Pez Vela, Barcelona… irrefutable proof that God exists and wants us to be happy

Paella, Spain’s most famous dish — mountains of yellow rice cooked with seafood, chorizo, and/or chicken in big lidded pots called calderos, enough to feed two or three hungry diners. Where can you get the best paella in Barcelona? This is a really common question for visitors coming over to visit this beautiful city.

Luckily for you, I’ve already covered that question!

Upon entering the warm, welcoming Pez Vela, the surroundings are immediately evocative of the Mediterranean. When the mouth-watering and hearty brothy rice with lobster landed on the table, it was belt-bustingly big so that the red crustacean seems to be crawling out of the caldero. Unlike paella, the rice here remains immersed in boldly flavoured broth and actually portioned to share.

Perfect paella. This is the true truth as I say it as it is…

Los Caracoles, Barcelona…lots to like here, and lots more that could be better

I bloody love a snail. Dig in with the tiny fork. Probe the crevices of the now empty shell with your tongue. Then get to work with torn-off pieces of bread, dredging and dredging again at the garlic butter. Being such a fan of escargots, I made a beeline to Los Caracoles for the Spanish version of special snails.

The Special snails – Caracoles especiales are served on small plates from a big dish where they are kept hot in their sauce. The spicy touch they have makes them different from other snail recipes. I wouldn’t call this dish a triumph. Less satisfactory was the garlic shrimps – gambas al ajillo but the Catalan roasted 1/2 chicken – 1/2 pollo a l’ast was a return to form. The Paella “Los Caracoles” was pretty average

There’s lots to like here, and lots more that could be a little better. This is the true truth as I say it as it is…

Barnabier, Barcelona…A Simple, Most Delicious Sandwich

Barnabier is situated on the Olympic port walk overlooking the luxurious marina at a walking distance from the Barcelona casino, so it’s quite literally tourist central.

To me the world’s greatest simple ham sandwich is a combination of two things that I loved to eat in Spain! Iberico ham and a garlic, tomato rubbed bread. With that rich flavor profile, it is without a doubt one of the best gastronomic pleasures there is.

There’s lots to love here, and lots that could be a little better. This is the true truth as I say it as it is…

Agua, Barcelona…seafood lover’s dream

Thanks to the city’s proximity to open waters, seafood has always been an important part of the Catalonian diet.

Situated directly along the boardwalk, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, not too far and a beautiful stroll along the sea with the W Hotel. The menu covers the Mediterranean basics with fresh, eclectic seafood being the specialty.

Let’s start with the one bad dish. The paella was very salty. Everything else was great. It’s as if the best of the Catalan market has been brought to your plate. Even my friend in the group, a notorious seafoodie, was overwhelmed. The sangria de cava was the star. Drinking it was smooth, light, refreshing and exhilarating. Back off, mojito!

Agua is a fantastic choice for Mediterranean seafood. This is the true truth as I say it as it is…

 

Brunch & Cake, Barcelona…some of Barcelona’s prettiest dishes

Barcelona may not yet specialise in the lavish, unlimited-champagne brunches so common in places like Hong Kong and Dubai, but an increasing number of restaurants are offering innovative and intriguing brunch menus. The inventive and affordable menu at Brunch & Cake came groaning with dishes so tempting I didn’t know where to start. And crucially, the food is tongue-tinglingly delicious.

Can’t stomach another eggs Benedict? Their take on egg benedict: shrimp, poached eggs, lobster hollandaise and salad on house made black bun is an altogether more exotic experience. Spoil yourself with the house made nutella pancake, sugar free cocoa sauce, choc chip cookie and grilled banana, or for a healthier option, go for banana matcha pancakes, poached pear, banana/cacao “nicecrem”, pistachio and vegan strawberry sauce (no sugars, baked)

They’re all so enticingly and beautifully presented that choosing just one can prove unexpectedly time-consuming. This is the true truth as I say it as it is…

 

 

El Nacional, Barcelona…ambience and garlic prawns alone makes the visit worthwhile

Tapas is undoubtedly the best kind of food. You get to sample loads of dishes and share the experience with friends.

