Els Quatre Gats

Els Quatre Gats Restaurant Review:

This work of Modernism with vibrant ceramics, jangling live piano and gilded opulence has been hailed as one of Barcelona’s most important bohemian haunts since opening its doors back in 1897. Picasso had his first art exhibition here in 1900, inspiring what eventually became a long and illustrious history involving some of Europe’s famous writers, artists and musicians, who came to soak up the magical ambience and feast on rustic Catalan fare. Start with vichyssoise wild mushroom soup with butifarra sausage, and asparagus tips with langoustines and sun-dried tomatoes from Genova. For mains, we suggest the cod cooked in ratatouille, the L’Empordà duck with lobster and black chocolate, or the cuttlefish casserole with artichokes from the nearby town of El Prat. Make the most of the well-stocked bar, where veteran barmen blitz through even the most technical of cocktails, and sip the finest vintages from Catalonia and the rest of Spain. We particularly like the rosés and cavas from the Ferré i Catasús winery. Finish with the much-revered coffee with walnut mascarpone or the light pastry tarts with chocolate.