Here’s a novelty – a tapas bar which takes reservations. Why? Because it’s small, serves excellent quality food and is always busy. It is one of the best tapas bars in the city.
Paco Meralgo is a cute play on words in Spanish: para comer algo – to eat something.
And the somethings you can eat include: courgette flowers with mozzarella cheese, or flower power as the waiters insist on calling the dish, and espardenyes – sea slugs, as well as inspired and exquisite variations on all the usual tapas and montaditos.
Expect to pay a little more than usual for your tapas – but it’s worth it.
Espardenyes are unique to the Catalan coast and are highly prized (and highly priced) delicacies. As you’ll likely know espardenyes are also a Catalan and Balearic version of the shoes more commonly known as espadrilles. And, interestingly, the French call these sea bottom dwelling creatures sandales de mar – sandals of the sea.
Forget any association with snails – these creatures have a unique taste and texture – somewhere between crab and scallops. When you want to try them expect to pay € 20 plus for a plate of six.
The patatas bravas (patates bravisssimes) I’ve eaten here are probably the best I’ve ever had – and come served with allioli, not mayonnaise, and spicy oil.
The wine list here is very good – but pricey. Luckily you can order wine by the glass or order a beer.
On Saturday and Sunday afternoons only, they serve a range of paellas to take away.
