The mythical Casa Leopoldo in Raval is not making it and will close this Sunday

BarcelonaOn April 20, 2024, the Banco de Boquerones group took over a historic restaurant in the city of Barcelona: Casa Leopoldo. And this Sunday they will close its doors, as communicated by the group's owner, Bruno Balbás, on the restaurant's Instagram. The iconic establishment in the Raval had been through a lot since its charismatic owner, Rosa Gil, passed away. It had a new period of splendor when chefs Òscar Manresa and Romain Fornell took over, but the project was cut short by the pandemic. Afterwards, a Chinese family took over, who served Asian food and dispensed with some of the architectural elements that had made the place very recognizable. This venture did not work out, and it was then that the Banco de Boquerones group – owner of other restaurants such as Casa Ràfols, Can Framis, and Casa Lolea – took on the challenge. Their intention was to bring back the original gastronomic proposal and serve the classic oxtail. In addition, they personalized two private rooms, one dedicated to Rosa Gil, and preserved the table dedicated to Manuel Vázquez Montalbán, accompanied by a commemorative plaque.

"Today we have to share some sad news: after many efforts we have decided to close Casa Leopoldo under our direction. It has not been an easy decision at all and we have tried with all our heart," says Balbás in the video. Its owners tried to revitalize the restaurant, located at the beginning of La Rambla del Raval, with a grand tribute lunch to Rosa Gil held on June 4 of last year. The former owner had been away from the public eye for some time, and they wanted to gather friends and regular customers to share a meal. The city's mayor, Jaume Collboni, also made an appearance at this commemoration. Even then, Bruno Balbás admitted to ARA that it was difficult to attract the public and that, despite the effort, the numbers were not turning out as they had predicted. In the farewell video, where he announces they are open until Sunday the 28th, Balbás states that "there is courage in knowing how to take this step," and expresses his gratitude and wishes that "the history of Casa Leopoldo and that of the wonderful Rosa Gil continue to live on in the memory of all of you." The video concludes with the lowering of the shutter.

The restaurant started in 1929 and took its name from its owner, Leopoldo Gil. He was Rosa Gil's grandfather, who with her charisma, and accompanied by personalities of the time such as Eduardo Mendoza, Terenci Moix, Maruja Torres, or Manuel Vázquez Montalbán himself and his detective Pepe Carvalho – who in his books claimed that Casa Leopoldo was his favorite restaurant –, made it famous. The historic venue, therefore, closes a new chapter. It remains to be seen what the next one will be.