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Located near exit 79 of the A3 in Tarancón, the reasons to visit the Essentia restaurant are much more than just to make a gastro stop on the way: it is part of a luxury hotel complex (the Hotel Ansares has more than 15. 000 square meters and 70 rooms), serves one of the best meats in the world, has a gastro proposal for any type of palate (in addition to the restaurant and its menu with seasonal products, they have a gastrobar with more casual and tapas options) and all in an enclave that combines history and design with the best technology and innovation. So, when can we prepare the next trip to Tarancón? Take note!
We already know that Castilla-La Mancha is a box of surprises and, when it comes to gastronomy, there are always excellent places to discover. But the Essentia restaurant goes far beyond any usual meal. There are destinations that a priori may seem one thing, but as soon as you try them they become a must. This is the case of Essentia, a restaurant that has been open since 2016 in Tarancón, but today its mission goes beyond the culinary to become an obligatory stop 360.
The foodie essence
In purely gastronomic terms, chef Toño Navarro is at the controls of a kitchen characterized by a special care for the product, of course seasonal and proximity, where the meat has great prominence (they serve the best beef in the world in 2018). And with the Loriente family -owner of Incarlopsa, one of the leading companies in the production of pork products- behind the project, it could not miss that special place for ham. Essentia’s facilities house a ham drying room with a pioneering static cooling system that renews and controls air flow, temperature and humidity, in which more than 1,000 pieces from the Jabugo and Guijuelo D.O. Jabugo and Guijuelo are stored to achieve perfect curing.
Among the delicacies that can be tasted in their dining room, the homemade torreznos, Iberian ham, honeyed Iberian ham croquettes, Galician blonde sirloin steak tartar, the special Essentia anchovy 000, seasonal fish or the incredible Galician blonde beef chop matured for 45 days. In addition, they also offer a tasting menu with 7 passes for 85 €, including the best seasonal products. As for the liquid part, it should be noted that the restaurant has a carefully selected wine cellar, which is made up of more than 300 national and international references.
Essentia also offers a gastrobar section, ideal for groups and more casual meals. Here the menu is more informal and includes dishes such as Russian salad, cheese fritters, pork face, red tuna tartar or the delicious and impressive hamburgers, the Essentia dog on buttered brioche bread with can company sausage, black garlic mayonnaise, spicy ketchup and crispy chives or the pastrami sandwich.
To rest the food
When you walk through the doors of Essentia, you realize that here you come to enjoy much more than an excellent meal. Since 2020, the restaurant has been part of a large complex that includes the Ansares hotel, one of the most complete in the area -it is 50 minutes from Madrid- and has everything you need to enjoy a dream getaway. All its facilities are equipped with the latest technological innovations. In the parking lot there are charging spaces for electric cars and you can access the rooms and the rest of the complex using your smartphone, without the need for a physical card.
The counterpoint is a historic enclave with a special charm, crowned by a spectacular cloister that has that typical Castilian patio of 600 m2 that serves as a terrace. Its exquisite decoration full of local, Asian and colonial references, with countless paintings and sculptures, will leave you spellbound while you enjoy a relaxing moment at its snack bar.
But if what you want is a real zen moment, Ansares offers a wellness area with a heated pool and solarium with a folding roof, Turkish bath and Jacuzzi, as well as a gym. As if that were not enough, you have at your disposal Thalassy Essence, a beauty center that offers different beauty treatments and facial and body care: from massages, manicures, waxing or makeup, among other activities.
The multifunctional space that makes up the Ansares Hotel is completed with a convention center with different facilities and an auditorium of more than 250 m2. Whether for corporate events or special celebrations such as weddings, it will become the ideal place to customize any type of event. So if you thought you were coming to Essentia to experience just another meal, come prepared to be surprised by much more.