| The Catalan Capital of Barcelona is enjoying a | | | | people, so it's equally cool to do with a group of friends, |
| renewed success with new Michelin stars awarded in | | | | but for that extra special treat, there's no better way |
| 2009 and spawns of Ferran Adrià's "El Bulli" | | | | to eat dinner than hanging below the stars. Live music |
| restaurant - voted the best restaurant in the world for | | | | is also provided at the start and finish of the meal, and |
| an unprecedented third year running - mushrooming up | | | | if you're in the city between July and September, this is |
| all over the city. Combine this with the huge immigrant | | | | a great Tuesday night to spend. |
| population in Barcelona and anyone is spoiled for | | | | If you're thinking about something exotic, then I can |
| choice when it comes to eating out, and most visitors | | | | highly recommend Thai Gardens. Of the many |
| to the city will take away a great taste of Catalonia or | | | | copycat restaurants that have emerged, this is the |
| other world cuisine for a fraction of the price as | | | | original and unbeatable. The restaurant itself is fitted |
| countries such as Italy, for example. So what about the | | | | with fantastic décor, buddahs and the staff don |
| romantic couple, looking for that special meal? | | | | traditional dress. The food itself is absolutely exquisite, |
| Barcelona is flanked on one side by Montjüic | | | | and there are various tasting menus. The best thing, |
| mountain - the site of the 1992 Olympic games - and is | | | | though, is that if the restaurant is not particularly busy |
| the first choice for two of the best meals with a view. | | | | or if you book ahead, you can have one of the |
| The first is the restaurant El Xalet, which is just next to | | | | traditional Thai tables, which are on the floor with |
| the Olympic diving boards and comes complete with | | | | sunken areas for your feet. This adds an extra special |
| concierge parking - one of the few restaurants in the | | | | quality to the evening (or indeed the daytime) and |
| city to offer that. The restaurant is perched half way | | | | transports you to the Far East whilst still being in the |
| up Monjüic and offers some spectacular views | | | | heart of the Mediterranean. |
| of the bustling city lights of Barcelona below. The | | | | If meat is your preferred choice, then head up to |
| restaurant is not cheap, but for a special occasion you | | | | Avenida del Tibidbo to El Asador de Aranda. This |
| can choose from a fantastic quality menu, and | | | | magnificent building features in Carlos Ruiz Zafon's |
| fantastic desserts - which you need to order on arrival, | | | | Barcelona-based novel, The Shadow of the Wind, and |
| as they are made especially for you. | | | | serves the best lamb in Barcelona. Clay ovens are |
| Staying up on Montjüic, and perhaps the best | | | | filled with wood and then meat is slow cooked, to |
| surprise to spring on a loved one, is the cable car | | | | literally drop off the bone. Try the suckling piglet for an |
| dinner. That's right - a special dinner inside the | | | | irresistible change, raw beef served on a hot stone |
| Montjüic cable car all the way up to the old | | | | (for you to cook how you like it), and the best lamb |
| castle. The local brewery Moritz have organised a | | | | chops on their mini barbeque grill with hot embers. The |
| "Picnic in the sky" with a 3 course meal, and plenty of | | | | owners have two downtown restaurants, but for |
| Aigua de Moritz - the alcohol free version of their | | | | wow quality, this can't be beaten. |
| brew. The cable cars can be occupied by up to 8 | | | | |