menu. Hold up, what exactly are calçots anyway? Calçots are large green onions that are longer than your arm. They are in season from November to April, so your time your trip accordingly. They are grilled over a wood fire and then served on a clay rooftop tile. The hostess knew we didn't know what we were doing, so she had a waiter provide a demonstration. Put on your bib and gloves. First, you have to hold the calçot by the green top. Next, you take your other hand and pull the blackened outer layer downward. Vertically dip the calçot into the orange romesco sauce and then lower the calçot into your mouth and take a bite. Each order has about 20 calçots, so you will have time to practice through repetition. The core is juicy, soft, and creamy with a really mild subtle onion flavor. The romesco sauce is composed of tomatoes, red bell peppers, almonds, hazelnuts, and garlic. The sauce is so delicious with the calçots that you want to hoard it for the other dishes. If you do this correctly, there will be charcoal and romesco stains everywhere. Escalivada: Another Catalan favorite is escalivada, which are long slices of red bell peppers and eggplants with olive oil, garlic, and salt that are grilled in the embers of a wood fire. The vegetables are silky smooth and soft from slow cooking. There is also a small round of soft crumbly goat's milk cheese that has been brûléed on top for a nice sharp contrast of flavors. Butifarra de la Garriga: Catalan pork sausage is grilled and served with tender white beans, garlic, and parsley. It is a really simple dish, but it is extremely comforting and delicious. Canelones de Carne Tradicionales Gratinados: In a cast-iron pan, the crepes are filled with shredded pork and rolled up into a cannelloni shape covered with a bechamel sauce and topped with cheese before being heated. The sauce is rich, buttery, and cheesy. Catalan cuisine is now one of all-time favorite cuisines and Can Cortada may be one of the best places to sample it.

Let's just say, my waiter wasn't the best of the evening help. Everyone else in the restaurant had a great meal--mine was unsatisfactory. I won't go back.

The food was excellent, we visited with a local chef who highly recommended this restaurant. We had a selection of dishes that we all tasted, the food was delicious and gave us a taste of authentic Catalan food. The staff was very friendly. Very nice building and ambiance.

If you ever travel to Spain you must visit Can Cortda. This is an old farm converted into an incredible restaurant. The atmosphere alone is worth the trip. The specialty of the house is a fillet mignon cooked at the table on top of salt. The house wine is excellent and the service can't say enough.

Nice place. Great ambiance. Food was good. Not to heavy. Pretty intense tapas. Good for big parties, etc.