Café restaurante GATS: refugio gastronómico

De droguería a restaurante-café, a tan solo 5 minutos de las Ramblas, el GATS es un espacio en el que se combina una cocina delicada con un entorno en el que la luz tiene su protagonista. Recuerdo haber venido tantas veces a aquella droguería en la que, años después, descubrí que Ferrán Adrià se iniciaba en la alquimia de la cocina. Los dos abuelitos que yo conocí te daban clases maestras de cómo utilizar éste u otro producto y siempre encontrabas aquello con lo que limpiaban nuestras abuelas. Hemos perdido una tienda clásica pero, por otro lado, ganado un restaurante con productos de calidad.

La opción vegetariana está muy limitada pero ofrecen unas croquetas de puerros, berros y nueces exquisitas, así como babaganoush, gazpacho, tortilla de patatas y bravas. Para un tapeo tienen una gran variedad de platillos y ensaladas y, para comer o cenar, un buen surtido de arroces. Sin resistir a la tentación, el pastel de chocolate, mezcla de mousse, bizcocho y crujiente, me recuerda al que he probado varias veces en Madrid, conocido como "la mejor tarta de chocolate del mundo".

Precio-calidad perfecta y un gran lugar en el que refugiarse de las Ramblas sin perder luz y rodeados de verde y madera. Un lujo en el centro de Barcelona!

Restaurante GATS
C/Xuclà, 7
Tel. +34 931 440 044

TOP 5 VEGGIE BURGER SPOTS NEAR LA RAMBLA

GOPAL Escudellers, 42

12.00-23.00 (Friday to Sunday til 24.00)

www.facebook.com/julekeralagopal.bcn

To take away or eat in, Gopal serves cruelty-free home made vegan burgers that are bound to change your idea of fast food. You've never tasted a better vegan burger and you've never eaten in a spot so humbly committed to save animals' lives.

TERESA CARLES Jovellanos, 2

9.00-1.00

www.teresacarles.com

Located on a significant spot of Barcelona's vegetarian history, Teresa Carles has risen to become one of the most appreciated veggie restaurants in the city. Managing also other three successful businesses such as Teresa's Juicery, Teresa's Stairway to Healthy and Flax & Kale that will surely attract your interest, we highly recommend Teresa Carles, as you will be able to taste a hint of Catalan cuisine blended with typical vegetarian-diet ingredients.

 

BACOA FERRAN Ferran, 10

12.00-2.00

www.bacoa.es

Is there anyone out there who hasn't heard about Bacoa? We know very few people who have been disappointed after their meal at Bacoa, that must mean something. They recently changed their veggie burger and added a vegan one, so go check 'em out!

PETIT BROT Doctor Dou, 10

www.petitbrot.es

Petit Brot, meaning little sprout in Catalan, is a plant-based, eco and raw vegan spot specialised in cold pressed juices. Their food is undoubtedly worth trying, although the term raw may not sound appealing to the general public. Energy healthy local foods and a Portobello burger that will become the best mushroom-based dish you've ever eaten.

LA CENTRAL Via Laietana, 45

12.30-24.00 (Friday and Saturday til 1.00)

www.lacentralburger.es

Rather new in town, La Central is here to stay. Serving two vegan burgers (remember to order without mayo if included), a classic chickpea one and an Asian-inspired seitan one in a traditional burger joint that also offers a wide range of commercial and artisan beers worth ordering with your burger. A true burger experience in the city centre, and meat-free!

We want to thank WE LOVE VEGGIE BURGERS for this wonderful post. Don't miss their website and recommendations!!  www.weloveveggieburgers.com

Market of markets

This weekend we enjoyed the 4th edition of "Mercat de mercats" (Market of markets) which took place at the Cathedral square. Several shops and restaurants offered their specialities, Catalan, Spanish or even international cuisine. Recognised cooks, such as Jordi Cruz, did several open shows and other activities related to food and cooking. A representation of sixteen markets of Barcelona and some special "tapas" created by some of the well-known restaurants of the city have been part of the most relevant activities during this cooking party. A blog offers information about the event but unfortunately is not in English! http://somdemercat.cat/

Brunch at Ocaña

Eventhough the weather is grey and rainny.....take a chance to enjoy the Ocaña's brunch as we are doing!
Have a nice Sunday!

Gastronomique Boutique Hotel in Plaça Reial

The last hotel opening in Plaça Reial has been DO Boutique Hotel Gastronomique and it worths, at least for inhabitants, a visit and a beer, a tapa or nice dinner!

The renovation carried out by the architect Oriol Bohigas and the interiors designed by Lázaro Rosa Violán have made this special building in the heart of Barcelona into an elegant and welcoming hotel.

In the three restaurant areas of La Cuina, La Terrassa and El Terrat, the chef Sergio Ruiz Nieves offers personally designed Mediterranean cuisine, enhancing the high quality of the local products bought directly from the best suppliers according to the philosophy of slow food.

Ocaña: remembering an artist and a period

"José Pérez Ocaña was a painter and performance artist who lived in Barcelona during the seventies and early eighties. He was born on the 24th March 1947 in the small town of Cantillana, Seville. Ocaña fast became one of the most influential figures in the ‘Transition’ years – the post Franco boom that offered the freedom people were longing for, known here ‘La Movida’. In 1971 he moved into a flat on the Plaça Reial no 12, right next door to the site where Ocaña is now, making his mark with a flower-filled alter dedicated to the Virgen de la Asunción on his balcony. It became one of the city’s most infamous sights, as did his regular promenades down the Ramblas with fellow artist and boyfriend, Nazario, in tow. Parading up and down with fluttering fan and a floaty dress that could cheekily rise up to reveal his nether regions, Ocaña caused quite a stir." (extracted from the café website)

The café OCAÑA is named in honour of the famous José Pérez Ocaña. Completely restored, the place offers a peaceful view of the Plaça Reial and a comfortable stay surrounded by old furniture and very friendly people working. It worths for breakfast, lunch, teatime and post-dinner!

Espai Liceu

This hidden café, the "Espai Liceu", is part of the well-known theater Liceu which is one of the main opera and ballet halls in the city. What is interesting about this café is that the feeling of being in the centre of city seems to disappear as it's a place not even indicated and you must walk some stairs down from the corner which ends the whole building (Unió Str.). Nice place to have lunch with a light "menú" of aproximately 11 euro and wonderful cakes. The shop of the theather worths a visit with really nice souvenirs of the city.