...
wrote a restaurant critic, "it becomes increasingly
better with the years".
If one thinks of Cadaqués and the restaurant Casa Anita, the question
about the chicken and the egg comes to mind. Which comes first? The Casa
Anita belongs to Cadaqués just as one can hardly imagine Cadaqués
without Casa Anita.
For
forty years, only the freshest fish of the finest quality has been served
on the big tables of the Casa Anita. And, as they did forty years ago, the
sardines or prawns are served directly on the "plancha". The few
tables of the Casa Anita have served a procession of worldly important guests
as well as loyal local diners. To all guests "jefe" (today Joan
Marti, in former times his father) "sang" (recited) the (non-existing)
menu card. The offerings are products of the market according to season
and the catch of the Cadaqués fishermen.
Joan
says that each guest is equally important to him, and one believes him.
Kirk Douglas, Jean Louis Trintignant, Yul Brynner and, naturally, Salvador
Dalí, who insisted on his place and his table, were all frequent
guests. The many photographs with personal dedication are witnesses. The
photographs are positioned on the wall more or less according to the arrival
of the celebrities, and they hang simply there, because they belong at Casa
Anita.
All guests
are the same; Even King Juan Carlos does not receive a special position
on the wall.
So, too does
the Catalan poet Angel Planells who was born in this house. In spite of
this march of VIPS, the Casa Anita never was in danger of becoming only
a tourist place.
It is open the whole year and attracts all kinds of guests. Indeed, it is
often full. Sometimes overcrowded, in such a narrow space, but Joan and
his staff never gets excited and the diners are always in good humour.
Table
reservations are recommended in season, and also in the off-season, particularly
on weekends.
What if you
are in Cadaqués, without a reservation to dine at Casa Anita? Just
stop by and wait on the lane in front of the restaurant until a place is
free. The small lane is called Miquel Roset and runs parallel to the Rambla
from Cadaqués to Port Lligat. Ask anyone; everyone knows how to get
to Casa Anita.
Diners should consider seeking Joan's advice on a selection of a wine.
Easiest and cheapest is the "Vino de la Casa" which is really
quite good. Also, however, Joan has a fine selection of Riojas and white
wines that will satisfy any connoisseur.
And, for festive occasions
... Cava or champagne.
The
big tables of the Casa Anita quickly create a familiar atmosphere; even
first-time guests readily feel at home.
The kitchen
of Casa Anita refuses to bend current fashion and the staff is content to
continue the forty year tradition of preparation of products of first quality.
If they come from the sea they are called for instance point perch, tooth
brace or sea pike. However, even the simple sardine becomes (with garlic
and parsley) becomes a culinary experience. As we noted above, there is
never a printed menu card at the Casa Anita, the landlord Joan "recites"
what is available, and in many languages.
Salvador Dalí & Gala
And,
what about continuing to celebrate after dining at Casa Anita? The celebration
can continue a few meters away . . . just wander through the pub directly
into the bar "Anita Nit" (Night), which is the nightly meeting
point for "tout Cadaqués".
The Casa Anita is opened year-round, midday and evenings. Closed Monday
and for their annual hiatus from the 20 January until the 28 February.
