| Crema Catalana might well be Barcelona's most | | | | well deserved. |
| famous contribution to the world's menus, but | | | | There are, as would be expected, many famous |
| there is much more variety to the food you're | | | | restaurants in the city - Botafumeiro in Gran de |
| likely to find when visiting this city trapped | | | | Gracia for its fish, the Patagonia Beef and Wine |
| between the mar i muntanya - the sea and the | | | | Restaurant on Gran Vía Cortes Catalanes |
| mountains. | | | | for its top quality Argentinian beef and El Cangejo |
| Catalan cuisine, which is known to have been | | | | Loco on Moll de Gregal for its style and views - |
| flourishing as far back as the thirteenth century, is | | | | and its opportunity to 'celebrity spot'. For me, |
| a beguiling melange of the best ingredients that | | | | though, one of the pleasures of this wonderful |
| the Mediterranean and the grazing slopes of the | | | | city is wandering around back streets an finding |
| mountains can offer. This means that it is quite | | | | unpretentious little places that serve up |
| common to come across combinations such as | | | | home-made Catalan cuisine that you can dream |
| lobster and chicken - often served in a hazelnut | | | | about over the winter months until you're able to |
| sauce; meatballs and cuttlefish; chicken and | | | | visit again. |
| crayfish; and the simply scintillating rabbit and rum. | | | | And just as Barcelona is a city of fine |
| The Barcelona locals like their sauces too - | | | | restaurants, it is also a place simply chock full of |
| especially allioli (garlic and olive oil), sofregit | | | | wonderful bars. Spain, needless to say, is a |
| (tomatoes, garlic and onions) and samfaina (chilli | | | | country where the bar is an integral part of social |
| pepper and aubergines). | | | | life and Barcelona is no different in that respect. |
| In Spring, you'll find wonderfully tasty wild | | | | Whether you are popping in for your early |
| asparagus is plentiful, and lots of calçots | | | | morning coffee (and perhaps something a little |
| (large spring onions); in the autumn there's nothing | | | | stronger with it), sitting for an afternoon drink in |
| better than freshly picked rovellons (mushrooms) | | | | the shade, or preparing for a night on the town, |
| and in winter, you'll enjoy a hearty escudella d'olla | | | | then there will be countless bars to cater for you. |
| - one of the best stews you could wish to find | | | | Many, especially from Thursday nights onward, |
| anywhere. | | | | don't get into their stride until after midnight but |
| The very fact that Barcelona is a port has meant | | | | just head to the Gothic Quarter, Gràcia, |
| that visitors here can always guarantee that they | | | | Barceloneta, Las Ramblas or just about anywhere |
| will be able to find superb fresh fish but it has had | | | | else in this exhilarating city and you'll find great |
| the added bonus that it has meant that people | | | | bars. My favourites happen to be the London Bar |
| from all over the world have been washed ashore | | | | and Els Quatre Gats - bars in which the very |
| here. For this reason, the authentic international | | | | essence of modernism seems to fill the air; |
| restaurants in the city are on a par with any in | | | | L,Ascensor - where you'll find the finest cocktails |
| Europe. As you wander round the city, you'll find | | | | in the world; and Bosc de les Fades, which looks |
| places to eat representing just about all the | | | | as if it was designed by Tim Burton. |
| world's continents - but, much more importantly - | | | | Like everything else in this captivating, vibrant city |
| you'll find that these restaurants, in the vast | | | | - when it comes to food and drink in Barcelona, |
| majority of cases, such good quality food. | | | | you'll be spoiled for choice. |
| Barcelona's reputation as a gastronomic delight is | | | | |