Following on from Eating in Spain – Barcelona – Part 1…
Forn de Sant Jaume
After a blissful morning discovering Casa Batllo (highly recommend booking the 8am private tour before it opens to the general public), we sauntered down to Forn de Sant Jaume (about a 2 minute walk from Casa Batllo) for breakfast. I had read good things about this patisserie and was very pleased with the front window display.
Another shot of the goodies from the inside.
There’s also a counter of various cakes, chocolates and biscuits.
We grabbed a few items to go so we could sit on a bench and people-watch.
We shared a half jamon baguette and a chocolate dipped croissant (unsure of price). Both fresh and tasty.
Caelum Tea Room
Caelum is a tea room and pastry shop, selling jams and all sorts of sweets made by monks and nuns in monasteries and convents all throughout Catalonia. The gorgeous front window display is sure to tempt passers-by with cakes, tarts and pastries.
The tea room has a cute set up inside with a few tables, small coffee/tea bar and the sweets shop.
A sign by the cake table stated that it was not self serve, so we waited until the waiter came over to us. He named every single cake in the window, as well as the smaller pastries on the tray.
He spoke so quickly that I didn’t catch what half of it was. However, while waiting I already had my eye on a few things like what looked like a Ferrero Rocher cake. When I asked him to repeat what was in the cake, he mentioned it was filled with fruit which didn’t sound as appealing. But I think he might have gotten the word in English incorrect and perhaps it was nuts instead (which I would have loved).
Instead, I ordered an almond and lemon sponge cake which was so light and fluffy. I practically demolished the whole thing by myself. I also ordered a coffee and chocolate opera cake, which was equally good with a cappuccino. I didn’t realise the cappuccino cost more than 3โฌ and should have just ordered an espresso with milk. Delicious treats and I wish we had time and stomach space for more.
Mr FPJ ordered a rum and coffee drink of sorts which he found quite strong and heavy on the rum.
It wasn’t until I started writing this post that I realised Caelum has an underground basement with more tables. The special thing about it is it’s in the remains of Barcelona’s Jewish Quarterโs public baths straight out of the middle ages. I’m kicking myself that I didn’t do proper research on it while we were there. Ah well, a trip for next time.
La Tasqueta de Blai
I had planned to go to Quimet & Quimet for lunch in the El Poble Sec district. However, when we reached the front door, we were met with a sign saying it had shut for the holiday season. Devastation. I hadn’t researched a back up eatery in the same area. So we googled any highly rated eateries within the area, and headed to La Tasqueta de Blai.
La Tasqueta de Blai is basically a tapas buffet bar, where each toothpick has a different colour and associated cost. White sticks are 1โฌ each, while red sticks are 1.80โฌ each. Great idea really.
It was a really long bar (I just hadn’t captured it all) with lots to choose from. We chose six to begin with and if any good, we would order more.
The tapas were mediocre at best. Not a place I would go back to for good food. Good concept though.
Emilia Cremeria
My sister advised me to try out gelato shop Emilia Cremeria just outside the La Boqueria Markets. I was happy to try something!
I got two flavours – tiramisu and Siciliana (made up of almonds and pistachios) for 4.50โฌ. Sadly, I didn’t like it. The flavours were far too subtle for me. I would not have known it was tiramisu if someone else had ordered it! I did like the thick creaminess and texture, but the flavours were almost non-existent.
Ca L’Estevet
For one of our dinners, we tried a nicer Catalonian restaurant – Ca L’estevet. This was one of the eateries recommended in Movida’s Guide to Barcelona as simple and tasty Catalonian cuisine and only about a 20 minute walk from our hotel. We arrived early (7pm-ish) to ensure we got a table and had our pick. We received our drinks along with a basket of white bread.
The entree was Catalan-style spinach with raisins and pine nuts. We think it was cooked in lots of butter, so not so healthy. There was a large portion of spinach included and we left some of this to go with our mains.
Mr FPJ ordered the duck l’orange and it’s one of the best versions we’ve ever had. Juicy with a kick-ass sauce. Loved it.
I ordered the fried and baked cod that came with white beans. Another perfectly cooked and succulent dish.
We were too full for dessert, but the staff provided us with some almond biscotti to nibble on while we settled the bill. Amazing food and I could fault nothing. I’d happily go back.
Granjer M Viader
Just around the corner from our hotel is a traditional old school coffee and milk bar Granjer M Viader. I don’t think the inside has been updated in years but it adds to the charm.
There were assortments of sandwiches, rolls, cheeses and cakes at the front counter.
We had already had breakfast so I was only interested in a small snack. Churros with chocolate seemed like the perfect snack.
The chocolate was extra thick. Mr FPJ called it more of a chocolate pudding. As always, I wish we had more time to try out other things.
Carrerfour Market
Carrerfour Market is a supermarket along La Ramblas. I love checking out supermarkets in different countries and this one did not disappoint. The range of cured meats and cheeses is amazing.
I then discovered a basement level to the supermarket, with so much more cured meats! I could have spent hours there just looking at everything.
Buying some groceries from the supermarket is far cheaper than eating out. The selection available at Carrerfour is fantastic, particularly if all you want is a sandwich/roll with ham/cured meat and cheese. We purchased a pack giving us four different types of cured meats and cheeses to nibble on later on.
Oh and if you’re a Milka chocolate fan, there’s a huge selection of that too!
More on Barcelona and the La Boqueria Markets in the next chapter…
Eateries visited:
- Forn de Sant Jaume – Rambla de Catalunya, 50, 08007 Barcelona
- Caelum Tea Room – Carrer de la Palla, 8, 08002 Barcelona
- La Tasqueta de Blai – Carrer de Blai, 17, 08004 Barcelona
- Emilia Cremeria – La Rambla, 85, 08002 Barcelona
- Ca L’Estevet – Carrer de Valldonzella, 46, 08001 Barcelona
- Granjer M Viader – Carrer d’en Xuclร , 4, 08001 Barcelona
- Carrerfour Market – Rambla dels Estudis, 113, 08002 Barcelona
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