David Montedeoca: “We have clients who have celebrated everything at La Rotonda: their baptism, their communion, and their wedding”

Dining at La Rotonda is once again possible. Decades after hosting the crème de la crème of Barcelona's high society at the sumptuous Hotel Metropolitan, the iconic Andreu tower has once again become a meeting place for residents of Sant Gervasi, local workers, and tourists passing on their way to Tibidabo. All of them are already enjoying the great revitalization that the restoration of the modernist building has brought to the neighborhood. And it is that in addition to the already known presence of Accenture, Nike, and Duet Fit, La Rotonda now offers a varied and complementary gastronomic selection by the hand of Gougrouz SL, which has rented the commercial premises where it has established a restaurant, La Tagliatella, and the new concept Lux&Burg.

In this interview, the Director of La Tagliatella-Tibidabo, David Montedeoca, will explain how his first few months managing a restaurant with such a distinct identity as La Tagliatella, with more than two decades specializing in traditional cuisine from the regions of Piedmont, Liguria, and Emilia Romagna, and with pillars as recognizable as its authenticity, through ingredients brought directly from Italy; its generosity, through the quality and quantity of its dishes; and its hospitality, treating each customer as if they were a guest, taking care of every detail to make them feel comfortable.

How was it settling in a location with so much history?

It was a meeting of emotions. A lot of nerves and also a lot of excitement, because we are in a historic building, very significant for the neighborhood, as this was its nerve center. We have been learning all this as we receive customers and they tell us their stories. We have clients who have celebrated everything here: their baptism, their first communion, and their wedding. They have a very personal experience with this building and when they arrive here, they tell you that when they were far away and saw the dome of La Rotonda they thought 'we are home now'.

So let's say that people always remember this building in a positive way…

Not always. Having also been a psychiatric hospital and then a hospice, we are encountering both aspects. On one hand, there are those who have greatly enjoyed their time here and have very fond memories. On the other hand, there are people who do not have such good memories of the place, although it remains an important site in their lives.

Why did they choose this location?

The owners are neighbors from the area and when they went out to dine with their children in the neighborhood, they realized there wasn't much on offer for families. That's why, when they saw the premises under renovation about to be completed, they got in touch with Núñez i Navarro and made up their minds.

What is it like to have an Italian restaurant in Barcelona?

It's a type of food that everyone likes. We have very good products with many different options, so we can attract a wide range of customers. Grandparents come with their children and grandchildren, and everyone finds something they enjoy.

And how do they manage to compete with so many options available in that type of cuisine?

The quality of the product is essential. Always doing things the same way. Whether you come today, next week, or whenever you come, the customer knows what they will receive. A price that matches the quality of the product we offer and also trying to provide the best possible service. In the end, the only thing that can differentiate you with so much on offer is that.

What kind of clientele usually comes to La Tagliatella at La Rotonda?

A little bit of everything. On weekends you might find more families, and during the week a mix of people, notably office workers who want to eat in 45-50 minutes. Here the service is very fast, and having offices upstairs means we have a lot of repeat customers. We also get locals and tourists. More than we thought. With Tibidabo so close, many people come by. In fact, everyone asks us which bus they need to take to get up there.

We know it's a franchise, but still, what value does this particular Tagliatella bring compared to others in the city?

Above all, the location where we are situated gives us a competitive edge over other establishments. The natural light, meticulous decoration, and the modern aspect give it a special touch that sets us apart from the rest. The building is beautiful and has been so well renovated that it attracts customers eager to enjoy traditional Italian cuisine.

For us, our customers come first, and that's why we focus our efforts on taking care of every single detail that makes their experience in our restaurants truly unique. We strive to train and motivate our staff so that they serve our customers in the most efficient and careful manner. We believe that this is also another key to the success of our establishment.

Of all the photographs decorating the place, which one is your favorite?

That of the gondolier from La Rotonda, because it's simple, familiar, and unmistakable. You know it's Venice without a doubt.

What would be the specialty of this Tagliatella?

Truffle products work very well, and the pizzas, which are all handmade in an artisanal way and cooked in our traditional Italian stone oven, are also outstanding. But I wouldn't want to highlight just that. The carpaccios with mozzarella di bufala, the salads shaped like the Tower of Pisa, and the risottos are also in high demand.