In Catalunya (and in Spain in general) The hour of the vermú it is a ritual, a meeting, a moment to share with friends and family when those warm and sunny spring days begin to make their way when you want to go out, sit on a terrace and let the hours pass like this .. without doing anything special.
It is a Catalan tradition long-standing, dating back to the days of dressing up on Sundays, going to the bar and drinking a vermouth (with or without sifó) accompanied by some caps: olives stuffed with anchovies, chips and shellfish with the famous espinaler sauce before putting the legs under the table for the sumptuous Sunday lunch.
One of the more typical things is the fact that vermouth is accompanied by a rather particular aperitif for us Italians and which is called "aperitivo de llauna" (literally aperitif in tin): shellfish, olives and whatever else come out fresh from the cans and are served with various sauces.
Another thing that I find very interesting is theenvironment that is created in the worms. In general there is no single target audience but various mixed fried foods that often make an aperitif turn into an experience. Oh yes, because the vermuterie more good ones are often found in popular neighborhoods where the habits and traditions of times gone by have been preserved, the worm-eaten furniture smelling of years and years of glasses and above all where they can be seen together modern bohemian and old ladies with the hood full of lacquer and the handbag on the legs.
In recent years we have seen a backfire of the city towards the vermouth and therefore the birth or resurrection of various vermuterie where you can devote yourself to a more than satisfactory playful activity: the ruta del vermú. Personally I must say that I like it in all sauces ... with or without sifó (or the container for soda with which the vermouth is extended), at the bar or at home (after work a glass goes down that is wonderful!)
There are many places to be able to do the ruta and as a grown-up I want to be a vermouth expert, I recommend some in different areas of the city.
Restaurante Quimet & Quimet - Poble Sec
Poet Cabanyes, 25 (Metro L3 / Verde Poble sec).
Closed on Sundays.
Delicious! Do yourself advise from the owners which are also the same ones who serve drinks and food. It is always very full, but don't give up, it's really worth it!
La Cala del Vermut - Gótico
Carrer Copons 2, and Carrer Magdalenes 6 (Metro L4 / Yellow Urquinaona)
They are three rooms one behind the other. Lots of people but still good service, try the fried potatoes with the espinaler sauce and anchovies. Very good!
El Tano - Gracia (Metro L4 / Yellow Joanic)
Calle Bruniquer 30
A small neighborhood shop open since 1927 which actually has no name and is called by all "el tano". The specialty is precisely the aperitif de llauna.
Another more than interesting option is to go to an old shop and buy bulk vermouth in a glass bottle, a sifó, ice, orange and olives with additives .. et voilà vermouth is also served at home!
