Barcelona

[popskull]

First off I have to say how appreciative I am of all the posts and threads I have read in the past few weeks. The knowledge of the answers and thorough responses are amazing. With that being said I am going to Barcelona in mid March for 5 days and have put together a good list of tapas places to choose from thanks to everyone here. I am looking for recommendations for more upscale and innovative places that would be comfortable to dine solo. After seeing pictures of cinc sentits, alkimia, can fabes and a few others, I don't see these as options although I may be wrong. Any help would be great.

[Aleta]

"I am looking for recommendations for more upscale and innovative places that would be comfortable to dine solo. After seeing pictures of cinc sentits, alkimia, can fabes and a few others, I don't see these as options..." Really? I dined alone for years (altho not in Spain) and from the pictures on the websites of several of your cited restaurants, I would think that dining alone there would be okay. As long as the restaurant has seating arrangements for 2-person parties, then you wouldn't be occupying a large, say 4-person table, and you wouldn't look so obviously alone. Alkimia seems to have a fair number of 2-person tables, so that would be my 1st choice (especially since it's close to La Sagrada Familia, so I would combine a visit to the church with a meal there). Can Fabes' dining room seems not very large and from the pictures, I didn't notice any small tables, so I would probably not choose this restaurant. How about Sant Pau? The location (near the coast) and the style of the building/dining room is more casual so it should suit single diners better. These are just my 2 cents' worth of comments; I am planning to visit BCN for the 1st time this summer and it'll be just me and my 11 yo.

Apart from tapas, my choices for more upscale dining include: Comerc24 (which I gather is still tapas but more innovative); Alkimia; and Gresca. I'm considering Arola down near the beach and Moments in the Mandarin hotel but (1) I haven't read any reviews about their food and (2) I don't care much for dining in fancy hotels since usually they are big on attitude and price vs small on quality. Looking forward to some experienced comments on these last two.

Have a good trip, popskull!

[PBSF]

I think you will have wonderful time eating in Barcelona. Just couple of points. Can Fabes has two dining rooms, one small cozy rustic and one modern large room looking into the glass enclosed kitchen. There are many tables for two and single is never a problem. One of the reason that you might now notice any small tables is that in most top Michelin restaurants, tables are larger and spaced further apart for comfort. Real estate is part of the price one pays. Sant Pau is no exception but the dining room is very small and accommodate few diners, about 32. Real estate is a little more expensive in central Barcelona, therefore, tables are smaller and packed closer together. For me, seating in a larger table is a luxury as long as it is not too "big"
As for hotel restaurants, the perception at least in America that they cater to the business crowd/expense account and the food is never top-notch. It is no true in much of the rest of the world. In the big cities such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Paris, Barcelona, etc, some of the best, though expensive, restaurants are housed in them. Le Meurice, Le Cinq, Alain Ducasse, Le Bistol in Paris; Moo, Arola, Drolma, Abac are just a few examples. One of the reason is the collaboration between hotel and famous chef so that economically it is feasible for both. Of course, attitude is somewhat subjective.

[PBSF]

There is really no problem for solo diners at any of the upscale places. I have eaten at most of the places that I posted as a single including Can Fabes. Ordering bottle of wines is never a problem since all have good wines by the glass. It all comes down to how comfortable one is eating a long meal by oneself. The staff in all cases have been very attentive and never shown any sign that I am not welcome. And not able to speak Spanish or Catalan has not been a problem as some of the staff speak enough English. There is always enough interesting things going on with the food and the surroundings that it is never boring. My advise is make a reservation and do it. If you feel uncomfortable sitting my yourself at a table, get a reservation for the counter seating at Comerc24 or Santa Maria (more fusion and not as refined or molecular by still very good, also less expensive). Both of these places have a lot of energy and people watching can be fascinating. Cinc Sentits has a wonderful family staff and excellent food but its more quiet/sedate with a somewhat bland atmosphere. Alkimia is a more upscale designer with an staff that is little more formal but not stuffy. You can't go wrong with any of the above. Also check out my posts on Can Fabes. From my experience, it is probably the most 'formal' of all the restaurants in Spain. It is by no mean stuffy or intimidating but don't expect a lot of chatters, etc. The whole ambience reflects a seriousness. The two dining rooms are house in a beautiful old building without any outside light, therefore, it can feel somewhat dark and remote. If you are looking for great modern cooking, a beautiful airy room and a young yet professional staff and great overall ambience, head for Can Roca in the town Girona. I have eaten at least half a dozen meals there and have not been bored for a second by the food or surroundings. If you are interested in wine, Josep Roca can talk to you for days and the interactive wine service is fascinating. If you are going in mid-march and Can Roca or weekend at Can Fabes is in your plans, I would make a reservation very soon. Others, a few days ahead would be enough.

[popskull]

Thank you for the help. I would prefer the counter at comerc 24. That is a great suggestion.
Do any other places have counters or bars that might fall into the same realm of quality and innovation? Also how is the dress code at can roca? or even comerc for that matter? I wont be bringing a jacket or tie but will have black pants and black shoes with a button up shirt.
I am not familiar with what is considered acceptable.

[PBSF]

I don't know any top notch place other than Comerc24 that has counter seating. As for dress code, there is none for any of the top restaurant including Comerc24 and Can Roca. Dressing nice and presentable is all that is require; your black pants and black shoes will be fine; even a nice pair of jeans is not a problem.

[popskull]

Thanks pbsf I made my reservations for comerc24 yesterday and will probably try for can roca today thanks again

[PBSF]

If you are planning to go from Barcelona to Girona and Can Roca by train, lunch is your only option unless you stay overnight as trains will not by running when you finish with dinner.

[vincentinparisandrome]

I know that this comes after your trip, but for others reading this post, I thought I'd mention that I had dinner alone at Cinc Sentits last week and loved the experience. Staff was friendly, accommodating, competent and multilingual, and the food was outstanding. I had the more "traditional" tasting menu that creatively revisits a lot of Catalan classics. There was a short, but decent selection of wines by the glass, which meant that I didn't have to commit to a whole bottle dining alone.