José Espasandín
Founder of Los Montes de Galicia in Madrid, open since 1997 and now run day to day by his son Daniel.
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José Espasandín grew up in Pudenza, a small locality in the Brandomil parish of Zas, in A Coruña province, where his grandmother taught him to cook. He moved to Madrid as a teenager and worked as a dishwasher, often unpaid, while learning the trade and saving money, before opening Los Montes de Galicia in 1997 in what's now the Salamanca district, building the menu around his grandmother's recipes. He has since hung up his apron and handed the running of the restaurant to his son, Daniel Espasandín.
Biography
Early years
José Espasandín grew up in Pudenza, a small locality in the Brandomil parish of the municipality of Zas, in A Coruña province, Galicia, where his grandmother taught him to cook.
Career
He moved to Madrid as a teenager, after finishing primary school, and started out as a dishwasher, often working unpaid shifts in different restaurants while learning the trade and saving money. In 1997 he opened Los Montes de Galicia, building its menu on his grandmother's recipes. He has since hung up his apron and handed the running of the restaurant to his son, Daniel Espasandín.
Philosophy
His approach is built on meticulous attention to detail and quality Galician seafood, meats and embutidos, sourced from the region, and recipes handed down from his grandmother, including grilled octopus with potato purée and Galician broth, blended with modern touches.
José Espasandín in our guides
Editorial guides featuring José Espasandín’s restaurants.
Frequently asked
Who founded Los Montes de Galicia?
José Espasandín, who grew up in the Galician village of Pudenza, founded Los Montes de Galicia in Madrid in 1997.
Where is José Espasandín from?
He's from Pudenza, a small locality in the Brandomil parish of Zas, in A Coruña province, Galicia.
Does José Espasandín still run the restaurant day to day?
No. He has hung up his apron and handed the running of Los Montes de Galicia to his son, Daniel Espasandín.
What is the restaurant known for?
Traditional Galician seafood, meats and embutidos, built on recipes José Espasandín learned from his grandmother, including grilled octopus and Galician broth.
Where is Los Montes de Galicia located?
On Calle de Azcona in Madrid's Salamanca district, near the Plaza de Toros, in a large dining room built for both regular service and events.
When did José Espasandín open Los Montes de Galicia?
In 1997, after years working as a dishwasher in Madrid restaurants to save enough to open his own place.