03/30/09

Expected more

by NotWendys

The service was a little better than average, the ambience seemed to be a little lacking. Not really a good date restaurant. The bar is adjacent to the restaurant seating area with televisions above the bar. Not what I expect from a restaurant that is supposedly of this calibre. The flavors of the food were very good but I don't think it stayed true to form. The paella was very flavorful but stood in stark contrast to the more distinct and subtle flavors of what I anticipate from a paella. In other words, it was more of a tomato base vs. a saffron and seafood experience. However, the main problem was the rice. My wife's dish and mine were both to be a Spanish rice dish. The rice was either not good rice to begin with or was not cooked properly or perhaps even both. I was very disappointed that the main ingredient to the dish was not even prepared properly, and any hint of a saffron experience was completely overpowered by tomatoes. I did not expect such poor preparation technique of the main ingredient. Nothing about Barcelona compels me to return.

• Pros: Service was better than average

09/14/08

Amazing Dining Experience

by bsiu99

I brought my fiance to this restaurant on the recommendation of this website. It was awesome!!! We were seated outside in their beautiful patio, right next to the fountain. Our waiter, Dillon, was so attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. We tried threof their appetizers: the calamari, grilled octopus, and the beef and rice meatballs. They were all delicious! For dinner we had the Lamb Shanks, the Grilled Salmon, the beef filet and the seafood paella. My fiance didn't like his paella but everything else was out of this world!!!

The manager, Tom, came by to check on us and saw that my fiance didn't like his food. Without any questions, he took it away and recommended another seafood dish. My fiance agreed and it came out in the next five minutes. It was the seafood noodle soup thing that started w/ "Z" but I can't remember what it was called. Not important - my fiance practically licked the bowl clean he loved it so much! It had large sea scallops, shrimp, lobster... and the broth was to die for!! When the check came, we noticed both dishes were comped!!

I can't say enough about this awesome restaurant!! Great atmosphere, great food, great service!! If anything, it is hard to get parking but they offer valet service for $4 which is totally worth it!

• Pros: Great Food, Great Service, beautiful and romantic atmosphere
• Cons: Limited parking but there is valet available

08/17/08

Not worth the time or valet parking

by carmonwhittier

The experience itself wasn't absolutely terrible. Starting at the front door, the hostess was pleasant, greeted us nicely, but even though we had a reservation, still had to wait 30 minutes which wasn't too bad because my wife and I thought we could sit at the bar and have a drink while we waited. Being as it was a Friday night, the ar was very crowded as well, and the bartender a total a**. not attentive at all, condesending, and rude. Although he was very "chatty" with a group f men at the end of the bar. After finally being seated, our able was nice the atmosphere was nice, (but noisey) and our server was right on point, and did an excellent job suggesting a great bottle of wine. The menu itself is confusing, not appealing, and repaticious. The food came out in a timely fashion. The chickpea hummus and vegetables was good, but who could mess that up? The beet salad was a dissapointment. It was just a plate of beets! entrees were terrible. My wife thought the baked chicken would be safe, but it was dry, and appeared to have been cooked the day before. I thought I would try the seafood stew, too much work! and messy! everything was still in it's shell. The chocolae pudding cake for dessert was just ok. I would have been happier with a hostess cupcake. Again, our waiter was excellent, but that is about all. The food is way overpriced for what it is. By the way, upon leaving, I asked the hostess who the bartender was, she informed me that he is Tim and a manager! I was dumbfounded. I have dined all over the world, eaten at some really great restaurants, and some really bad. Barcelona is definately on the bad list. Get a six pack, and go to Taco Bell, it's cheaper, better, and they won't give you as much lip.

• Pros: Valet attendant was nice
• Cons: bartender with bad teeth