Just a short walk from the covered market of Santa Caterina, Carrer dels Mercaders (Merchant Street), you’ll find Arcano. Right from the outset, we thought the restaurant would be a good one – and we weren’t wrong!<\/span><\/p>\n We arrived at the same time as an enormous trolley full of ingredients from the market around the corner, a promising sign if ever there was one!<\/span><\/p>\n The restaurant is housed in a 17th-Century stable building, complete with original stone walls and arches. Soft lighting and subtle copper accessories are all that’s needed to create a warm, intimate feel of understated elegance: perfect for a meal with someone special, a quiet family get-together or dinner with friends.<\/span><\/p>\n The cuisine on offer in this welcoming grotto is a blend of mediterranean and Argentinian classics. Vegetables, meat and fish cooked over gently glowing coals are a house speciality. The service is also great, which is refreshing. The manager has everything under control, and your meal will be served with a smile! A great place to treat yourselves – and make sure you check out the excellent wine list \ud83d\ude09<\/span><\/p>\n Where? <\/strong>Carrer dels Mercaders, 10, El Born Ziryab is the brainchild of Kate, a seasoned traveller come to rest in Barcelona, and her brother. Their fusion cuisine aims to transport diners around the world from the comfort of a restaurant table. Tucked away down a side-street in the medieval Old Town, here’s your proof that good things come in small packages… Everything here is on a small scale: the rooms, the tables, even the stairs… it’s like a tiny wonderland!<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n Whisper sweet nothings as you enjoy perfectly-spiced delights and soak in the exotic atmosphere – it’s like something from the Arabian Nights. The jazz or bossa nova soundtrack playing in the background, however, is a subtle reminder that you’re still very much in the west. The “tartinades” starter is an absolute must. Served on a pretty wooden tray, it includes a selection of 8 different dips, alongside a jug of olive oil, salt and za’atar (a cumin-based spice blend). The spreads include caramelized leek, bacon and goats’ cheese, carrot, beetroot and cardamom, hummus with black olives, cumin and truffle oil, and more. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Go ahead and enjoy a deliciously different feast!<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n An intimate paradise – travel the world without leaving Barcelona!<\/span><\/p>\n \n Where? <\/strong>Carrer dels Ases, 16, El Born Los Pergaminos… an intriguing and evocative name, especially when you find out what it means! The clue is in the décor: the former stable building is home to a collection of precious parchments revealing the rich history of the area. <\/span><\/p>\n The restaurant is a family affair, launched in 1989. At the tender age of 12, Claudia began helping her father serve clients every weekend. Fast forward a few years, and Los Pergaminos is now in the capable hands of Claudia and her brother, Sergio.<\/span><\/p>\n Claudia proudly informs me that everything is homemade (“casero”) and the proof of that is displayed on the impressive bar in the entryway: <\/span><\/p>\n The wood panelling and vintage chandeliers create an impression of candlelight, creating a romantic and intimate atmosphere. Hypnotised by the bottles of wine hanging from the ceiling, we almost missed the arrival of the tapas, but the aroma brought us back down with a bang…<\/span><\/p>\n The seafood paella is one of the best we’ve tasted, and comes highly recommended by Pepe at the Bar La Plata<\/a> just down the street.<\/span><\/p>\n Letting Claudia pour us a glass of organic “Curios” Penedés wine, perfectly matched to the dishes on offer, our minds turn to dessert….<\/span><\/p>\n Los Pergaminos offers simple, authentic and hearty food, prepared without pretence but with the best-quality produce on offer – following the example set by Claudia’s father.<\/span><\/p>\n A restaurant which merits its place in the history of Carrer Ample, although you’re more likely to find it on a website than on parchment these days…![\"Arcano](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2018\/02\/Arcano-restaurant-romantique-730x414.jpg\")
<\/p>\nArcano: a romantic restaurant in a cosy, welcoming setting<\/h3>\n
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Arcano: please cook for me, Argentina<\/h3>\n
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Book a table at Arcano <\/span>Click here<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n
\n<\/strong>When? <\/strong> Monday – Sunday, 1pm – midnight
\nHow much? <\/strong>Lunch menus around 15 – 20 euros; full evening meals from €30 – €70.
\nWhy?<\/strong> Because it ticks all the boxes!\n<\/p>\nZiryab: A romantic restaurant where east meets west
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\n<\/span><\/li>\n Ziryab: fusion cuisine in a romantic setting<\/h3>\n
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Book your table at Ziryab <\/span>Click here<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/p>\n
\nWhen<\/strong>? <\/strong>Monday – Sunday, 1pm – midnight (the kitchen closes at 11:30pm)
\nHow much? <\/strong>Tasting menu €30
\nWhy?<\/strong> For a multi-sensory dining experience<\/span><\/p>\nLos Pergaminos: a romantic restaurant where the writing’s on the wall
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A quintessentially Spanish romatic restaurant<\/h3>\n
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