
Discover traditional Catalan dishes, savor local produce so fresh is still bears the morning dew when purchased, and be inspired at restaurant La Xicra in Palafrugell, Spain. This old fishing village house turned magnificent restaurant, is on the same street that was the inspiration behind the great novel “El Carrer Estret” (the narrow street), originally written in Catalan by Josep Pla.
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Local Catalan food

A trip to the market is taken every morning to purchase fresh produce for preparation of the dishes on the menu. The restaurant is known for cuisine made with seasonal items grown locally. The seasonal ingredients, predominantly from Palafrugell’s market, allows the chef to continually update the Catalan dishes. I was at La Xicra during the La Garoinada celebration. During this time of the year (from mid-January until the end of March) several restaurants participate in serving sea urchin. La Xicra created a special “Degustation Menu,” which includes a mouthwatering sea urchin appetizer, choice of a main dish, a dessert, bread, water, and wine. This is available for 40 EUR (42.50 USD).
My meal began with a small cup of fish soup, home-made pâté, toasted bread, and a roasted vegetable croquette. This was followed up with the sea urchin and I also ordered the deep-fried cod dumplings. The main was codfish with spinach and dessert was curd cream with candied figs. All of this was paired with a wonderful white wine. Many other dishes are available such as snails, monkfish, duck breast, free-range chicken, veal, filet steak, and more. Ingredients include freshly caught fish from the sea and pasture fed local meats that are served in these dishes.
The old fishing house

Located just off the main square in Palafrugell, La Xicra has been offering some of the best Catalan food in the area for almost 25 years. This welcoming restaurant sits on the same street where Josep Pla was inspired to write the novel “El Carrer Estret” (The Narrow Street), which is the same name of the street. You will find a plaque on this street in honor of Josep Pla and his book.
The old fishing village house is now an intimate restaurant with three distinctive dining rooms. Each room is filled with various collectables and paintings. The decorated tables add to the distinct ambiance of the restaurant. Two of the three small dining rooms can be converted into private dining areas.
The town of Palafrugell

Palafrugell is not your typical tourist town. It is more than 1000-years old; however, it is not full of Romanesque churches, Roman ruins, or Art Nouveau facades. It has picturesque streets, historical monuments, several museums, and it is minutes from some of the most beautiful coastlines in the Mediterranean.
The home that once belonged to Josep Pla is now home to the Josep Pla Foundation. Its mission is to promote the journalistic and literary work of Josep Pla.
The old cork factory is now home to several museums. The factory has over 3,500 objects on display. The Can Mario Museum is home to the Fundació Vila Casas Museum of Contemporary Sculptures.
You can also discover the Cuixart Foundation, home to modest Cuixart i Tàpies, the Reina Sofía Museum of Modern Art, and the Tate Gallery, which can all be found in and around the 19th-century Centre Fraternal building.
A great restaurant to enjoy fresh local cuisine
La Garoinada celebration is one of the first of many annual celebrations and festivals in Palafrugell. It is one of the most popular and traditional gastronomic events in the Catalan area along Costa Brava. Restaurant La Xicra in Palafrugell is the perfect place to fulfill your taste buds desires with their mouthwatering sea urchins and their succulent “Degustation Menu”.
Plan to stay the night on the coast and stay at the wonderful beachfront Hotel Llevant in Llafranc. You can also take a morning sea urchin boat tour with Tela Marinera.
History
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