Best World Restaurants Guide
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VIA VENETO |
Ganduxer, 10-12; tel.: 93 200 7244; fax: 93 201 6095
Situated in a smart residential district this Belle Epoque style restaurant is one of the most exclusive in Barcelona. The cooking is Catalan with a French influence. I have always enjoyed being able to dine here in attractive surroundings and with good food cooked by chef Jose Muniesa. He changes the menu daily using only the freshest produce from the local market. Some examples from the menu are steamed lobster and its roe with mango in vanilla oil, baked hake cutlet with clams and spinach in green sauce or roast fillet of beef with five peppers and fettuccini. Try honey-caramelised apple with custard and saffron ice-cream or chocolate souffle for dessert.
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NEICHEL |
Beltran I Rozpide, 16 bis; tel.: 93 203 8408; fax: 93 205 6369
Barcelona and the Catalan region is known for its good food and excellent restaurants. One of the very best restaurants in Barcelona is Neichel. Surprisingly Jean-Louis Neichel is from Alsace, probably the only leading French chef cooking in Spain. He trained with the famous Alain Chapel near Lyon and came to Barcelona and opened Neichel in 1981. It is an elegant, spacious establishment, charmingly decorated and with a garden with lemon trees. On my last visit I sampled carpaccio of salmon and sea bass followed by honey-roasted duck with citrus fruits and ended with a gratin of rhubarb and strawberries with spicy ice-cream. Sommelier Xavier Petrirena will offer a large selection of Armagnacs.
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LA DAMA |
Avenida Diagonal, 423; tel.: 93 202 0686; fax: 93 200 7299
On one of the main boulevards we find this very stylish restaurant in a detached Catalan Art Nouveau building, from the beginning of the last century, designed by Manuel Sayrach. The four dining rooms are connected by a hand carved staircase and there are columns, old glass and sculptures that contribute to the atmosphere. The cooking is Catalan/French with dishes like aubergines stuffed with mushrooms and summer truffles, fillets ol sole with king prawns and tarragon or baked duck fillets with peaches. This well located restaurant is a good place to entertain. My wife and I went there with a group of friends and thoroughly enjoyed it.
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CAL PEP |
Placa des les Olles 8; tel.: 93 310 7961
One of the dining secrets of Barcelona, Cal Pep lies close to the Picasso Museum and is a slice of local life. There's actually a Pep himself, and he's a great host, going around to see that everybody is one happy family. In the rear is a small dining room, but most patrons like to occupy one of the counter seats up front.
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CAN GAIG |
Passeig de Maragall, 402; tel.: 93 429 1017; fax: 93 429 7002
Carles Gaig is the fourth generation chef/proprietor of this 130 year old family restaurant with high quality cuisine. It is a stylish establishment with good decor in warm colours and with plenty of fresh flowers. The cooking is of course based on Catalan dishes, both traditional and creative. Among the many interesting offerings on the menu are creme Catalan and Bresse chicken with pine-nuts and prunes. A good game dish is roast partridge with Iberian bacon. Do make a reservation.
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BOTAFUMEIRO |
C/ Mayor de Gracia, 81; tel.: 93 21842 30; 93 217 9642
This already emblematic establishment situated in the centre of Barcelona, keeps in its well-sized wine cellar galician, national and imported wines. The restaurant with its ninety-five tables and seven private rooms, manages to create a complete cosmopolitan atmosphere with its rural decoration with noble wood.
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