Chef Fran López trained in Barcelona then went to Paris for a three-month stage for Alain Ducasse at Plaza Athenee. He ended up working there for three years. He and his brother opened El Torreó de l’Indià (now called Villa Retiro Restaurant) which received it’s first Michelin star when he was only 25 years old.
Xerta Restaurant, located in 5-star Ohla Eixample Hotel, received its first Michelin star after being open for only 6 months. Fran López brings something to Barcelona that nobody else does, the flavors of the Ebro Delta region. The delta has a unique variety of natural landscapes including the most extensive aquatic habitat in Catalonia and rice paddies that are grown within a protected bird sanctuary. Typical Ebro Delta dishes might feature: game, duck, fish, eel, puddings, ‘rice prepared in unimaginable ways’ and always a good olive oil.
After trying Xerta’s Rice with Nettles and ‘Espardenyes,’ my daughter said, “This tastes just like the ocean!”
Indeed, it did. Full-bodied, fresh, bold sea flavors without being “fishy.” Wonderful.
Table setting at Xerta
XertaStarters from the kitchen.Starters from the kitchen.Blue, wavy glass plates. As you scooped up each bite, the fork or spoon moves up and down like waves. As the meal progressed we talked about the motion and how many hues of blue. there were as well as the blue shadows cast on our table.Rice with Nettles and ‘Espardenyes’ Creamy rice from the Delta with nettles, sea cucumbers, seaweed mayonnaise and salicorniaThe 12-year old approves.Rice with Nettles and ‘Espardenyes.’ Creamy rice from the Delta with nettles, sea cucumbers, seaweed mayonnaise and salicorniaView of the kitchen from my seat.Dry Aged (for two) Beef steak with fresh vegetables, jus, spice sauce, black truffle sauce, cheese sauce (64 €)Dry Aged (for two) Beef steak with fresh vegetables, jus, spice sauce, black truffle sauce, cheese sauce (64 €)Dry Aged (for two) Beef steak with fresh vegetables, jus, spice sauce, black truffle sauce, cheese sauce (64 €)Roast Suckling Pig, sweet potato mash, sweet figs and berries (34 €)Braised Beef Cheeks with foie, chestnuts, chocolate jus (25 €)Braised Beef Cheeks with foie, chestnuts, chocolate jus (25 €)XertaCake Bits. Just like it sounds. Bits of various cakes from our pastry chefs. (12 €)Sopa and Water. Play on the shapes of soap and a sponge and the taste of pina colada (pineapple, coconut, rum) (12 €)Sopa and Water. Play on the shapes of soap and a sponge and the taste of pina colada (pineapple, coconut, rum) (12 €)MignardisesXerta
Hotel Ohla Eixample
Hotel Ohla EixampleLobby at Hotel Ohla EixampleSinks at Hotel Ohla Eixample
