Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1.30-4pm & 8.30-11.30pm Mon-Sat, closed Sat lunchtime; Diagonal)
This is an altar to refined traditional cooking. Try the
textures de carxofes amb vieires a la
plantxa
(artichokes with grilled scallops) for the delicate scent of artichoke wafting over the
prized shellfish. The restaurant also does several seafood-and-rice dishes and offers half
portions for those with less of an appetite.
CATALAN
TIBET
93 284 50 45; Carrer de Ramiro de Maetzu 34; mains €15-25;
2-3.30pm &
9-11pm Mon, Wed-Sat, 2-3.30pm Sun; 24 or 39, Alfons X)
This Catalan restaurant, nestled in a semi-rustic setting not far from Park Güell, has as much
to do with Tibet as this author does with Outer Mongolia. For 50 years it has been sizzling
meat on the grill and dishing up snails, one of the house specialities.
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
VILA DE GRÀCIA
Gràcia's busiest square, the Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia, was, until a few years ago,
known as Plaça de Rius i Taulet, and you'll still hear that name appear occasionally.
Some locals refer to it as the Plaça del Rellotge ('Clock') for the tall clock tower that
stands there.
DRINKING & NIGHTLIFE
Gràcia is a quirky place. In many ways it's its own world, with the mix of
rowdy young beer swillers and beaming young parents that fill its bars and
cafes.
WINE BAR
VIBLIOTECA
93 284 42 02;
www.viblioteca.com
; Carrer de Vallfogona 12;
7pm-1am;
Fontana)
If the smell of ripe cheese doesn't rock your boat, this is not the place for you - a glass cab-
inet piled high with the stuff assaults your olfactory nerves as you walk into this small,
white, cleverly designed space. The real speciality at Viblioteca, however, is wine, and you
can choose from 150 mostly local labels, many of them available by the glass.
