In 1904, Francisco Concha «Xico» He opened a small shop and tobacconist in Mestas de Ardisana, which gradually began providing meals to the local workers. One hundred and twenty years later, the business remains in the family: today they run it Julio Pontigo (4th generation) and Arturo Pontigo (5th generation), making Casa Xico one of the most historic restaurants in the Llanes council.
The hallmark of the house is the vegetablesThat small, delicate bean typical of eastern Asturias: Casa Xico was the first restaurant to commit to cultivating them in the Ardisana Valley itself, just like the corn they use to make their tortos (corn cakes). It's only open on weekends and holidays (daily in July and August), and reservations are recommended because tables fill up quickly.
How to get to Casa Xico
View on Google Maps: Casa Xico Restaurant
It's in Las Mestas de Ardisana, s/n, 33507 Llanes, Asturias, a mountain village reached by a winding road surrounded by forest and meadows, within the Ardisana valley.
- Open in July and August every day; the rest of the year, only weekends and holidays, during meal times (12:00 to 18:00 h).
- It is highly recommended to book in advance, given the restaurant's reputation throughout the region.
- It is located just over a kilometer from the route of Enchanted Path.
What to order at Casa Xico
- Verdinas with pantruque or prawns, the dish that has made the house famous.
- Homegrown corn cakes, crispy like puff pastry.
- Asturian bean stew and stuffed onions, classic recipes with hardly any variation.
- Homemade desserts to close the "1904" menu, with which they celebrate the year of foundation.
FAQ
Why is it only open on weekends?
It's a family business of more than a century that has maintained its traditional rhythm: it opens weekends and holidays all year round, but daily only in July and August.
What are verdinas?
They are a small, very delicate variety of bean, typical of eastern Asturias. Casa Xico was a pioneer in cultivating them in the Ardisana Valley itself.
