in barcelona, need a dinner reservation on Saturday before easter (april 23)

[jaybert]

Originally wanted to get a reservation at Cinc Sentits, but let it slip my mhnd and now there are no reservations. Looking for something more traditional, non-molecular gastronomy (heading to el bulli later during the week). price range is somewhere < 100 euros. Also am not looking to get too dressed up, so something more casual (which is why cinc sentits sounded like a great choice).

Have tried the following

cinc sentits (no reservations)
laserte (not open)
comerc 24 (no reservations)
hisop (not open)
sauc (havent heard back)

anything else I should be looking at? I am booked for Rias the next night, so probably dont want a seafood-centric restaurant either.

[yesilovestotravel]

Try alkimia, gresca or gelonch
Not sure if they r open but it's worth a try

[jinx]

Alkimia is definitely closed that weekend (I'd tried!)

[jaybert]

thanks, i have an outstanding email to them, but i guess i can cross them off my list of possibilities.

[jinx]

It may be tough--not only is it a Saturday night but also St. Jordi's day which is a big festival day and a bit like Valentine's day here. I was lucky to get Comerc 24 (at the bar) for that night but emailed three weeks ago. I'd phone places at this point. Worst case there's always tapas places!

[jaybert]

ended up picking up 2 reservations (both places got back to me today, so need to cancel).

sauc and gelonch. any thoughts one which one would better meet my criteria (good food, casual environment, classic)

[jaybert]

This ended up all being moot, going to a Fc Barcelona match tonight instead of dinner!

Pixoto in la bouqeria was closed today, presumably for Easter which sucks...hopefully will be open Monday or Tuesday before I leave.

I've fallen in love with iberico ham...wish it wasn't 160euros/kg though...anyone know of a better/cheaper place to pick this up than the stalls in la bouqeria? We had the 5 year and it was delicious.

[PBSF]

If you are interested in places such as Comerc24 and Lasarte, then you have a large budget and your idea of "non-molecular gastromony" is out the window. My first choice would be Gaig, then try Colibri, Alkimia, Gresca, Coure, L'Olive; haven't been to Moment and Arola but they are big name places. Best advice is to keep trying and at this late date, telephone is better than email. Most places are closed on weekends, therefore, except for restaurants that are housed in hotels, start calling Monday.

[jaybert]

yea, i kind of expanded by search to pretty much anything that people have recommended on chow hound after my first couple of choices didnt pan out. i actually checked at la sarte a month or two ago (before i had the el bulli res), and comerc24 was a last resort from yesterday. i have nothing against molecular gastronomy, but was just looking for a bit of variety while I'm in spain.

thanks for the suggestions, i'll do some researching and see what I come up with. I have a glimmer of hope in that sauc responded asking for how many people + what time (i somehow forgot to include that information), so i provided that, but have not heard back yet.

[PBSF]

Something more traditional, fun and lively, Fonda Gaig. Not fine dining but some good traditional Catalan cooking with nice ambience. Also excellent but more formal is La Dama; if it is open on Easter, good chance for a reservation as it is under the radar. Expensive, around Comerc24's tasting menu.

[jaybert]

i considered La dama, decided not to check on reservations because of how formal it was (i'd rather not bring dinner-only clothes if i can avoid it...actually canceled a reservation at santceloni in madrid for that reason. i don't mind dressing up for dinner in NYC, just not looking for that formalness on vacation.

I actually emailed Fonda Gaig earlier today. No response yet, i think i should take your advice and start calling (better yet, ask the gf to do it since she speaks spanish).