Masia El Folló — Restaurant in Tagamanent

Just 40km out of Barcelona, up in the picturesque hills that lead to the Pyrenees, El Folló is a world away from the hustle and bustle of city life. If you are looking for a charming, rustic getaway you can't get any better than this. A farmhouse with seven independent rooms (all with ensuite bathrooms), El Folló is more than just a B & B (though a wholesome, Spanish breakfast is included in the price of the room). ||||Each of the rooms is named after a plant or fruit. We were staying in La Llimona (lemon) and it was simply delightful. Stone walls completely shut us off from the outside world. The bed was super comfortable and the shower had lots of steaming water at high pressure. This particular room had the bathroom only partially separate from the bedroom, but if you are after a bit more privacy the other rooms had completely separate bathrooms. A few of them also had amazing views (though our room didn't). We were a bit chilly early in the evening but the fires downstairs warmed up the rooms sufficiently by the time we went to bed - and the bed covers were really warm and cosy all night long. The rooms are simply furnished with gorgeous furniture (some of it antique) in a completely rustic, but comfortable style. The linens were very clean and comfy too. ||||Mercé, the lovely owner and manager, is a talented cook who runs regular classes in her adjacent cooking school. And for a very reasonable price she also offers a half-board option. ||||We were there for two nights. The first was a Saturday and we were treated to an incredible feast - leg of venison with fig and red onion compote, octopus stew, organic roast chicken and rabbit, baked monkfish, two types of regional soup (one pasta consommé style soup and a thicker leek-like creamy soup with mussels and romesco), salads, roast potatoes and a brown rice pilaf.||||After this savoury cornucopia we were offered six different types of dessert (including semolina pudding, quince custard tart, banana cake, berry muffins and chocolate cake). You just can't buy hospitality like this and for €25 a head it's the bargain of a lifetime. The next night we asked if we could help prepare dinner (cheeky of us as it's essentially a cooking lesson for free)!! Mercé was happy to let us help out and we chopped and roasted calçots (similar to green onion) on the open fire in the living room. We also had scrambled eggs (from their own hens) with preserved truffle and tender pork loin, also cooked over the fire. Also during that second evening we managed to get through five bottles of (biodynamically produced) cava. It's just the kind of place in which it is very easy to spend the whole evening talking, eating, drinking and laughing. My husband and I tend not to really enjoy interacting too much with the hosts of places that we stay (we're a bit anti-social like that) - but staying at El Folló is like visiting a favourite aunt whom you haven't seen for years. We instantly felt welcomed and at home, and that is a rare and wonderful thing.||||I simply can't stress enough what a wonderful, authentic experience it is to stay with Mercé and her husband Jaume (who tends both the garden and the welcome winter fires throughout the house). They have been running El Folló as a place to stay and enjoy food for the last twenty years. I'd suggest going along and seeing for yourself what has kept them going this long. I know that my husband and I will...

Just 40km out of Barcelona, up in the picturesque hills that lead to the Pyrenees, El Folló is a world away from the hustle and bustle of city life. If you are looking for a charming, rustic getaway you can't get any better than this. A farmhouse with seven independent rooms (all with ensuite bathrooms), El Folló is more than just a B & B (though a wholesome, Spanish breakfast is included in the price of the room). ||||Each of the rooms is named after a plant or fruit. We were staying in La Llimona (lemon) and it was simply delightful. Stone walls completely shut us off from the outside world. The bed was super comfortable and the shower had lots of steaming water at high pressure. This particular room had the bathroom only partially separate from the bedroom, but if you are after a bit more privacy the other rooms had completely separate bathrooms. A few of them also had amazing views (though our room didn't). We were a bit chilly early in the evening but the fires downstairs warmed up the rooms sufficiently by the time we went to bed - and the bed covers were really warm and cosy all night long. The rooms are simply furnished with gorgeous furniture (some of it antique) in a completely rustic, but comfortable style. The linens were very clean and comfy too. ||||Mercé, the lovely owner and manager, is a talented cook who runs regular classes in her adjacent cooking school. And for a very reasonable price she also offers a half-board option. ||||We were there for two nights. The first was a Saturday and we were treated to an incredible feast - leg of venison with fig and red onion compote, octopus stew, organic roast chicken and rabbit, baked monkfish, two types of regional soup (one pasta consommé style soup and a thicker leek-like creamy soup with mussels and romesco), salads, roast potatoes and a brown rice pilaf.||||After this savoury cornucopia we were offered six different types of dessert (including semolina pudding, quince custard tart, banana cake, berry muffins and chocolate cake). You just can't buy hospitality like this and for €25 a head it's the bargain of a lifetime. The next night we asked if we could help prepare dinner (cheeky of us as it's essentially a cooking lesson for free)!! Mercé was happy to let us help out and we chopped and roasted calçots (similar to green onion) on the open fire in the living room. We also had scrambled eggs (from their own hens) with preserved truffle and tender pork loin, also cooked over the fire. Also during that second evening we managed to get through five bottles of (biodynamically produced) cava. It's just the kind of place in which it is very easy to spend the whole evening talking, eating, drinking and laughing. My husband and I tend not to really enjoy interacting too much with the hosts of places that we stay (we're a bit anti-social like that) - but staying at El Folló is like visiting a favourite aunt whom you haven't seen for years. We instantly felt welcomed and at home, and that is a rare and wonderful thing.||||I simply can't stress enough what a wonderful, authentic experience it is to stay with Mercé and her husband Jaume (who tends both the garden and the welcome winter fires throughout the house). They have been running El Folló as a place to stay and enjoy food for the last twenty years. I'd suggest going along and seeing for yourself what has kept them going this long. I know that my husband and I will...

We promised we'd return to El Folló, and we did. When we turned up we were treated by Mercé and Jaume like family returning after a long period away. We were instantly welcomed back into the fold and fed like royalty (one of the wonderful, defining characteristics of the place).||||We were there for two nights. We didn't participate in any cooking classes (though we were invited to join a larger group) - suffering a bit of jet lag we chose to have an extended siesta instead. But we were up and about to enjoy the fruits of the group's labours at dinner - enjoying a wide variety of delicious dishes.||||The next night was more quiet, just the four of us (though their son joined us for a quick bite). I have never felt so comfortable being in the company of such lovely hosts. Their home becomes your home. Mercé and Jaume are such warm people that it is always a pleasure to spend time wtih them. Mercé is such an interesting woman, with so many different experiences. And Jaume is the quiet, contemplative one. But he is quick to throw you a smile.||||This place is just wonderful, comfortable, lovely - and I can't recommend it enough. Please go for the half-board option. There is no...