Back from our vacations, Regina, Arthur and I wanted the perfect place for tapas to linger and catch up.We merged at my favorite neighborhood hang out, Café del Centre.
I love Café del Centre.Being there makes me feel connected to community. Food in Barcelona makes everyone feel connected to community.
Owned by the Gimenez family since 1873, this typical Catalan restaurant is unsophisticated charm.It is not hip nor does it pander to the pseudo antique look.The black and white marble floors of Café del Centre are chipped and stained with decades of chair shuffling and red wine spills. The family prepares basic food with kindness and love of tradition.
Gray marble table tops with curvy edges are set on scrolly, black iron bases.My favorite parts of the décor are the hand carved, dark wood, flowery art nouveau benches that line one wall.Frilly, white glass lampshades hang from cloth cords.Large beveled mirrors tarnished with the years and old photos deck the walls. Jordi Bel, grandson of the original owners, says the upright pianoin the back of the restaurant can’t be played anymore as the neighbors complain. The music is the soft murmur of the Catalan language.
Jordi’s Mother, Inez, cooks Catalan specialties.She shyly comes out to smile at customers, wiping her hands on her apron, and checks to see if you like the ravenoll mushrooms fresh from the Pyranees. Choices include boiled leeks stuffed with anchovies. Torradas, a big slice of country style round bread brushed with tomato and olive oil.Torradas toppings vary with sausage, herring fillets, duck breast, and of course, the Spanish staple, ham.To heck with calories. I am going back for another torrada with creamy Spanish cheese and a glass of white wine.
Lovely Lamps at Cafe del Centro - Barcelona, Spain
WHERE:Carrer Girona, 69
METRO: Yellow Line, Girona
PRICES:A bargain
HOURS:Nine till around midnight.Closed Saturday and Sunday.
Cafe del Centre – Food in Barcelona
By Nancy Todd
Back from our vacations, Regina, Arthur and I wanted the perfect place for tapas to linger and catch up. We merged at my favorite neighborhood hang out, Café del Centre.
I love Café del Centre. Being there makes me feel connected to community. Food in Barcelona makes everyone feel connected to community.
Owned by the Gimenez family since 1873, this typical Catalan restaurant is unsophisticated charm. It is not hip nor does it pander to the pseudo antique look. The black and white marble floors of Café del Centre are chipped and stained with decades of chair shuffling and red wine spills. The family prepares basic food with kindness and love of tradition.
Gray marble table tops with curvy edges are set on scrolly, black iron bases. My favorite parts of the décor are the hand carved, dark wood, flowery art nouveau benches that line one wall. Frilly, white glass lampshades hang from cloth cords. Large beveled mirrors tarnished with the years and old photos deck the walls. Jordi Bel, grandson of the original owners, says the upright pianoin the back of the restaurant can’t be played anymore as the neighbors complain. The music is the soft murmur of the Catalan language.
Jordi’s Mother, Inez, cooks Catalan specialties. She shyly comes out to smile at customers, wiping her hands on her apron, and checks to see if you like the ravenoll mushrooms fresh from the Pyranees. Choices include boiled leeks stuffed with anchovies. Torradas, a big slice of country style round bread brushed with tomato and olive oil. Torradas toppings vary with sausage, herring fillets, duck breast, and of course, the Spanish staple, ham. To heck with calories. I am going back for another torrada with creamy Spanish cheese and a glass of white wine.
Lovely Lamps at Cafe del Centro - Barcelona, Spain
WHERE: Carrer Girona, 69
METRO: Yellow Line, Girona
PRICES: A bargain
HOURS: Nine till around midnight. Closed Saturday and Sunday.
WEBSITE: Are you kidding?
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