I can’t help smiling whenever I dine here. It’s that kind of place — quirky, arty, fun, and free of pretension. Situated in what used to be a publisher’s offices, Semproniana is one of my all-round favourite restaurants — equally good for lunch and dinner.
Most dishes are available in small, medium or large portions and vary in price from just €4, for a small plate of macaroni stuffed with botifarra negra (a Catalan variation on black pudding/blood sausage) to around €22 for a large tuna steak or large fillet of fish.
One of my favourite dishes is their magret d’anec amb tatin d’albergina i poma— duck served on a bed of aubergine and apple.
The also serve a range of gluten-free dishes.
The owner and chef, Ana Parallada, has written several recipe books and ventured into fiction; and the restaurant occasionally hosts evenings with published, and as yet unpublished, writers and their readers.
By way of encouraging young people (under 30 years old) to form a habit of dining out they offer evening three-course menus for the same price as your age, e.g. if you’re 23 you’ll pay €23 for a three-course meal (which may ordinarily cost €34).
And, by way of encouraging pre-teens to develop an interest in the culinary arts they host hands-on workshops.
Their menú del día (fixed-price three-course lunch with wine) offers exceptional value.
Bon profit!
