Get away from the morose little groups of Stag Weekenders trudging, heartily sick of the sight of one other, up and down the seedy Ramblas and head for the Gracia district. Although swallowed up by Barcelona’s nineteenth century expansion – the Eixample – Gracia maintains a certain ‘village’ feel. In London terms think, perhaps, Islington or Hoxton, but without the advertising ‘creatives’ with irritatingly trendy facial hair, obviously. And, with its woody interior and gingham tablecloths, the taverna El Glop embodies this air of semi-rusticity.

The name of the restaurant itself – meaning ‘The Gulp’, ‘The Glug’ or ‘The Guzzle’ – says ‘earthiness’ and this is reflected in the hearty, traditional Catalan fare on offer. A whopping great menu includes plump meaty sausages and lavish mixed grills featuring veal and lamb or duck and quail (or ‘lawyer’ as Dick Cheney might call it). Pisc-o-philes are sumptuously catered for too. Try hake (merluza) – a fish whose existence is barely acknowledged in the UK – and you’ll find that it is the cod’s more talented (and more tasty) younger brother.

Add on plenty of glasses of light and spicy Catalan red - poured into carafes directly from casks in the restaurant and you still won’t be paying more than 20-odd euros a head.
Oh, and when I was last there everyone got a parting gift encapsulating the homely, bucolic nature of the experience: an El Glop, er, mouse-mat.

Sant Lluis 24 (corner of Sant Lluis and Montmany), 08012 Barcelona;
nearest Metro: Passeig de Gracia; www.tavernaelglop.com

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends