As one of the most popular foodie destinations in Europe, I was expecting to see quite a bit of feedback from my posting. However, after 4 days, I am at a loss to see zero feedback on my thread??!!
I would have responded but the request for traditional or Basque 1 star stumped me. But Berasategi has a 1 star Basque, ORIO, in the Monumental Hotel. His LASARTE is a 2- star.
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I donât really understand why people are so focused on michelin star restaurants. Lots of great food in Barcelona.
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You get what you get and you donât get upset.
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Other than a possible visit to Disfrutar many years ago, I donât have much experience with upscale Barcelona restaurants, so I canât offer any suggestions there. I get the impression you are not really surprised by the limited response, and and am curious about whether you have a theory about it.
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There are some great Repsol sun or recommended restaurants in Barcelona as well. Here are the Repsol suns, just scroll down to Catalunya.
https://www.guiarepsol.com/es/soles-repsol/ediciones-de-soles-guia-repsol/
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If it just has to be a 1 Michelin star for trad catalĂĄn (not Basque) I would head to Mont Bar with 1 star. The owners hail from the Val dâAran. Canât get me trad catalĂĄn than that.
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Maribel beat me to it!
Mont bar was a âmustâ for us (and walking distance from our regular hotel) - except it was NOT a 1 star when I was there last year - just promoted this year. So canât honestly recommend it as a âstarâ - just an excellent place. And I think you commented on that meal [posted on AmuseGirlâs media platform].
But Charles, I think you asked âthe impossibleâ - you wanted a 1 star that was traditional - and nearly all 1 stars (by their nature) are either ânewerâ (with a chef trying to make her name) or places which have (typically, but not always) had a succession of chefs. Many (? most) chefs want to develop further and will not be satisfied continuing to produce traditional recipes, without adding their own âpersonalitiesâ. So off they go to a new challenge. And Barcelona - both historically and currently (post Covid) has a revolutionary culture (OK maybe creative is a better description) that really doesnât encourage leaving things as they were.
And congratulations on getting into Disfrutar - my favourite restaurant in the world - Iâve been 5 times and never had a repeated dish. Now, impossible to get a reservation!
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Mont Bar has trended a bit more contemporary with more international flavors in the past year (as a causaul persual of the online menu will note). For this kind of cuisine that I think the OP is after, I prefer Succulent in the Raval.
When is this dinner you would like to book? I am booked in to Hisop on Friday night and will report back. You could look at the menu, which looks both âtraditionalâishâ and delicious. I read a recent review on another blog (along with pictures) that sounded terrific (why I am going when âtraditionalâ is not always my thing).
Particularly, pictures of âScorpionfish âa la pressâ with potatoesâ and ârabbit with truffle and âpilotaâ briocheâ main courses looked particularly appealing to me, if the very long and also very appealing (and good value) tasting menu seemed like too much for me. It is Catalan, not Basque (I also did not understand your question).
I had an unfortunate experience as a solo diner at Mont Bar which left a bad taste in my mouth, and I have not returned. Rarely do I have a bad experience as a solo diner, and this was a first for me in Barcelona, but I also did not enjoy my food (much less the meal, as I was put facing a corner by myself.
Agree also with @tigerjohn that Suculent is a delicious option, and if you are not going to eat through the tasting menu (as you have a long one for lunch the next day) there are good and many choices. I particularly enjoyed the duck croquette, Red prawn ceviche and steak tartare over grilled bone marrow when I was there a year ago. I toyed with going back there, and still may (wait listed for a Tuesday night reservation).
Agree with many of the posters here, thoughâŚStars so unnecessary to enjoying incredible, creative food in Barcelona.
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Hello Alan!
Happy Holidays!
FYI, Iâm still recovering from my second Covid in 3 months!!
My kids had eaten in Mont Bar during their last visit so wanted to try something new.
Since weâll be eating at 3* M. Berasategui in SS and 2* Disfruta in Barcelona. For comparison, might as well add a 1* to our eat list on top of all the Asador, Tapas and Pintxos places.
Based on social media postings, it looks like HISOP offers more traditional and less â funky 'food?!
Estufarian,
You said it best! And I havenât returned to Mont Bar since it received its star, and tigerjohn is also correct now that I looked at the current menu. Succulent would be a better bet, I now agree.
With the Michelin star come more innovative dishes, which in our experience doesnât necessarily hold with Repsol suns. Our favorite 1 Repsol sun, at least in Madrid remains as traditional as before.
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This guide is most helpful! Thank you so much!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!
Decided to pick â HISOP '. It is one of only 3 - 4 â2 Solesâ in Barcelona on this guide that opens on Monday âŚthe other 2 Soles are all 2* and up! And the price of the tasting menu is â unreal '!!
Thanks again!
