Archive for the ‘Restaurants’ Category
Best sushi in Barcelona
Saturday 16 September 2006 in Barrio Gotico, Japanese
For truly authentic, no-glitz sushi, head over to Tokyo Sushi on C/ Comtal, just off Portal de l’Angel. It’s a small, quiet, family-run place - the father and son take turns in the small but efficient sushi kitchen (and yes, that is his son, although he doesn’t look Japanese!), turning out perfectly presented plates of damn fine sushi. Of course they also do noodles, teriyaki, and other dishes, but I go for the sushi and nothing more!
C/ Comtal, 20 Tel: 93 317 61 80
Ca L’Isidre, Best Catalan Restaurant in Barcelona!
Sunday 21 May 2006 in Catalan, El Raval
If you’re looking for a classic Catalan dining experience, and you don’t mind paying top whack, I certainly recommend Ca L’Isidre, on the edge of the El Raval district. It has a well-deserved reputation (even the King dines here occassionally!), and is worth the money. Without going mad on the winelist, expect to pay about €150 to €200 for 2 persons.
I opted for the raviolis stuffed with langustinos, lima, and ginger, and have to say it was one of the best starters I’ve ever had. The main, seared tuna steak with sea salt and tomato coulis, was super fresh. And I had to go for the famous chocolate mousse, and my conclusion was the fame is well-deserved - mouth-wateringly delicious.
My dining partner went for a mushroom-based starter with poached egg and deliciously creamy salsa, again a fantastic starter. Being a carnivor, ribs of a young goat followed, and were reportedly delicious. To finish, a fruit tart, and once again like you’ve never tasted.
Edit: And how could I forget the cherry-based Gazpacho aperitivo?!? If anyone told me that the combination of cherry, garlic and tomato was worthy trying, I’d laugh, but no, it was fantastic, truly original and delicious!
Go easy on the wine list - it’s extensive, and expensive - if you feel the urge to splurge a grand on a bottle, this is the place to do it! My dining partner and I shared a Priorat, Les Terrasses 2003, for a modest €40, and agreed that it was “buenísimo”!
Isidre Gironés, the owner, goes to the nearby Mercat de la Boqueria every morning to scrupulously follow the seasons and get the best of the catch of the day. The cooking style here has nothing to do with the more modern styles practiced elsewhere in town; what’s served is superb and subtly modernized traditional Catalan cooking. The Gironés’s daughter Nuria, who now runs the kitchen, is responsible for the sumptuous desserts.
Definitely one of the best restaurants in town - classic Catalan cooking at it’s very best.
Ca L’Isidre C Flors 12, Barcelona, 93 441 11 39
Not all paellas are created equal
Sunday 12 March 2006 in Restaurants
A sunny Sunday afternoon in Barcelona, and immediately one’s thoughts turn to a long lunch by the sea. When this idea pans out well, life is good, but when it doesn’t, it’s just bloody annoying. Top tip: if you’ve made a reservation at a good restaurant (and if you haven’t, forget finding a last-minute table!), then make sure you turn up on time! Today I didn’t, meaning that I had to cruise the entire Villa Olympica area in a desperate search for somewhere to eat. Finally found a table right in the port, I’ll name the restaurant when I can remember it, so you can avoid it - lousy service (ok, they were busy, but half an hour to get bread?!?), over-priced, and a totally tasteless paella. And a crap bottle of wine. Damn, I hate it when an eating experience turns out badly…
Moo Restaurant, Hotel Omm
Sunday 22 January 2006 in Restaurants
Wow, that was an exceptionally classy and interesting eating experience! I recently ate at the Moo Restaurant, located within the Hotel Omm, and certainly recommend it as a very unusual eating experience. Ostensibly Haute Cuisine, of the now distinct Catalan variety, it is very much a feast of the senses.
The decor is classy, not overly minimilist. The service was both attentive and friendly, very discreet but on the ball - not once did I have to even think about keeping my glass of bubbly topped up. The menu itself has something to offer everyone, from interesting twists on normal dishes to some way-out-there inventions. I had the Salmon Tartare - with real smoke (had to try that one!), and a tuna steak deliciously poco-hecho…but the desserts, oh man, the desserts were something else. If you go, you’ve got to try the “Viajo a la Havana” - somehow they’ve replicated the cuban cigar as a dessert, and it is incredible (as long as you like the taste of smoke!)…I also couldn’t resist their attempt to recreate a fragrance by Carolina Herrara as a dessert, which was remarkably accurate.
All in all, a classy, sexy place to dine out for the night - just try not to trip over the Ferraris on your way out!
Lazy Saturday lunch at the Santa Caterina market
Saturday 17 December 2005 in Restaurants
Today I meandered down to the recently opened Santa Caterina market, just off Via Laietana. There’s a great little eatery in there, who’s name escapes me, where they make fantastic dishes every day, the menu changing according to what they get from the market that day. Um um…I’d skipped breakfast, so I started with a fried egg on fried potatoes, so simple and yet absolutely delicious, especically when washed down with a copa de cava…followed by mokfish with asparagus and tomatoes, the fish was astoundingly fresh and again absolutely delicious, especially when washed down with a second copa de cava…a selection of cheeses to finish off, a quick café solo, and on to the Boqueria market to buy some fresh prawns. Aah, these are the things that make Barcelona so pleasurable for those who enjoy idling…
Best paella in Barcelona
Friday 16 December 2005 in Restaurants
Now, I’m sure this is a contentious subject, as everyone has their own opinion on this one. Well, here’s mine, based on extensive paella eating around Barcelona…my vote goes to Can Majó, right on the Barceloneta sea front. In fact, all the seafood I’ve tried there is fantastic, right down to the cod buñuelos, which I normally loathe.
They have an outdoor terrace, perfect for a leisurely lunch as you watch life go by on the esplanade. This does leave you open to blackmail by those damned accordion-carrying buskers, but ignore them and they will eventually go away. Honest, just please don’t give them money, or they’ll be back!
Best to reserve a table (93 221 54 55) as it gets full pretty fast on the weekends.
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