Taking my wife and daughter to Barcelona this summer

[SmokinActuary]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post but I have been a lurker for some time.

I was looking for restaurant selections in Barcelona that my 12 year old would like. She has quite a sophisticated palate for one so young and she is a real fish and seafood lover (raw, cooked you name it). She even likes uni and salmon caviar.

I was not considering taking her to any of the molecular cuisine establishments but I was looking towards the more conventional.

I was thinking of the following places:

Either Bar Pinotxo or El Quim at the Boqueria
Cal Pep
Bar Celta
Quimet & Quimet
Alta Taberna Paco Meralgo
La Paradeta

Oh she also a big fan of prosciutto and goat cheese so I guess some of the local jamon and queso are in order.

Would you have any critique on those selections above or could you suggest other places that would seem to fit the bill?

Thanks in advance

[PBSF]

Except for La Paradeta, your lists are basically tapas and counter places. With a young daughter, you might want a bit of more comfort. Paca Meralgo would be fine as there are tables as well as a large counter and reservation is taken. Unless you are in line when Cal Pep opens its door, there will be a long wait and getting 3 seats together at will make it longer. All the places in the Boqueria are good for late breakfast and lunch, closed by 5pm. It is also counter seating only, each with no more than about a dozen seats. Very crowded at lunch but no problem if one stand eating while the other sit. Bar Celta is an old style bar with practically no atmosphere so to speak of, very bare bone including fluorescent lighting, stand up only. It has a few good specialties: octopus, sardines, anchovies, some good grilled vegetables. Quimet & Quimet is a small wine bar specializing in preserved seafood tapas(canned and jarred). It also has cured meat and cheeses but it has no kitchen therefore nothing is served hot. It gets very crowded at lunch and early evenings. It is stand up only, not even a stool. It is also a little out of the way in Poble Sec but not a bad walk from El Raval. I don't think either Bar Celta or Quimet are good for a whole meal though a light lunch would be fine. Only you can decide if these places would be good with your daughter. Other than seafood, if you can give some ideas why you choose the places on your list and also more specific on what you are looking for: ambience, budget, area, type of food (other than ruling out modern Catalan), etc, you will get some good recommendations. Keep in mind that sit down restaurants do not serve dinner until 9pm and after.

[SmokinActuary]

Well I have read that Paco Meralgo does great clams (small ones, razor claims etc). Bar Celta was brought up for the octopus, Cal Pep because it is Cal Pep (And I know if I can't get there early I won't be going), Quimet for the conservas.

La Paradeta is the easiest choice.

BTW my daughter really goes with the flow. I may have more of an issue with my wife! :-)

[Parigi]

I think Bar Celta is quite funky. But the food is, while not bad, not excellent. One goes there for an atmospheric light meal.
But I may be biased. Something about the old town makes me feel like slumming ma non troppo. If you are travelling with your wife and daughter, that may not be welcome (or may be muy welcome...). If you are not into slumming, then Bar Celta's "glamour" does not work.
If it is octopus you want, you can get it at El Qim.
In fact, like your list in general, esp El Quim and Cal Pep.
If I must choose one tapas bar in the Boqueria, it would be El Quim, for the chipis.
I have a problem with Guimet and with the whole cult about canned food in Barcelona. I don't get it. What's wrong with all the abundant seafood around?
I also have a problem with PMeralgo the last time I went. The portion of clams was half that of El Quim, yet for the same price. I much prefer the funky atmosphere of El Qim.
Personally my clam prize would go either to Cal Pep or Cerveceria Catalana...
Bon appétit.

[SmokinActuary]

Thanks for all the responses!

I just want to try the canned stuff to see what it is all about. I have read about the misgivings and mixed opinions people have about them.

What about Bar Mut or Inopia?

Some people rave, but I heard Bar Mut can be sneaky expense and Inopia can bask in its own glory.

[PBSF]

I think you've picked some of the best and well known tapas places in Barcelona. Regardless what is in one's list, there will always negative comments here and there, regardless if it is Cal Pep, Paco, Guimet, Inopia. As much as for the food, tapas places are for getting together and atmosphere/staff can play a big part in how much one enjoy them. Tapas tends to be simple and portions are not large, therefore, not everything will always be topnotch.. But overall, theses are excellent places if that is what you are looking for. Your daughter will go with the flow and some 12 year old can have a lot of stamia and energy. But be aware that if you go to El Quim or Pinotxo during the height of lunch time, there will be a wait and a good chance not all of you will have a seat. Quimet uses some of the best canned and preserved seafood if that is your interest. It is very small, packed with everyone standing holding a glass of wine. Parigi's description of Bar Celta is right on. I go there for the octopus, marinated anchovies and then move on to somewhere else. For me it is not a destination or somewhere that I will have a whole meal. Still, if it is my first visit, I would mix it up a bit and not pick all tapas places. Molecular cooking has gotten a lot of press and not all good. Many of the best restaurant such as Cinc Sentit, Sauc, Olives, Coure, Gresca are quite accessible and not as far out there as one is let to believe. They serve some best food, including some of the best and freshesh seafood in Barcelona. They are good bet for top notch arroz, scallops, razor clams, cigales, baby lamb, suckling pig, etc.

[SmokinActuary]

I figured Bar Celta would be a hit and run type of place - a quick plate of octopus and out.

El Quim or Pinotxo we will probably do for breakfast.

In general I am trying to keep my options open because as we are tourists we will need to be flexible.

Question" With places such as Cinc Sentis, Sauc etc how do you have to be dressed for lunch?

[PBSF]

Regarding how people dress, Barcelona is very informal yet stylish. There is no dress code for any restaurant. Casual is fine even for dinner. I would avoid track suits, shorts, athletic shoes, fanny packs, etc. Dark jeans are quite appropriate. I visit the city few times a year and rarely need a pair of dress slack.

[SmokinActuary]

With regards to ambience, I think we prefer lively to staid.

As far as budget just make recommendations and I will figure it out because while we can go to some pricey places, there will be times we will just go to Cerveseria Catalana.