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Image by Bill Sinclair
This is something special. Not your ordinary. Not your regular, but somewhere to visit maybe three or four times a year. Exquisite food prepared by Robert Gelonch, one of the most inventive chefs currently trading in the city, coupled with a strong wine-list.
Though the entrance colourways and typography suggest a kind of 70s retro vibe (and hints of Clockwork Orange) the very contemporary tastes you’ll encounter when dining here will disabuse you of the notion Gelonch is some kind of throwback.
You have a choice – a 10 course tasting menú for € 56, or a 16 course tasting menu for € 74 or a selection of crazy little tapas for € 52. Or, if you’re Spanish/Catalan is confident enough you could order individual portions such as carrot and orange popcorn (€ 6.50) or beef, fish and jamón ibérico raviolis in a shitake mushroom soup (€ 8.25).
Whichever route you take you will not be disappointed.
There are so many intriguing combinations in each dish – artichoke stuffed with mushrooms, trotters (pigs’ feet) with prawns – cookie-sized pizzas – that every bite is a pleasant surprise.
Some claim the food here is the culinary equivalent of a pointillist painting. It’s a good analogy. Each component has individual flavour – but it’s the inventive combinations which delight the palate.
It may seem expensive – but when compared with other establishments in the city, (where often the food is mediocre) it’s surprisingly good value for a memorable experience.
¡Bon profit!
Gelonch | Restaurants | Tasting menu € 56
Carrer Bailén, 56 | +34932658298
Mon – Thu 20:00 – 22:30, Fri – Sat 20:00 – 23:30
Thanks for your prompt response, Bill Sinclair!
Much appreciated. Looking forward to visit Barcelona. Your web site is a precious source of infos. Keep up with the amazing work
Hi, thanks for taking time to post a comment. You’re right – Robert Gelonch certainly did work with Ferran Adrià at El Bulli. As for comparing Gelonch with El Bulli – I’m not really qualified – not having dined there – However, based on what I’ve read, seen and heard from trusted sources I would say that Gelonch is more concerned to delight and satisfy, while El Bulli seems more concerned to provoke and entertain. Checked out your blog by the way – excellent. All the best, regards.
Cool. Thanks for the recommendation.
How would you compare it to El Bulli, since their Chef was working there at some point?