JaiCa, Barcelona

A kind of place that just sucks you in, and won’t spit you back out. Easily.

This could so be the Espy. Only fitted out by memorabilia of the greatest soccer team in the world. It’s a black hole.

If finding a seat is hard enough, the lack of English makes it even worse. But the universal language of the pointing finger. Use it to point to these tasty plates.



Fried squid.



Empanada



Bombas



Grilled pork – covered in a smokey paprika based rub, the juices that flow soaked up by bread.



Razor clams – simply grilled with a bit of lemon, olive oil.



A place even Real Madrid supporters would suck it up and pull up a bar stool for a beer and some tapas at this packed out local filled with local hipsters.

3.5 / 5 yums!
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Where? C/ Ginebra 13, Barcelona, Spain
What? Cheap 8-15€

La Bombeta, Barcelona

There’s nothing flash about this buzzing little local not far from Barcelona’s main beach. Which is good, because there’s absolutely nothing to distract from the awesome food that flies out of the kitchen.



Patatas Bravas – that’s a spicy sauce.



Bombas – they’ve got it figured out.



Sangria



Grilled prawns



Mussels a la Marinera



Fried squid – what was missing was a beer.



A menu stereotypically Spanish that’s all beautifully done.

4 / 5 yums!
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Where? Maquinista 3, Barcelona, Spain
What? Smalls 3-10€, Large from 8-15€

Bodegon Alejandro, San Sebastian

Dining at a Martin Berasategui restaurant, or Marty B as I like to call him, was an absolute pleasure.

Melbourne, Sydney, Australia, the world take note.

2 hat food at no hat prices.

Attractiveness, and amazingness.

Amuse Bouche: Asparagus soup with thin buttery toast slices





Warm spider crab salad with tomato dressing




Fish and seafood soup, Donostiarra fashion with clam, prawns, mussels and a slice of garlic flavoured hake - kind of like a seafood Stereosonic in your mouth





Glazed iberian veal cheek served on a potato and bacon terrine with warm roasted pepper jus - salty




Roast and boned shoulder of lamb with potato purée and garlic confit cream - would surrender to the blade of a blunt spoon.





French toast soaked in fresh cream and egg yolk and caramelised, cheese ice cream - not as weird as you think as the cheese was more of a sweet mascarpone.




Bodegon´s warm green apple pie with rosemary trifle and milk ice cream - Ruined Nanna's snack apple pies.




To finish: Meringue milk and rum, mini friand

Quimet i Quimet, Barcelona

If the guy from elBulli is willing to stand, squeeze and have no issues sucking in the breath, bad or not, of his fellow man in this closet box wine bar, then it should be good enough for you.



And why wouldn’t you tolerate bumping butt cheeks to hold a fine wine glass of white in one hand and an amazing pintxo in the other?



Cream cheese, salmon, honey and Worcestershire – it’s so right.



Pate, pickled onion



Red pepper, prawns, caviar, olive oil.




And more.



Definitely not for dinner, but you’ll be filled up before too long with so many things to try.

4.5 / 5 yums!
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Where? C/Poeta Cabanyes 25, Poble Sec, Barcelona
What? Tapas from 1€

Pinotxo Bar, Barcelona

This much loved pintxo bar with the Pinocchio presiding over the steady flow of foodie enthusiasts and tourists serviced by the effervescent man in the vest and bow tie sits pretty in the front of Barcelona’s most famous Boqueria Market.



Only had breakfast here but that heart starter coffee and chocolate filled sugar coated donut that’s a window to weight gain had me wishing I went back for more.



3 / 5 yums!
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Where? Boqueria Market, Rambla, 85-89, Barcelona, Spain
What? Cheap