What to do in Barcelona. Discovery the city Actively

LUNCHES IN THE DISTRICT OF GRACE

La Pubilla is a Catalán term refering to the eldest daughter in a Catalán family, and if no other male siblings around, the sole heir to whatever family fortune. The costume or ritual as long dissapeared but La Pubilla is back in Gràcia.
From the outside the bar resembles the same as most old-fashioned bars in old-town Gràcia, unimpressive. However, once you step inside you are in another world, or lets say you are transported back in time to the days when eating Breaksfast was a no-nonsense affair and time not a constrain.
I recommend you switch off your Smartphones and iPads, sit back and let Alexis Peñalver, the young chef and owner - trained at Akelarre and other prestigious restaurants - surprise you. Be daring and go for a "cap i pota" homelette or "chipirons estofats amb cigrons" (baby octupus with chick peas stew), or "ous estrellats amb cap i pota" (don't bother with translations, just try!). This is the old-fashioned country Breakfast reinvented. Every ingredient is cooked to perfection and then asembled and plated so that it is not only appealing to you taste buds but also to your eyes.
Alexis is passionate about bringing back the old Catalan recipes and adding a modern touch to it. Good food has to be paired with good wine, and La Pubilla has that in mind; the wine list is not a long one but it is otstanding. and again, the man at the bar, a real expert. Let him assist you with choosing the right one. If it's Breakfast you are having and you like red wine, you may want to try a glass of Priorat or Montsant (they serve by the bottle as well as by the glass). These are only two of many wine regions in Catalonia wre excellent red and white wine are produce.
If you prefer to come for lunch bare in mind one thing: because this place has become so well known and popular, people book and book early. The down side (there is always a down side) is that is a bit noisy and tables tend to be rather close to each other. This is not a place to linger. No rush either, but if the your stay exceeds the hour and a quarter, you'll get a funny look from the waiter (not joking).
The deco at La Pubilla is bright (good lightning) and functional. And simple. A long bar and about twelve or so small tables at the end.
Another up side to it, the price: considering the top quality ingredients - all bought at the public market acroos - and how elaborate and well presented the dishes are, its a bargain. Lunch menu goes for 17 euros (wines and coffee not included).

Oh, if you have come for luch and your table is not quite ready yet, don't panic. Sit at the counter and order the "el vermut de la casa" - the aperitif of the house - and one of the many mouth-watering tapas on display.
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Enjoy!