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Agut
d’Avignon
|
Price:
€40. Wine: €10. |
| Tucked
away in a tiny street in the atmospheric Barri Gòtic,
Agut d’Avignon is the creation
of ex-lawyer and pharmacist Ramón Cabau. Known
for his impeccable taste, the restaurant is a haven
for artists, writers and politicians; it has attracted
diners such as Miró and Yves
Montand. Rustic yet elegant, employing top-quality
produce and a first-rate wine list, it is evident why
this is so. The menu is seasonal, offering regional
specialities and such adventurous dishes as partridge
pâté and roast wild boar with raspberry
sauce. |
Carrer
de la Trinitat 3/Avinyo 8
Telephone number: (93) 302 6034. Fax number: (93) 302
5318. |
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Ca
l’Isidre
|
Price: €60–90. Wine: €12 |
| Run
by the Gironés i Salvó family for over
25 years, Ca l’Isidre is an intimate
restaurant boasting King Juan Carlos among its regular
clientele. Isidre Gironés presides over the excellent
wine list and exquisite food, personally selecting the
best ingredients at the nearby La Boqueria market to
conjure up timeless dishes, including duck liver pâté
with figs, stuffed artichokes or saddle of lamb. The
cosy dining room is charming, thanks to his wife, Montse
and, daughter Núria is an excellent patisera,
whose desserts provide a perfect finale to chef César
Pastor’s seasonal Catalan dishes. Booking is essential. |
Carrer
Les Flors 12
Telephone number: (93) 441 1139. Fax: (93) 442 5271 |
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El
Racó de Can Fabes
|
Price:
€80–90. Wine: €18 |
| With
three Michelin stars and numerous other awards, El
Racó is idyllically situated near Montseny,
an area of outstanding natural beauty, approximately
50km (32 miles) from the city. Proprietor and chef Santi
Santamaria is open, friendly and passionate about the
Catalan food. His quality-based, customer-orientated
philosophy ensures that a visit to his rustic-style
restaurant is an exceptional experience. Inspired by
products from the sea to the mountains, dishes range
from roast kid with sage to prawn ravioli in wild mushroom
oil. Postres (desserts), such as mango and plum ‘lasagne’,
are deliciously inventive. |
Carrer
Sant Joan 6, Sant Celoni (A7 from Barcelona, exit 7
for Sant Celoni)
Telephone number: (93) 867 2851. Fax number: (93) 867
3861.
E-mail: canfabes@canfabes.com
Website: www.racocanfabes.com |
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Gaig
|
Price:
€60. Wine: €17 |
| Gaig
started out as a small family tavern specialising in
home cooking in the northern barrio of Horta during
the 1800s. More than a century later, it is one of the
city’s top restaurants and has won many awards.
Master chef Carles Gaig is at the helm, creating brilliant
and innovative versions of old recipes, such as pheasant
with plums, canelones with truffle sauce and mango ravioli,
to name but a few. The wine list is very impressive.
Carles’ wife, Fina, presides over the light, modern
dining room. |
Passeig
Maragall 402
Telephone number: (93) 429 1017. |
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| Jean-Luc
Figueras |
Price:
€55. Wine: €20 |
| Housed
in the former atelier of fashion designer Balanciaga,
the elegant, classically Catalan surroundings with polished
wood, lamps and tiled floors, – are almost as
outstanding as the food. Frenchman Jean-Luc Figueras
creates modern, original dishes, such as fried prawn
and ginger pasta in mustard and mango sauce, without
submitting to the demands of food fads or egoism. The
menu tends to lean towards seafood but meat dishes are
also included. Master patisero Jordi Butrón’s
sublime puddings are outstanding. |
Carrer
Santa Teresa 10.
Telephone number: (93) 415 2877. |
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