Spain, Girona - Ca L'Enric: a Gem in the heart of the Girona Province

The three Juncà siblings: Jordi (Chef), Joan (Wine Celler and Manager), and Isabel (Chef), in front of their fabulous restaurant


I need to start this post mentioning that I am not normally going to review restaurants that I have not personally been. BUT, there are always exceptions to rules and this is definitely one of them, and I will tell you why:

1. My parents, who are the main reason why I am so passionate about wine, cuisine and traveling, since they have always taught me and my siblings (Núria and Josep) the importance of understanding other cultures; brought us to wonderful restaurants around the world; and introduced us to the amazing world of wine, making us smell it, taste it and guess the tasting notes before we liked it at all, just so we learned to appreciate all of it (although... I think they did not imagine I would learn the lesson SO fast, move to another country and SPECIALLY that I would finally create a blog to share with all of you all these amazing experiences, mostly culinary, that I am living in each of the places I go!).
2. Their opinion. From my previous comment, you can deduce my parents are also big foodies and wine lovers and they have eaten in the most amazing restaurants, regardless of food type, level of elaboration, location, price, etc. Well, the fact that I wake up a Sunday morning with a call from my mom saying they are having one of the best meals of their life... did not leave me indifferent... and I immediately wanted to know all the details about that meal!

If you allow me this exception, I will share them with you (as well as pictures). I think that after reading it, you will definitely include going to this amazing restaurant in the heart of my beloved Girona province in your to do list, as I did.


The most important part of the restaurant:
the super organized, precise and
dynamic  kitchen, with Jordi and Isabel

Part of the dining area. The restaurant has
been renovated little by little,
achieving this modern and
sophisticated, but yet warm style

Ca L'Enric is a beautiful restaurant located in the heart of the Girona Province, 45 minutes from Girona and 1 hour and a half from Barcelona, in a traditional catalan "masia" (mansion or old, big country house) owned and ran by the three Juncà siblings, the fourth generation to run the restaurant since 1882. The siblings, although always respecting the traditional way of cooking of the previous generations, based in the local cuisine recipes, and the amazing quality of the products of their territory, have given a much more modern, elaborated and sophisticated style to both the food and the interior décor, which have given them the very well deserve Michelin Star they hold (for now... I would be watching for more to come!).





Terrace where the aperitifs and
amuse bouche are served

Among others: "Tapenade" Macaroons,
Truffle Yogurts, and
"Melon and Ham"

At their arrival, they were directed to the terrace where an exquisite selection of amuse bouche was served, paired with a delicious glass of Champagne Rosé and were offered the menu for their review. The menu itself is not very extensive but there are a wide variety of seasonal dishes off the menu, so you should definitely ask one of the siblings and follow their recommendations. You will not regret it! (or you can blame my mom! Just kidding...!).

Afterwards, Joan accompanied them to the gorgeous restaurant's cellar, very well decorated and maintained, and assisted them on their wine selection. The winner that day was a sophisticated pinot noir from a Burgundy subregion called "Nuit Saint George".



Beautiful Wine Cellar

Nuit Saint George

Then, the meal started. The timing of the meal was perfect. The dishes were quickly, carefully introduced to each guest as they were brought to the table. In general (before introducing some of the items of the lunch), the main highlights of the meal are:

 - The respect to the product

 - The accurate selection of the raw materials

 - An exquisite and refine preparation, respecting the flavors of each dish

 - An exquisite taste in the presentation of all the dishes and a great chromatic sense

 

Some of the delicious creations my parents shared that evening (and I cannot WAIT TO TRY!!) are the following. :






"Rovellons a la llauna amb cansalada i all"
Red pine mushroom in their can,
with bacon and garlic

1. Persian caviar (Iranian method), quail eggs
(2 h/ 65º C) and parmentier
2. "Fake egg" in the spoon







"Meat rose". Amazing as well

Steak tartar.
In my mom's opinion:
The BEST she has ever had!

 

 
Regarding the meats that the restaurant uses, it is important to mention that the Juncà siblings have made a big investments to obtain the best meat refrigerators in the market, they have develop the right contacts in the meat industry to only obtain the best of the best meats and they "mature" the meats themselves; which you can obviously taste in the meats flavors and textures.





 



 

Cocoa seeds' beer with cream and pistachio

Puffed pastry with vanilla cream ice cream,
circular caramel and chocolate





 




 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 





Petit Fours and coffees in the garden

Garden décor and fire place

After lunch, they enjoyed espressos and a selection of petit fours, presented in a "smoky volcano", in the terrace, accompanied by the modest, personal, and hospitable siblings, who told my parents about all their ambitious future plans. Among many that only they know, they include building 4 or 5 bedrooms to wide their offer! So... if you want to surprise your partner / spouse with a romantic getaway in the middle of the nature with supreme food and wine and great company... I would definitely consider this option!! :)  (I am already brainstorming when Jacob and I could spend a quick romantic weekend trip to Spain...!!)

Interior Décor

  
As a general conclusion, my parents words were:"Hem gaudit d'una gran experiència!" (We have enjoyed an incredible experience!).

They also emphasized the close contact of the siblings with the customers; the modern, sharp and stylish architecture, but yet in a hospitable and simple ambiance; and the relaxed environment (apart from an unbelievable culinary experience), as the highlights of the afternoon.

My words after hearing all about it are: I CANNOT WAIT TO GO!!!

I want to send a special thank you to Isabel, Joan and Jordi for the first picture and for letting me share the amazing work they do with the rest of the world through this post. I hope I have the opportunity to visit them very very soon!
 
 


Until the next post! MSP