b-served Gastronomy
Casa Madre
A culinary destination on Av. Gaudí
The avenue that cuts through the Eixample in a diagonal direction between the modernisme era architectural masterpiece that is the Hospital Sant Pau and the Basílica de la Sagrada Familia has a new gastronomic destination, Casa Madre. The natural stone paving slabs and the lighting sculptures (designed by Pere Falqués) together with the views set this street apart which in normal times is teeming with tourists and difficult to appreciate. The Casa Madre concept could not be more simple, serving a selection of tapas and dishes that feel familiar, like your mother would have made when growing up. But clearly with a few twists, otherwise we’d just stay at home.
The most obvious twist is the selection of cocktails which is a leitmotif of the group of restaurants managed by Leo Chechelnitskiy, including Babula Bar and Sasha Bar 1969 (Poble sec), under the No Hay Mañana group. The cocktail menu includes 14 options with a playful selection prepared with a base of local and imported mostly vermouth and aperitifs. The tapas and ‘platillos’ have a traditional familiarity, and are varied enough to offer something for everyone: baby patatas bravas with Casa Madre brava sauce, calamari in batter ‘a la romana’, Cantabrian 000 anchovies, gilda (skewers) with boqueron, cured cheeses and Iberian cured ham as well as the cecina (cured aged beef).
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Casa Madre features 20 dishes on the menu, including starters and main dishes, which is added to by the off-the-menu options. A wide variety of dining options during the day are catered for: from tapas or vermouth at noon to more formal knife and fork dishes or a spoon if necessary.
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The emphasis is on quality and seasonal produce, tried and tested suppliers, and a menu that will adapt to the changing seasons. Young chef Pol Bigorra has put together a selection of popular options perfect for sharing. Among the more adventurous of the platillos is the 'socarrat' which is madee with quinoa instead of rice and is served with baby vegetables and spicy sriracha mayonnaise. The crunchy tempura is another of the dishes that although not exactly traditional are well within the spirit of the Casa Madre philosophy of comfort food that is tasty and good for sharing. The deserts options won’t disappoint clients with a sweet tooth.
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Looking after the cocktails is bar manager Diego Geovanny.
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The generous terrace on the avenue is matched by a traditional feeling interior design project inside. Clients can choose between bar counter seating at the front, or tables in the dining area towards the rear.
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Leo Chechelnitskiy is the guiding spirit behind No Hay Mañana.
- Casa Madre
- Avinguda de Gaudí, 11.
- T: 934 35 43 83
- www.instagram.com/casamadre_tm/
- www.casamadrebarcelona.com
- Photos: Alex Froloff