Hump Day History

 


The oldest restaurant in the world, Casa Botin, in Madrid.

It was founded in 1725, but the building itself can be traced back to 1590.

French cook Jean Botín first established a bakery.  When he died, his nephew Cándido Remis, opened a small inn and renovated the first floor.  Today there are four floors, and efforts have been made to preserve the inn-like atmosphere.


As an inn, they were restricted from selling meat or wine, and could only cook what a guest brought in.  Later, it became known as a "house of meals."  

The business is now run by the Gonzalez family, acquired in the 1930's.

During the Civil War, the floor was converted into a dining room for militiamen.  After the post-war period, the Gonzalez sons took over and started making the place what it is today.

Cheers to 300 years!!


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