La Barraca, seafood gastronomy on Sant Sebastián beach (Barcelona)
Starting with its views, continuing with its atmosphere and finishing with the dishes, you can enjoy good cuisine, now with dishes cooked over the embers
Sometimes we choose restaurants because we’ve heard good things about them, other times because they’re in an exclusive area, but in other cases it’s because we happened to be in the area and they caught our attention. In this case it’s a restaurant on Sant Sebastián Beach, the most central and popular beach in La Barceloneta, where what you most feel like is Mediterranean and seafood cuisine, with products prepared in a natural way.
For those who know it, it will be a pleasant surprise to discover that they have added to their menu dishes with products cooked over charcoal, in a natural way, preserving all their flavor and respecting their quality. In principle there is an exclusive menu for them, and it includes five types: shellfish (fresh lobster), octopus, fish of the day, T-bone steak and sirloin, although we will talk about them later.
To give an idea of the proportions of the quantities and dishes consumed, we were two diners, on a weekday, not on the eve of a holiday, at lunchtime. At first, what catches the eye are the beautiful views of the beach from the very table, surrounded by a pleasant atmosphere and feeling like an oasis in La Barceloneta.
A menu that covers all expectations, because if we want an informal lunch or dinner, or feel like snacking before the main course, we will find a starters menu with about twenty specialties, all of them well defined in their origin and preparation (diced smoked salmon from their own smokehouse, Cantabrian anchovies,…). A variety of salads complete the dishes that can be called “first courses or starters”.
We said Mediterranean gastronomy, and which dish best defines the Mediterranean diet? Paella, which in this case they offer in up to ten varieties. There is even a vegan one for those who like it. The rice dishes are for at least two people and cost around 20 euros per diner, up to 29.50 for the lobster brothy rice.
As an alternative to the rice dishes, they offer several fish dishes, among which the fish romescada caught our attention. It includes beans, langoustines, clams and mussels. We haven’t seen it prepared, but we can imagine it, and we’ll surely go back to satisfy our curiosity and treat our palate. Of course there is also the aforementioned charcoal grill menu, which includes meats.
We always get excited when writing, but it’s about repeating these pleasant moments that are spent at a good table. Let’s move on to recount our experience, all the dishes shared. First, patatas bravas with allioli and paprika, and homemade cuttlefish croquettes. The potatoes were very pleasant to the taste, tender inside, and the croquettes crispy outside and creamy inside. Strong cuttlefish flavor.
Another advantage is their non-stop kitchen, so you can enjoy their table in a more flexible way. But let’s move on to the second courses. We naturally opted for the grilled dishes. On one hand, grilled octopus, a good portion cooked to perfection, with a garnish of potatoes, escalivada and grilled fennel.
The grill is also the star of the other second course. At first we asked for T-bone steak for both of us, but it had run out, so we split the octopus just mentioned and the other grilled meat dish, the grilled sirloin. Perhaps a bit overcooked for our taste, and with the same garnish as the octopus. Two suggestions: the garnish is the same for both dishes we ordered, in our view it should be different, since one is meat and the other fish. On the other hand, the presentation of the meat in particular is similar to that of a combination plate; we suggest a more “elegant” presentation, since we’re talking about dishes that cost around 30 euros.
We come to the desserts. We always recommend leaving room for them, since they are the final touch of a good meal. In this case there are more than half a dozen to choose from, all homemade. We shared the homemade white chocolate cheesecake. Very good texture, light, with a fresh flavor provided by the lime zest.
A very pleasant establishment, spectacular views, a calm setting; all of this invites you to enjoy their table. They have a weekday lunch menu priced at 19.90 euros, which includes a choice of one of two starters, a fixed main course, a dessert, as well as bread, drink and VAT.
