Anna De Ventola - Celra

Very warm, loving oneself and enjoying meats are the sensations that we have felt after dinner in this restaurant where you can see that the lunch breaks work harder. We have enjoyed the broth of galettes (if you want carn d 'olla it needs to be ordered when you reserve a table), spectacular beans, correct cannelloni and a grilled lamb at a very good price.The fireplace in the middle of the dining room is a pleasure, as well as the very careful service, we have been keen to return to enjoy the views.

Cuina tradicional amb una carta molt reduïda i poc elaborada. Bon preu. Servei molt millorable. Sala gran amb molt de soroll. Encara que reservis telefònicament, t'has d'esperar per ordre d'arribada. Cuisine traditional with a simple and poor variety of dishes. Good price. Service need to improve. Big saloon with a lot of noise. Although you reserve by phone, you have to wait in order of arrival.

You'd think no one would find it since is hidden in a beautifu valley, but better call in advence. This usually means good food, as this is the case. Went with a large group and had plenty of food with fast service.

The word has obviously got out about Anna 's and despite a longish trek up through a succession of hairpins from Ribes de Freser, and extremely tight parking, the restaurant was heaving. Overnight snow had dusted the nearby peaks and the bright sunshine was so dazzling, the owners lowered the shades. They stick families with children downstairs, which keeps some of the chaos in one place, but were well equipped to cater for all ages. Highchairs, kids portions and a good measure of patience were all in evidence. Our grandson ordered the cannelloni, but pronounced it 'meh ' and filled up on our starter and bread. They bring a platter of embutidos, cold meats, fuet, boudins, chorizo and cheese. You eat your fill and they charge you by weight. Easy. Our mains were hearty country specials, casseroled veal with mushrooms, lamb with apricots, and the 'mixed grill '. This last one was meaty orgy of lamb, sausage, chicken, and rabbit with not a veggie in sight. Anna, who I guess was the lady popping in and out, opens daily all year round and seemed completely unfazed at the sheer volume of customers. The guys waiting on us climbed and reclimbed a flight of stairs with every order and every table change. They must have thighs like mountain goats. Having completely satiated our hunger and thirst we paid a paltry sum for such abundance and set out on gentle ramble round Ventola. This is no-frills service and proper home-cooking, but definitely worth the excursion, and defintely book your table.

The only restaurant in tiny Ventola excells in heating up dishes, using tasteless prefab ingredients, as well as a most unwelcoming service: they'd rather see you go, so meals are rushed through. Thus, if you really have to stay in Ventola, go to Ribes for dinner, stock up on crisps and cookies, or just starve for one night. In any case, do not set foot in Anna's, which is no more than a culinary joke.