dining in barcelona

[ben says]

maybe i'm blind, but i can't for the life of my find a 'travel section' to the metrojax forums. what a shame. it would be nice to see recommendations, reviews, and travelogues from jacksonville-based travelers.

anywho, no idea where to put this, but for anybody from around jacksonville whose traveled to barcelona, spain...any good recommendations for eating? trying to stay away from tourist traps. going in 2 weeks.

[cephus]

In 2002, I ate at a restaurant just south of Lloret de Mar on the main coastal road up  from Barcelona named El Vental.  It was one of the best meals I had in Spain.  In Tossa de Mar there is a B&B with an excellent tapas bar (or was in 02).  Both places about an hour up the coast from Barcelona

[cephus]

Lliçà de Vall, El Vental,  on the spain.info website

[ben says]

thanks
good info


and hey, metrojax admins, make a forum section for travel please!

[dougskiles]

We were in Barcelona this summer.  It is amazing.  Here are a few of the places we ate:

Mauri 1929 Barcelona (102 Rambla Catalayuna) inexpensive with good selection, fast, deli-type place

La Vinoteca Torres (Passeig de Gracia near La Pedrera aka Casa Mila) nice outdoor seating, good wine selection

La Vaca Paca (Passeig de Gracia 21) quick buffet

Set Portes (Passeig de Isabel II 14 in Port Vell) known for paella - a little touristy but not as bad as places on La Rambla

Casa Calvet (Carrer de Casp 48) - very nice restaurant, restored house designed by Antoni Gaudi - need reservations

If you are on La Rambla (the main tourist area), take a walk through La Boqueria.  It is a market where you will discover that the Catalan people eat every part of the animal.

A word of warning, they eat dinner very late - usually around 9 or 10 pm.  So don't expect to find a substantial meal at 5 pm or 6 pm.  But - you can find some really good tapas then.

[dougskiles]

And a non-food suggestion... read the book, Cathedral of the Sea by Ildefonso Falcones on your way over seas (well it's pretty big - may take more than the 10-hour flight).  It is the story of a man living in Barcelona during the late 13th century.  Most of the places you read about are still there.  You can visit the church that was the central theme of the book.  Very inspiring.

[ben says]

And a non-food suggestion... read the book, Cathedral of the Sea by Ildefonso Falcones on your way over seas (well it's pretty big - may take more than the 10-hour flight).  It is the story of a man living in Barcelona during the late 13th century.  Most of the places you read about are still there.  You can visit the church that was the central theme of the book.  Very inspiring.

wow, thanks for the recommendations.

i also like reading destination-themed books on my way to certain places...thanks for the Falcones recommendation too

[02roadking]

This could be helpful

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g187497-Barcelona_Catalonia.html

[ben says]

And a non-food suggestion... read the book, Cathedral of the Sea by Ildefonso Falcones on your way over seas (well it's pretty big - may take more than the 10-hour flight).  It is the story of a man living in Barcelona during the late 13th century.  Most of the places you read about are still there.  You can visit the church that was the central theme of the book.  Very inspiring.

Just ordered this book!