There are hidden places and places that seem to hide. Els 3 Porquets is one of the latter: forgotten at the end of a street, looking like a paco bar and under a childish fable name the place does not reveal that it is, in reality, a bar where those in the know celebrate their important days..
In the age of networks, where any long message bores and where there is only time to read a quick concept to highlight a restaurant, it is a pity not to be able to clearly express the value of restaurants like Tres Porquets, a classic that has been hidden for 15 years behind the Gran Via and at the end of the Rambla del Poblenou, where it loses its name, offering a meal that makes it impossible to arrive without a reservation no matter what day of the week it is because those who know have already filled it.
They, when they come, order the eel fritter and tupinambur purée with beef bottom mayonnaise (or whatever is available at the time) becauseit overflows the hand like a warm hug to the point that it is already ones of our favorite dishes of the year. The umami of the eel, the creaminess of the tupinambur and the umami of the meaty mayonnaise, the gigantic fritter and a wonderful frying: the summary of a restaurant that conquers with strong flavors. Double merit: to the task of finding strong flavors must be added the search for balance so as not to overwhelm.
They do it with the confidence of having been in the neighborhood for more than a lifetime. Marc is the son of Can Pineda (literally, it belonged to his father and uncle), a historic bodega in the Clot, just across the Gran Via, almost visible from their respective doorways. Thus, he is not afraid to reapproach the octopus with parmentier, which here finally stops being boring when it is fried, with mashed cassava and paprika oil.
Also, of course, the family stews of tripe or meatballs or dishes with history, the prey with 25 ingredintes that already has two decades of life in the letter.15 years of history … In short, that you go booking.
Because the 3 porquets is what it has, that hides behind a simple appearance the knowledge of decades. By the way, behind a hidden door also hides this cwith views of its wine cellar, very powerful, where people like Mediapro executives (right next door) celebrate their business dinners. Here you come to get away from it all to concentrate on eating as only pigs (and those who know how) enjoy doing it.