| lona: A Culinary Adventure | | | | is that skinny noodles replace rice. |
| Barcelona, regarded as one of Europe’s most | | | | Mar i muntanya (sea and mountain) is a specialty dish |
| visually stunning cities, is mostly associated with art and | | | | which is hard to hide from. In Barcelona, chefs have |
| architecture. Barcelona is considered a place to go for | | | | their own method of surf and turf. It is not merely the |
| a cultural experience. With culture comes food. | | | | predictable steak and shrimp that most Americans |
| From 2005 to 2006 Barcelona commanded culinary | | | | know. Sea and mountain pairs game with seafood. So |
| respect when it hosted a 12-month celebration and | | | | you may well find at your fingertips a platter of rabbit |
| exhibition of food. Since then, Barcelona has not been | | | | with prawns or meatballs with cuttlefish. |
| able to live down its reputation. | | | | Pa amb tomaquet is thick rustic bread doused with |
| Barcelona features chefs from all over Spain and | | | | olive oil and rubbed with garlic and tomatoes topped |
| around the world, but an appreciation of two qualities | | | | by a pinch of salt. This is a Catalan staple that is |
| — local and fresh— bind them together. | | | | delicious anytime. |
| People in Barcelona love fish, rabbit, duck, lamb and | | | | Espinacas a la Catalana is spinach made divine by |
| natural ingredients such as mushrooms and herbs from | | | | cooking it in olive oil, with garlic, pine nuts, raisins and |
| the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean. If you’ve | | | | sometimes bacon bits. |
| never been able to tell when dishes are made from | | | | Additionally, there are five sauces that lie at heart of |
| frozen ingredients, a visit to Barcelona will grant you | | | | Catalan cuisine: |
| the ability. | | | | Sofregit consists of fried onions, tomato and garlic. |
| Barcelona’s chefs have a signature style which | | | | Samfaina is sofregit with red pepper and eggplant. |
| is unique pairing. You will find menus with creative and | | | | Picada has a base of ground almonds accompanied |
| tempting food couples such as duck and pears and | | | | by garlic, parsley, pine or hazel nuts, and usually |
| goose with prunes. Fish with nuts is also popular. | | | | breadcrumbs. |
| Visitors usually find the combination of flavors quite | | | | Allioli is pure garlic and virgin olive oil whipped into a |
| irresistible. More than a few travelers overspend | | | | mayo that you will find served with potatoes and |
| because they are enticed by food adventures. For | | | | vegetables. |
| many, the tasty budget busting is well worth it. | | | | Romesco consists of almonds, tomato, olive oil, garlic |
| Advice Before You Go Out | | | | and vinegar. This sauce is sometimes used as salad |
| Speaking of money, there are a few things to consider | | | | dressing. |
| unless the number of euros you peel off | | | | Drinking |
| doesn’t concern you. | | | | Barcelona’s cuisine is most often complimented |
| If you choose to eat in touristy places, you will eat like | | | | with robust Catalan wines from the Pendes region. |
| a tourist. That means you will get scanty portions of | | | | While you may enjoy the chase of hunting down a |
| somewhat authentic and mediocre food. | | | | nice red wine, white wines are almost always better. |
| Lunch, usually served from 2 to 4 p.m., is the | | | | Most popular is cava, a local sparkling white wine. |
| locals’ main meal of the day. If money and | | | | Sangria is also popular. Some restaurants place jugs |
| value concern you, it should be yours too. Most | | | | of it on the tables. This drink is usually made with wine |
| restaurants offer a menu of the day which may be | | | | and fruit punch. But be careful. Sometimes sangria is |
| one of the most delicious deals in Europe. Usually you | | | | laced with brandy. For those who aren’t |
| get three generous courses including wine and coffee | | | | accustomed to the mixture, the end results can be |
| for only €5.50 to €25. | | | | heavy. |
| Dinner in a restaurant may be something you wish to | | | | Estrella Damm is a local beer that has several |
| try for a night or two. If you plan to dine in restaurants | | | | varieties. If you are going for potency, you’ll |
| every night, hopefully you are not a budget traveler. | | | | want Voll Damm. If you want to experiment with your |
| People of Barcelona eat late and enjoy courses. | | | | brew, order a clara, which is beer with a generous |
| Dinner rarely starts for locals before 9pm. | | | | splash of lemonade. |
| Don’t be shocked to find that the portions are | | | | Bars, cafes, tapas, whiskerias (singles bars filled with |
| small, especially if you eat in a touristy restaurant. | | | | professional escorts) xampanyerias (cava bars), |
| Usually items are a la carte. So you may find that you | | | | restaurants and beer halls— each of these |
| order a meat dish but vegetables, if desired, must be | | | | places have their own styles and offerings. In |
| ordered separately. By the time you receive the bill, it | | | | Barcelona, you won’t go hungry or thirsty. And |
| can easily amount to €55 or €60 per | | | | you won’t be able to stick to a diet either. |
| person. | | | | Located in the Sants-Montjuic district of Barcelona, the |
| To do as the locals do, in lieu of restaurants for dinner, | | | | Mossen Costa i Llobera Garden is considered by |
| you will choose tapas. If tapas had to be compared to | | | | many to be one of the most important succulent plant |
| something, fast food would probably be best. But the | | | | gardens in the world. Dedicated to cacti and other |
| offerings are not burgers and fries. | | | | tropical plants from as far away as Ethiopia, Kenya, |
| Tapas are small portions of fresh foods that are | | | | and Mexico, the garden offers a range of scenery |
| prepared quickly. A delicious example is gambas ajillo | | | | unlike anywhere else in the area. |
| (shrimp in garlic). Tapas dishes are not designed to get | | | | Mossen Cinto Verdaguer Garden |
| you full. And, the tapas experience is not meant to be | | | | The Mossen Cinto Verdaguer Garden, which is also |
| had in single location. The idea is to have a dish or two | | | | located in the Sants-Montjuic district, is known for its |
| in one place and continue to the next and the next until | | | | beauty and tranquility. Dedicated to aquatic, bulb, and |
| you have had your fill. | | | | rhizome plants, the garden showcases outstanding |
| Breakfast in Barcelona is far from an extravagant | | | | planning based on color and height, with extra |
| affair. For most people, a cup of strong coffee will do. | | | | consideration given to the blooming period of each |
| Sometimes locals go for bread or patisseries. | | | | species. The best time to visit is from March to April or |
| Specialties | | | | July to September when the garden is in full bloom. |
| Barcelona’s diet is a healthy one which thrives | | | | With so many beautiful gardens to see in Barcelona, it |
| on seafood, fibrous vegetables and red wine. But the | | | | can be hard deciding on which ones to visit. For a |
| three absolute musts in every kitchen are olive oil, | | | | unique experience, consider going to one of the |
| tomatoes and garlic. | | | | city’s thematic gardens. With a different theme |
| Fideua is a good example of how the popular | | | | featured in each of the three locations, you can |
| ingredients merge. This dish is like a special Catalan | | | | witness spectacular sights unlike anything else in the |
| paella. It is cooked in a large flat pan with olive oil, | | | | city. |
| shellfish, poultry, meat and vegetables. The unique twist | | | | |