Vilafranca del Penedès
Casa Joan

Casa Joan

Placa Estacio, 8 8 8, 08720, Vilafranca del Penedès, Spain

Vino • Bife • Sushi • Cocina Catalana


"The location of a restaurant is often a clue to its quality but how often would you choose the hotel restaurant directly opposite your railway station. I can think of many bars and restaurants opposite railway stations in England, France and Spain where my personal sat nav takes me right on past them to somewhere else. Casa Joan, in Vilafranca Del Penedés is a notable exception to this pattern; we visited the restaurant in 32-degree heat following recommendations on the quality of the food. We entered the cool expansive dining area to find no menu del dia just an expensive menu of starters and mains. We skipped the starters and for main course my wife had Roast Beef with creamed mash, which was nice whereas I had Filet de Vedella al Cava amb Foie (Beef fillet with Foie Cava) @24.50e. Absolutely sublime, the steak thick, succulent and delicious, the duck pate gorgeous and just how do chefs create a red wine sauce like that, the consistency perfect, the flavour sent my taste buds into a waltz around my mouth. Honestly it was that good. Plug me back into the Matrix agent Smith Morpheus is a goner. The postres were reasonably priced, I had the homemade dark chocolate truffles that were gorgeous and Lorraine had New York cheesecake, which was very nice. With hindsight I should have ordered my coffee with the truffles. So an unanswered question why are the three old clocks on the wall stopped at 1:50, 1:55 the waiter couldn 't enlighten me, some to do with the proprietor and the dilemma; good food costs so do you open the door and step inside. We did and didn 't regret our decision"

7 De Nit

7 De Nit

Carrer Tossa De Mar, 12, 08720, Vilafranca del Penedès, Spain

Pizza • Queso • Tapas • Pastas


"I actually live 15 minutes drive from this restaurant and thought it was about time I left a review as my wife and I and friends visit Set de Nit at least once a month with friends. Firstly the name is a play on words in Catalan it actually means 7 of the Night. This is because everything apart from drinks are 7 euros so this is how it goes ... 2 starters cost 7 euros , 1 pizza whatever costs 7 euros and 2 puddings cost 7 euros . Drinks are priced accordingly. This restaurant started mainly as a pizza place and the menu has grown over the years and. Ow has expanded to cover many more Italian dishes, pastas, anti pastas, etc etc all with an Italian theme. Prices may reflect this as well but the main pricing is based upon the formula of the two starter and two puddings. The food is superb for this type of restaurant, the restaurant is akin to the pizza express chain in the UK but better and this is not a chain. Pizzas and Pastas are great as is the choice of starters, puddings, and wines, waters and soft drinks. The service is excellent , staff are very very friendly and the owner excellent and always knows my name when I ring to reserve a table. The setting is modern with a small gallery upstairs open and overlooks the main restaurant and we normally sit up there as it’s nice to see down but you must ask for a balcony table. Covers about 70 because of this there is a two hour slot only for your table. Being English even after 20 years In Catalunya eating after 10 is too late so we book from 8 and the restaurant opens about 8:10 and we are allowed to remain to 10:30. At this point you ask for your bill and pay at the front desk. Cards, cash Apple Pay all accepted. Always reserve your table by 9pm the restaurant is full by 10pm packed and 20 deep outside for those who forget to book or want a take out pizza, no delivery. I have never been disappointed at this restaurant. I always leave very full and happy. Food is delicious pizzas superb. I would recommend this to anyone who likes Italian. It is 15 minutes from Sitges and Villanova. Loads of free parking after 8 on the roads outside or within one block. I can not fault the Restaurant, the owner or its staff and it is one of the only places in catalunya that I will leave a service top, the reason is that one the staff receive the tips and two they are friendly and make eye contact and if you need service simply extend your arm, never click you will be hissed by the other diners. There is also a large profession screen always on showing movies or food channels or the big important football matches and other events we have. One thing I feel is trip advisor has the pricing structure wrong it should be 3 for the area and quality and amount of food you receive it is excellent value for money. 4 of us dined there two nights ago, all starters, main, puddings and drinks, not wine, famous mojitos, 2 for 7 euros! Freshly made by the owner every day. 90 euros plus a tip which is not forced upon you 100 in total 25 per head. I did not eat breakfast the following morning. Always book and always tip at this place it has a lovely great atmosphere, children always welcome and excellent value for money IMHO the best Italian this side of Barcelona. Oh yes the Garlic cheese bread is to die for along with chicken in breadcrumbs. If you are garlic intolerant ask about your meal. It is not in all the dishes or overpowering but it is used a lot in catalunya. I have nothing but praise for this excellent restaurant and the fact the owners remembers me every time I book says enough."