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Hidden in the Asturian mountains, Casa Marcial is both deeply local and confidently world-class. Set in Chef Nacho Manzano’s childhood home, the restaurant reflects a profound sense of place—earthy, honest, and elegant. Now crowned with three Michelin stars and a Green Star, it remains warm and welcoming, blending rural charm with serious culinary ambition. There is no showy plating or gimmickry here—just sincere hospitality and a kitchen that honours the land, sea, and the region’s culinary past with intelligence and restraint.
The “El Cachucho” menu began with a brilliant trio: smoked broth with limpets and seaweed, creamy ham croquette, and corn boroño. Intense marine flavors balanced by the smooth croquette and rustic corn—a perfectly composed opener. The mussel dish followed with texture and brightness: mussels inside a corn crisp, paired with a refreshing, lightly sweet pickle. Then came one of the highlights: celery curd with seaweed, cucumber, and sheep sorrel granita—white, delicate, and stunningly acidic.
The squid dish was the least convincing—soft and bland, with little contrast. But the grilled green beans brought things back, elevated by raw mushroom slices, kokotxa, and an enriching foam. Cured lobster with stone fruit and lemon verbena broth was inspired—sweetness from the fruit skin subtly lifting the buttery crustacean.
Trout infused with a forest-floor broth was juicy and vibrant. The cod skin course went unremarked, but the kale juice with pork and razor clams stood out—salty pork nose and meaty clams in harmony. The wild boar plate was minimal on meat, but the sauce, corn, and fava beans made it memorable.
A perfectly grilled grouper followed—glasslike center, spongy texture—flawless execution. Then squab, almost rare but not bloody, full of flavor. The “pitu” was a touch dry, though the pasta stuffed with its offal was soft and delicious.
Desserts were clever and satisfying without being overly sweet: sea granita, crispy corn, cereal cream, a refreshing kefir ice cream, and a corn-mole-chocolate finale. The “corcho tatín” and honey gummy closed the meal playfully.
This was a truly original, mature meal—free of Instagram clichés, rooted in tradition but smartly elevated. A compelling case for Casa Marcial’s three-star status.
10 / 10
