We have headed south for the weekend to attend the opera tomorrow (Dialogues of the Carmelites) and had some extra time in town so we chose BCN Taste & Tradition for its classy & cozy atmosphere and where we knew crowds would not be an issue. The beautiful dining room is indeed the perfect setting for fine dining with crisp white linens, fine crystal, blond floors and walls and some amazing art (several sculptures by Picasso). Our server Alfredo was attentive and made some great recommendations. We didn't think that the Texas-size portions would apply here, and Alfredo said that most Texans call the portions here small; well, we did NOT!
After we sat down some spicy Spanish chorizo slices were brought to the table with tasty crusty bread and EVOO with salt. We ordered the sparkling water and got the Vichy Catalan we knew so well from trips to Spain and especially Barcelona (by the way BCN is the airport code for Barcelona), where the salty sparkling water is the favorite; a tad too salty for me. I chose a rose to start from Bodegas Muga 2020 D.O.Q. Rioja made from Garnacha, Vivra and Tempranillo which was crisp and refreshing.
Will and I decided to split both courses and he chose the yummy Fresh Beef Tartare with waffle chips which was seasoned well with mustard and capers and perhaps a tad too much pickle. Alfredo suggested the Pulpo and the octopus was a huge portion over a potato puree with EVOO and Smoked paprika; indeed one of the best pulpos ever.
We moved on to a spectacular 2008 Bodegas Frontaura Tempranillo "Apronte Reserva" which was full bodies but smooth and drank beautiful as it had aged so well. All the wines here are Spanish and the prices are fairly steep starting at $60-70 for the least expensive bottles!
My Lomo de Canejo was a wonderful Sous-vide Rabbit Loin with Porcini Rice(a monstrous portion indeed), sauteed artichokes, in a Vermouth & Caramelized Onion Sauce, while Will opted for the beautifully cooked Bacalao, a salt cured Spanish cod with a very rich Garlic & Honey Aioli, Potato Hash Pancake, Cabbage & Bacon, White Beans & Roasted Cherry Tomatoes. We were stuffed after eating 1/4 of each portion and shared them, but wished we could take a doggy bag to our hotel for another day! We have to remember Texas size portions the next days!!
We did save room for dessert and the manager said we HAD to have the Crujientes de Filo which was a nice small sized portion of crispy fillo dough with Catalan Vanilla brulee on top and aged rum raisin sauce. He was right and if you look at the picture on FB you will understand how we were able to finish this superb tasty dish.
Tonight, I return to Xochi where I loved the food just over 2 years ago.
