What's new in Barcelona
February, 1st, 2024. Written by Clara De Nadal Trias
The year has just begun and Barcelona is doing it in a big way full of art, gastronomy and a varied cultural offer.
Ali Ocakbasi
This restaurant is a tribute to the rich gastronomic heritage of Anatolia, symbolizing Turkish cuisine with its long heritage of cultures, bringing with it the exclusive flavors and culture of sharing dishes of this ancient region.
The culinary experience not only focuses on exquisite dishes, but also on the tradition of sharing, sitting around the table and enjoying “mezzes” or appetizers. Among all the dishes on the menu, lamb is the culinary emblem of Ali Ocakbasi, presenting a distinctive cut and an exclusive marinating and cooking technique that will delight the most demanding palates. But the menu also includes vegan options such as kebab, in order to cater to the diversity of dietary preferences.
Additionally, diners can enjoy sweet Turkish delights such as Kunefe, a delicious creation with a crispy golden exterior and melted cheese interior, drizzled with sweet syrup and garnished with pistachios; or Baklava, a dessert made with crumbled pistachios, distributed in a filo pastry and bathed in syrup or honey syrup.
With its recent inauguration in Barcelona and after opening in Amsterdam and Istanbul, the restaurant, Ali Ocakbasi, continues its mission to bring the authenticity of Turkish cuisine to Europe, providing lovers of good food with a unique and unparalleled gastronomic experience.
Where: 69 Enrique Granados Street, Barcelona.
77 Kilos
“77 Kilos is the average amount of food that each Spaniard throws away annually,” explains, Gerard Cuartero, chef in charge of the brand new 77 Kilos.
This old corner bar in Eixample of modest dimensions but of the highest quality, tries to take advantage of every edible crumb, with the vegetable trimmings they make vinegar and pickles and squeeze the circularity to the maximum.
Their menu is that of a Catalan inn cuisine at almost popular prices and they propose a lunch formula for 22 euros, which more than a lunch menu, offers a small tasting based on three tapas and a main course.
Where: 77 Mallorca street, Barcelona.
Vidre Art Gallery
We continue with Vidre Art Gallery, a new space and center for contemporary artistic expression recently inaugurated in Poble Espanyol, which works with national and international artists combining painting, sculpture and photography.
Vidre Art Gallery opens its doors presenting two impressive exhibitions. “Sorra i Sílice” which honors the tradition of blown glass and works that explore this material literally and metaphorically, with artists such as Joan Brossa, Jaume Plensa, Silvia Levenson and Stella Rahola. And at the same time, "Infinite Apple" by Kai Takeda is also exhibited, who offers an artistic journey from the three-dimensional to the two-dimensional, inviting a poetic exploration of the everyday.
The gallery seeks to fuse the traditional and the modern, occupying a former glassblowing workshop and promising to be a new epicenter in Barcelona for contemporary art.
Where: Av. de Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia 13, Barcelona.
NIWA
And we finish with NIWA, “niwa” means “garden” in Japanese, a new Asian cafe in Barcelona specialized in Matcha tea. Mónica and Li offer it organic, cerimonial (that is, the highest quality) in a multitude of options and are also the creators of Matcha Tallat®️
But at NIWA cafeteria they also serve what they call the tea garden, specialty coffees or coffees infused with flowers and spices, delicious sweets (with a vegan option) and a fun lunch menu based on Miso soup, salad and 2 oniguiris homemade to choose from 4 varieties.
In addition, the environment is calm and perfect for working, they have Wi-Fi and if you have a dog, bring it, the place is dog friendly. Word of Coolhunter!
Where: 78 Vallirana street, Barcelona
Written and translated by Clara de Nadal Trias
More plans and people from Barcelona here