But what's better on a sunny day than getting up early to Barcelona, go for a little trip and then hunger pangs decide to try the new, splendid restaurant of José Mª Parrado, acclaimed by all the hipsters of the city?
And so let's go straight to the Montjuic hill, with the sea on one side and the city at our feet and we feel almost in paradise, because it is February but there are 22 degrees and we can stay in our shirt sleeves. In conclusion, Que Viva Barcelona!
At the parking lot we already realize that despite the sun making us feel beautiful, the competition is very high. Shorts resting on very long and perfect legs, hair in plastic poses, million dollar shoes and sunglasses as if they were given away. But if they are cool, we are smart and we beat the competition of the fashion troop because we managed to book a table while we were still in the car. What a satisfaction.
So the first fundamental advice in case you are determined to try theMartinez experience: book people. This restaurant is now so famous, that without a reservation you will only be able to peek inside and at most have a beer hoping that someone has a fever and cancels his. And then you walk in and be dazzled by the decor that makes a little chiringuito a little vintage bar, tall smiling waiters and waitresses.
If you are lucky and have managed to find your own table On the terrace you can go out and enjoy the view and that marine aroma that nevertheless arrives lightly light. And when you've gotten used to this riot of well done things, you sit down, swallow two or three vermouths to warm up and open your stomach. Al Martinez, the vermouth is the traditional one of Casa Mariol created especially for this restaurant and served in its original bottle. Then there are the caps, the special dishes of fish and paella in all its versions (for purists: it is Rice dishes, not exactly paella).
For those who do not feel like puzzling about what to eat, the "Martinez formula”, A 40 euro menu that includes: vermouth, first course, dessert, drinks (yes with water and bread, no coffee that goes on the side). The vermouth will arrive accompanied by a Russian salad and a tapa of your choice, the first course is chosen from the extensive paellas menu. In any case, it is also possible not to choose the menu and choose the one you prefer from the menu. We, for example, did not choose the menu and apart from a couple of tapas, we tried the Cañete, with artichokes and cuttlefish ink.
Friendly, attentive and quick service. Medium-high quality, for the series, we ate well but not exceptionally (it doesn't quite reach the level of its sublime little brother del Raval, the Cañete).
Salty bill, but let me tell you, when it takes it takes.
What: Martinez
Where: Parc de MontjuĂŻc, Carretera de Miramar, 38