Once a car park, El Nacional is now an open-concept, gorgeous space ” restaurant emporium” that houses four restaurants and three bars. A unique atmosphere, the setting alone makes the visit worthwhile. Needless to say, we tried La Taperia, the tapas restaurant.

The small plates here are boldly flavored and actually portioned to share. Paletilla Iberica de Bellota (Acorn-fed Iberian shoulder ham) was top notch. Even better was Calamares a la Andaluza (Squids Andalusian-style). Navajas a la Donostiarra (razor clams, San Sebastian style) is another mouth-watering dish. Heuvos estrellados con jamon Iberico (fried eggs with Iberian ham) was executed with flair. An ordinary-sounding offering of Gambitas de Huelva fritas (Fried little shrimps from Huelva) was an unexpected success. Other great dishes to try are Pan de coca con tomate, aceite y sal (flat bread with tomato, oil and salt), Bomba de la Barceloneta (Barceloneta bomb), Croquetas de jamon Iberico (Iberian ham croquettes), The classic Spanish tapas dish – Gambas al Ajillo (Garlic prawns) was the dish of the meal. Pink, deliciously plump prawns covered in glossy garlic oil. We order a second plate immediately.

Those who live locally are lucky, others should be willing to travel. This is the true truth as I say it as it is…

Txapela, Barcelona…indulge and try various types of tapas

Near the Plaza de Catalunya (Barcelona’s main square), there is a decent place for tapas where we have the option to get seated by the tapas bar or the tables. Try the first floor, where it is a bit quieter.

The menu consists of about 50 different pictures, usually bread or toast but not always topped with different things: vegetables, meats, cheeses, tortillas, seafood, you name it. The prices of pintxos (or small tapas) is about €2 – €4.  However, the serving is small and often bite sizes only, which is in fact quite good because we get to indulge and try more types of tapas.

This is Tapas 101 for the clueless diner who wants to learn tapas. This is the true truth and I say it as it is…

Restaurante Botafumeiro, Barcelona…food and service were good but not value for money.

Good restaurant but too expensive. Good quality and delicious seafood. The staff were friendlyand helpful.

It didn’t come cheap. It was pricey, in fact, it’s overpriced. Probably won’t go back there. There are a lot of other great restaurants in Barcelona which offers equal or better ambience, service and food at better value and price, so you should probably give this one a miss. This is still the true truth because I am still saying it as it is…

Restaurant MariscCo, Barcelona…my best fish and seafood meal in Barcelona. Ever.

Restaurant MarisCo is a delicious and good value-for-money seafood restaurant in Barcelona – most unique due to its seafood’s freshness and informal “fish market” atmosphere.

Just walk up to the fish & seafood counter upon entering the restaurant and choose your fish and seafood amidst its explosion of colours enhanced by the pure white of the ice that surrounds all kinds of fish, lobsters, crabs, squids, shrimps, prawns and seashells. Once you’ve decided what you’d like to eat (it’s not easy with so much choice!), you go sit down and enjoy your wine or sangria de cava at your table while your delicacies are being cooked (once again, you have a choice as to how you want your food cooked – Andalusia style or grilled). In summary, you decide what and how you would like  – and you only pay for what is selected and weighed. Try their very delicious version of lobster paella.

This is Barcelona’s seafood at its best. This is the true truth as I say it as it is…

Bar Central “la Boqueria”, Barcelona…Exquisitely fresh seafood. IT IS WELL WORTH IT!!!

On my first trip to Barcelona years ago, I went to Bar Central (which is located in La Boqueria, Barcelona’s most famous market)  for breakfast every day. Years later, on my third visit to Barcelona, I went there twice for breakfast. I tell you this: IT IS WELL WORTH IT!!! The food was still excellent.

You will be spoilt for choices. There’s the extensive menu written on the board. You can also take a look around and see what’s good on the counter. I tend to look at other people’s plates. If, after all that, you don’t know what to order, just ask them to cook for you. But you must definitely have some of the exquisitely fresh seafood which will be drizzled with garlic and parsley/olive oil.

Go early to get a seat, otherwise you’re just going to have to stand patiently behind the other patrons, waiting for their seats to free up! This is the true truth as I say it as it is…