You want trendy and good food, huh? OK, no problem...
- Bestiari, in the Born, is outstanding. It's at the corner of Carrers Commerç and Fusina, across from the excavation site of the old market. Especially try the shaved foie gras with almond biscuits, the kangaroo, and (if they have it) the dessert of balsamic ice cream. Artemi, the chef, is extremely creative and the space makes innovative use of original artwork in the walls and floors. This place is fairly new and is one of the "it" spots in town right now. http://www.bestiari.info/home.htm (full disclosure - this place belongs to a close friend but I woudn't recommend it on FT if I didn't think it was a standout). FlyerTalker Fredmartens claimed in a trip report that it was one of the five best meals of his life. Moderately expensive (100€ with wine). Stop by Over the Club, a couple of doors down at C/Fusina, 7, for drinks after dinner if you like.
- Mastroque, Carrer Codols, 29, is a tiny place in a thousand-year-old building in the Gothic Quarter just off of Las Ramblas. It's basically the only business in a dark alley, but don't be put off by that - it is without doubt my favorite place to eat in BCN. They serve a pica-pica menu with several things that really, really stand out: foie (the cold, not the hot), potato-and-apple timbal, perfumed cecina, caramelized goat cheese, duck breast...actually the whole menu is pretty amazing but those are my favorites. Let them pick a wine for you. I wouldn't characterize this as trendy, but if you're a foodie I'd say it's a do-not-miss. Cheap (25-30€ with a house wine).
Note that both of these places you will have to book a table. You can have your concierge do it for you. Bestiari, the afternoon of, and Mastroque the night before.
- A less formal recommendation, but another "do not miss" is some afternoon tapas at BCN's best tapa place. This is another off-the-beaten-path venue, and you're guaranteed to find zero tourists there. Cerveceria El Vaso de Oro at C/Balboa, 6, is a teeny, tiny place (behind the Estació de França) with a huge bar and more people than you ever thought could fit inside a bar. Don't be shy, just belly up. You'll probably have to eat standing up (hint - there are ledges under the windows just wide enough for a couple plates and a beer) but I promise it will be worth it. They have all the traiditional tapas - patatas bravas, calamares, mussels, a big variety of pinxitos, lost of salads - but you're going for two things: pimientas patronas and solo mio. The pimentas are deep-fried green chiles (not breaded) with sea salt and while it may not sound all that appetizing I assure you'll have no problem polishing off a plate and asking why we don't have this back home. The solo mio is cubed beef tenderloin grilled with sea salt and whole garlic cloves. The place is cheap but be aware that the solo mil is 24€/plate and two people can easily enjoy two plates. And call it a bargain.
- One final recommendation - if you decide to do a daytrip to Sitges (where I live, about a 30 min train ride), I'm happy to take you to El Cafe de la Plata for dinner or a late lunch. It is a super-trendy seaside cafe, the type with beatiful people doing 4-hour lunches while a DJ plays chillout music on the terrace. It's hosted dinners for two FT dos, and pretty much every FTer who's ever been to my neck of the woods (something like 20 and counting). http://www.elcafedelaplata.net
Last edited by alanw; May 5, 2004 at 4:00 pm
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