Restaurants/Bars – Page 2

May 31, 2016

Tickets

You need to book two months in advance to even get a table at Tickets. Can it possibly be worth the trouble?

It depends. Tickets ranks 42^nd in this year’s World’s Best Restaurant list among a list of serious fine-dining establishments, but it is, in essence, a tapas joint. That said, there’s a theme – the entrance is like arriving at a theatre, and the wait staff are in ringmaster uniform – and the tapas is unlike anything you’re going to get elsewhere.

We started with a beetroot meringue ‘biscuit’ with horseradish cream filling, and that was just the beginning of a meal of surprise and delight.

In that sense it was absolutely worth the wait. Tickets shows just how creative tapas can be in the hands of masters.

Bigger review here.

Av. del Paraŀlel, 164

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May 30, 2016June 1, 2016

Bodega 1900

Sister to Tickets, just across the road, Bodega 1900 offers a more traditional take on tapas. It leans fairly heavily on the ingredients, and they stand up too. Service is excellent. It’s only a small room, so book ahead.

Carrer de Tamarit, 91

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May 30, 2016

Bianco Noir Bistrot

More a bar than bistro really, though there are some actual meals to be had along with an interesting selection of bar snacks, leaning towards more traditional French fare. The home-made hipster furniture is taken a bit too far, so you’re likely to find one half of your table reclined in a discarded sofa, while the others are on straight-backed dining chairs. Just about gets away with it though, as the bearded guy behind the bar knows his stuff.

C/Riera Alta 8

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May 30, 2016

Arume

A bit of a favourite this one, and not just because it is close to home. Every dish on the menu delivers on its promise, and most are fairly imaginative too, without going over the top. We have pretty much tried everything on the menu and have no complaints whatsoever. The service is spot-on, and the pricing is too low for what they deliver too. No wonder it is always full from ‘tourist hour’ at 7pm until late. Book ahead.

Carrer Botella, 11-13

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May 30, 2016June 1, 2016

Cera 23

The first restaurant in the area by the people behind Arume, Cera 23 is an equally popular destination, albeit with a more straightforward menu. Solid work from the kitchen and efficient wait staff. Go hungry though – the serves are big.

Book ahead.

Carrer de la Cera, 23

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May 30, 2016August 6, 2018

Palosanto

With seating for a maximum of 20 diners, it can be hard to get a table at Palosanto – it doesn’t help that they only have a couple of tables for more than two. What must be the world’s smallest kitchen turns out some pretty decent burgers, along with some more traditional tapas fare, alongside a few more unusual dishes such as the rather nice artichoke salad with tuna.

Rambla del Raval, 26

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May 30, 2016

Robadora

Not exactly the most salubrious corner of town here, with working girls loitering around the street front, though Robadora is a pleasant surprise, and popular too. Not everything on the menu is a hit, though the cod brandade stands out – and is more substantial than you’d expect.

C/ Robadors 18,
T: 932 529 639

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May 30, 2016May 30, 2016

El Dinamic de Bcn

Hugely popular with a young crowd, El Dinamic can be a tricky place to find a table. Never mind – Lando is less popular for no particular reason I can tell, and is right next door. The space barely hides its warehouse origins, and the wait staff are too busy growing their beards to actually serve anybody, though when they do get around to it there are some nice tapas bites to be had here and a selection of local craft beers.

Passatge de Pere Calders, 4

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May 6, 2016May 31, 2016

Café Jaime Beriestain

Okay, so it’s a homewares store. But the setting and the menu is much more than you expect from a café – think international bistro, and you’re on the right path. Worth the walk, though you may need to book in advance.

167 Carrer Pau Claris

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January 4, 2016May 31, 2016

Tragaluz

By the same group as the crowd-pleasing Cuines Santa Catarina and Bar Lobo, and the flagship too, so Tragaluz should be a winner. Certainly the space is right – with its opening roof that should be spectacular on a warm summer evening – and the food presentation is what you’d expect from a place looking for Michelin stars.

But.

We got a bit of attitude from the wait staff on our last visit; some of the dishes were missing promised ingredients (a tomato salad didn’t seem to contain any tomatoes, for instance); and the wine list is quite short.

Almost there, but needs to do better.

Pasaje de la Concepción, 5