Leisure, culture and gastronomy flourish in spring in Barcelona.

May, 8th, 2023. Written by Clara De Nadal Trias

"Spring, has sprung" thanks to the incredible offer of leisure, culture and gastronomy that the city of Barcelona offers us during this time of year.

We start strong by welcoming Colmado Wilmot, the new proposal by –one of the former head chefs from the glorious era of ElBulli– Eugeni de Diego, offering stews and classic tapas at Francesc Macià.

Colmado Wilmot defines itself as an intensive tapas bar: it opens every day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and has a magnificent refrigerator showcasing cheeses and cold meats, that can be ordered on the spot or taken home.

Here you can come in the morning and have a local homemade breakfast, eat a sandwich or order the stews in half a portion, called “in rabanera” and try local specialities such as eggs or snails with sobrassada; omelette skewer tuned with prawns, tripe and capipota or chistorra with cider; meatballs; fricandó; potatoes with cuttlefish; chicken croquettes; esqueixada... And since you are in the vermouth paradise, also sardines, gildas, anchovies with homemade Maresme appetizer sauce and of course, Galician bread with tomato.

Wine selection at Colmado Wilmot is simply marvelous, with no menu, but full exposed fridges for customers to get up, touch and choose what you like.

Finally, desserts have also a special place at Colmado Wilmot, highlighting the delicious Santiago cake as a tribute to the past of this place. Come and try it! *Ps. In a few weeks they will extend until 9:00 p.m. (Address: Carrer de Calvet, 28.)

Jaume Plensa's exhibition at La Pedrera

Of course, art couldn't stop blooming in spring either, and so has Jaume Plensa's huge sculpture in front of La Pedrera, welcoming his wonderful new exhibition: 'Poetry of Silence'.

If you have never been inside the Casa Milà – La Pedrera, in the heart of Paseo de Gracia–, now you have the opportunity to do so, while you enjoy a conversation by Jaume Plensa, touring each floor, through some of his most emblematic works from the beginning of his artistic career.

The Barcelona artist reviews 30 years of his career in one of Gaudí's most emblematic spaces, recovering little-known and first-time shown works with an intense poetic breath. *The exhibition will remain open until July 23.

Denassus

We return to flavors, now to taste the tapas, dishes and wines! of Denassus.

Sergi Ruiz (2014 Golden Nose Award) and Alejo Mailan are sommeliers. In summer 2019 they opened Denassus, a gastrobar defined as "a bar with a high gastronomic level" and since then it has established as a place for product lovers in Poble-sec neighbourhood.

Ruiz and Mailan meet working at the Bar del Pla and decided to open it’s restaurant as “a place that takes care of the customer, with an informal air and where you can have a food festival”.

Chef Eduardo Orionda is in the kitchen, in charge of a menu closely related to the wine menu with more than 150 references, that they serve a by the glass, avoiding the obvious and favoring natural wines with a lot of personality.

In Denassus the classic "whatever you want to spend" is exercised in an exquisite way. You can gobble up dishes of instant and wild enjoyment, at contained prices such as good scrambled eggs with fried potatoes and smoked jerky from León, the wonderful tripe and muzzle of the house. Invest a little more money in noble products of each season (for example, fresh fish from the market and matured beef from Donosti), or simply take the vermouth: caña and bravas in the weekend. It doesn't matter, whatever you order, everything is Denassus! (Address: Carrer de Blai, 53.)

Casa Petra

Our last stop is the restaurant, grocery and delicatessen store with a terrace Casa Petra, the new place-to-be-and-to-be-seen in the upper area of ​​Barcelona.

Located at Calle Manila 51, and although it has recently opened its doors, Casa Petra can already boast a certain fame and a good reception by the people of Barcelona.

Their motto "here, like home" fits perfect, as the gastronomic proposal of Casa Petra is based on a quality Mediterranean menu, including km0 seasonal products, homemade charcuterie as it used to be done before; homemade croquettes, anchovies, snack seafood, grilled prawns, the classic steak tartare, freshly made rice dishes, linguine with American sauce and red shrimp tartare...

And as a dessert, a classic winner: flan (local pudding with cream). The traditional recipe but taken to a higher level that literally melts in your mouth. Come try it. Bon appetit!

Article written and translated by Clara De Nadal Trias.

More plans and people from Barcelona here.