Barça [after a long respite]

My new delight is Coca [the Catalan bread not the other stuff!]. Just had an order of this with spinach, mushrooms and cheese. It was great [$9]. The funny thing was that I never got to order it any of the many times I was in Barcelona [Spain, the real place where it's a hit] but had it in Hartford. There were two other tapas [meat/cheese combination plate and the the piquillo peppers stuffed with a mushroom risotto. A glass of Malbec helped too.

7/11/08

Barça is definitely habit-forming! Ate here again this afternoon with Miami guests.
Started with a pitcher of Cava Sangria. Very Good. AND a bottle of vino blanco special Martin Cadoux. Excellent summer wine.
Some tapas: Combinación de Quesos [San Martín and Mahon] and some great meats with good warm bread; Chorizo Asado [why I have not tried this before, I do not know] a piece of chorizo with shrimp and marinated vegetables and excellent; Tres Emapanadas Gambas which blew me away!
Chef Jesús originally from Santiago de Compostela has turned the kitchen around. Service from Sarah [con 'h'] was superb. What better place to spend a tired summer afternoon.


As many of you know, I spent two weeks in Barcelona in September celebrating my birthday. I raved about the food and restaurants there. But if you don't have the time, inclination, or $$ for the €€, stay in Hartford and eat at Barça!
5/17/2008
Ate there this afternoon and it was a great pleasure; I don't even know where to start; the decor, the service, the room, the tableware, the great wine by the glass list and, of course, the food.

Started with a glass of red [$6 but compliments of the party at RealArtWays Creative Thursdays [another story].
Moved on to the Combinacíon de Dos [$9]: Pato al estilo de China [Confit Duck Spring Roll and Pickled Red Cabbage in a Spicy Plum Emulsion] and Ensalada de Coliflor: Fried Cauliflower, Asparagus and Grilled Apricots with Black Olive Vinaigrette. Both were excellent and complimented each other. Also had the Gazpacho Blanco [$5]: White Gazpacho, Cantolonian Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Grapes and Crab Meat; this was so good it must be a sin to eat it!

Still ready to sample more, I ordered [on Nicole's suggestion] the Grelos con Gambas [$7] [Garlic Shrimp with Brocolli Rabe au Gratin with Pecorino Romano Cheese]. This very really very really good.

Finished with an espresso cortado [$2].

bloginfo: website Barça
1429 Park Street, Hartford, CT [in the Design Center]
phone: 724-4444
blognote: really great people and Nicole is a terrific waitperson [as is Sarah].