08.15.09

A Barcelona Culinary Review…

Posted in Barcelona at 6:57 pm by cecilia

Barcelona is everything we expected from a city and more – culture, architecture (Gaudí), art (Picasso, Dalí, Miró), history, sun, beaches, convenient public transit, people-watching (Las Ramblas), shops, vibrant and youthful energy…the list goes on. Would you be surprised if I told you that my heart was absolutely captivated by the food scene in Barcelona? In particular, Catalan-style cooking and attitude. It’s filled with colors, flavors, aromas, textures, and most of all, a sense of community.

They say a picture speaks a thousand words. I thought I’d create a montage of photos that I took in this contagiously passionate metropolis and share it with my readers. Following the video, I’ve included addresses and commentary of these featured establishments for your reference. I hope this will prove to be useful for your future visit to this versatile and inventive city.

Cerveseria Catalana

Location:
C/ Mallorca 236
08008 Barcelona
Phone:
+34 932 160 368

This tapas bar is always crowded with locals and tourists alike, but for a good reason. They serve undeniably great tapas surrounded by a lively ambiance. Right at the entrance, the bar is topped with mouth-watering fresh seafood and quick eats. The dining area in the back provides comfortable seating for small (2-4) to medium (6-8) size groups. You will find quality tapas from baby calamari (sepias), to razor clams and Pedrón peppers, to classic esqueixada with goat cheese, patatas bravas and pa amb tomàquet (Catalan for bread with tomato). The dessert list is hard to ignore – Crema Catalan, chocolate lava cake, pastís de pinyons (pastry of pine nut), and more. Expect a wait from 30 minutes to an hour when you come from 8:30-10 p.m. This place is still hopping after midnight during the week.

Ca la Nuri

Location:
Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, 55
(downstairs from Hospital del Mar)
Phone:
+34 93 221 37 75
Website:
http://www.entaulat.com/calanuriplatja/index.php?lang=en

A hidden gem by the sea front at the Barceloneta’s beach, Ca la Nuri definitely stands out from all the other adjacent eateries in the area. Watermelon gazpacho is on the menu during summer months which is the most refreshing way to start a meal. You will find traditional rice dishes like paella and arroz negro (black rice made with squid and squid ink). Not to be missed is also the Catalan noodle dish called fideuà. It’s very similar to paella, except it’s made with short strands of noodles. Needless to say, their seafood is exceptionally fresh. We loved this place so much, we went there twice during our 7-day stay in Barcelona.

Tapaç 24

Location:
C/ Diputació 269
08007 Barcelona
Phone:
+34 934 880 977
Website:
http://www.comerc24.com/tapac24/english/index.html

Following the success of fine-dining Comerç 24, restaurateur Carles Abellan opened a tapas bar right in the heart of the city off of Passeig de Gracia. This unassuming eatery has a dining area in the “basement” of the building. You can enjoy their tapas at the bar or the bar tables.  We had a sangria made with the local cava (Spanish sparkling white wine). Boy! Was it refreshing for a hot summer day. Here they serve the traditional esqueixada de bacalao (a salad with salt cod). It was possibly everybody’s favorite. Don’t miss their invention Mc-Foie. It’s a mini-hamburger with foie gras, grilled to perfection. If there weren’t so many tapas choices, I would have ordered seconds of this dish.

Bilbao Berria

Location:
Plaça Nova, 3
08002 Barcelona
Phone:
+34 933 170 124
Website:
http://www.bilbaoberria.com

Located on the square of Catedral de Barcelona, Bilbao Berria boasts of a wide gastronomic varieties of tapas laid out at the bar buffet style. Perhaps their signature is the toothpicks that they use on every individual tapas. You pick what you want as you see them at the bar, and your server will count the toothpicks at the end of your meal. Upstairs has a very casual bar atmosphere. Downstairs is a spacious dining room with classy decor and similar tapas that you will find upstairs, plus an entrée menu for a slightly more formal dining experience. It’s a fun place to eat regardless.

La Tagliatella

Location:
(Visit the following website)
Website:
http://www.trastevere.es/eng/restaurante.php?id=23

Don’t ask me why, but sometimes locals and travelers might want to take a break from the delectable Spanish cooking. La Tagliatella is a franchise Italian restaurant that offers authentic flavors from Il Piemonte, La Liguria and La Reggio Emilia regions of Italy. Their pastas truly impressed everyone in my group.

Cacao Sampaka

Location:
C/ Consell de Cent, 292
08007 Barcelona
Phone:
+34 93 272 08 33
Website:
http://www.cacaosampaka.com

This is a market filled with everything chocolate such as chocolate bars, “temptations”, sauces, and spreads. After walking around the city all day, a stop in their cafeteria for a cup of hot chocolate with some pastries or simply a chocolate dessert will recharge you immediately.

Condes de Barcelona

Location:
Passeig de Gràcia, 73-75
08008 Barcelona
Phone:
+34 93 445 00 00
Website:
http://www.condesdebarcelona.com

This is the best hidden secret with a prime location on Passeig de Gracia – a major street where Gaudí’s famous building La Pedrera is right next door. This hotel consists of two buildings across the street from one another. Both buildings have a unique roof-top terrace with a spectacular view of the Modernista area of the city. A great spot for sunset pre-dinner drinks.

Escribà

Location:
(See their website)
Website:
http://www.escriba.es

We went to the Rambla shop where the building was refurbished in 1902 from Casa Figueras, former home of the famous Figueras family who were makers of pasta and semolinas. When you have a chance to enjoy the fine pastries and baked goods at Escribà, take a moment to look around the building and observe the beautiful Art Nouveau details inside and out.

Heladeria Verdú

Location:
C/ Bruc 126
08037 Barcelona
Phone:
+34 932 075 630‎

A small family-owned ice-cream shop that offers some unique and most common flavors. I had a memorable ice-cream cone with turrones flavor. It was recommended by the shop owner. They have many other local treats to satisfy your sweet tooth. Give them a try if you’re in the neighborhood. It’s at the corner of Mallorca and Bruc.

Cook and Taste

Website:
http://www.cookandtaste.net

Submerge yourself in a Spanish kitchen near the market of La Boqueria where you can learn some authentic Catalan cooking from getting fresh produce in the market to whipping up a giant paella with the instructor’s directions. It’s a fun and tasty activity to have while touring Barcelona.

Last but not least, I want to extend a big thanks to my new friend Julie who gave me so many wonderful restaurant recommendations for our visit, and Kiku at Barcelona B&B (http://www.barcelonabb.com) for his personal and delightful hospitality. Our stay was certainly more special because of you.

¡Muchos gracias!

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