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BARCELONA - Top choices restaurants
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El
Convent
El Convent is a sumptiously decorated fin de siècle-style
restaurant, occupying four storeys of an 18th-century house
in a minute street behind La Boqueria market. Individually decorated
private rooms are available in addition to the attractive public
dining areas. An extensive menu combines cocina Catalana and
international cuisine, with dishes such as chicken with orange
or hake in langoustine cream sauce. Inexpensive group menus
start at under Pta2000/EUR12 per head and include homemade puddings,
such as the ubiquitous crème caramel-like 'flan'.
Carrer Jerusalem 3
Tel: (93) 317 1052. Fax: (93) 302 3112.
E-mail: rbmesa@softly.es
Website: www.rbmesa.com/convent.htm
Price: Pta3500/EUR21. Wine: Pta900/EUR5.
El Pla de la Garsa
Tucked away amid a tangle of medieval streets near the Picasso
Museum, this former dairy and stables has been converted into
a cosy, bohemian retreat retaining many of its original 16th-century
features. Antique tiles, an old spiral staircase and low lamps
create an agreeable ambience in which to enjoy the wide selection
of dishes, high-quality cheeses, pâtés and delicious
puddings, such as caramelised figs.
Carrer Assaonadors 13
Tel: (93) 315 2413.
Price: Pta2500/EUR15. Wine: Pta1000/EUR6.
Euskal Etxea
Otherwise known as the Basque Cultural Centre, some of the best
tapas in town are to be had here. Situated in an idyllic tiny
square near the Picasso Museum and the wondrous church of Santa
Maria del Mar, Euskal Etxea is an atmospheric bar offering a
huge variety of tapas, ranging from the most simple to the most
intricate creations. Tapas appear around noon and around 1900,
so the best choice is to be had early.
Placeta Montcada 1-3
Tel: (93) 310 2185.
Price: Pta1300/EUR8. Wine: Pta1000/EUR6.
Laurak
Specialising in Basque cuisine, reputedly the best in Spain,
Laurak is an un-stuffy, top-notch restaurant located near the
Diagonal. The six-course set menu is amazing value, featuring
modern versions of traditional Basque dishes, such as piquillo
peppers stuffed with salt cod. Extraordinarily creative desserts
include cheese mousse with sweet herb syrup. The decor is low
key, as is the friendly and attentive service.
Carrer La Granada del Penedès 14-16
Tel: (93) 218 7165.
Price: Pta6500/EUR39 (à la carte); Pta5600/EUR34 (set
menu). Wine: Pta2000/EUR12.
Set Portes
The building housing Set Portes is a national monument and has
the distinction of forming the backdrop to the first photograph
ever taken in Spain in 1840. Past diners have included kings,
politicians and an array of famous names from Alexander Fleming
to Ava Gardner. The large dining room is traditionally Catalan
as are the individually decorated private rooms, seating two
to 80. Its old-world charm and legendary paella, zarzuela (fish
stew), fidueà (seafood and spaghettini), maintain its
status as one of Barcelona's favourite restaurants.
Passeig Isabel II 14
Tel: (93) 319 3033 or 2950. Fax (93) 319 3046.
E-mail: admon@setportes.com
Website: www.setportes.com
Price: Pta4000/EUR24. Wine: Pta1000/EUR6. |
Copyright © 2002 Columbus Publishing
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