Two weeks ago, I discovered El Nacional, a gourmet food hall right on Passeig de Gracia. Last wednesday, I went back again, I loved it so much.
I have passed a number of times in Passeig de Gracia and never noticed this massive multi gastronomic space just right there. The restaurant can welcome up to 700 diners. To be honest, it is quite discreet. An arch on top of the entrance saying “El Nacional” and then you enter the venue through a private alley. It is not very well advertised from the street. But this adds to its charm. You feel like having insider knowledge walking in.
I loved the place at first sight because of… the building – outside and inside. It is an imposing building, very unusual architecture for Barcelona city centre. It does look like the entrance of a factory. This building was built in the 1889 during the Industrial Revolution. The interior has a retro charm and reminds me of the 1930s – 1940s which I think is the aim. It has metallic pillars and a dazzling decor – literally. There are lights coming out of everywhere especially from originally designed chandeliers. A different one above each space. I spent a good few minutes with my nose up in the air admiring different shapes and forms.
In “El Nacional”, attention is given to every single detail from patterns on the floor to plates you eat in. There is an interesting contrast between all the plants set up everywhere and the glassy and metallic looks of the decor. There is also a market atmosphere to it because of the huge space, the high ceilings, the voice sputters from animated conversations and their echoes. It is posh, elegant, glamorous and so urban at the same time. A place I would place in a city like Paris or New York. Not the traditional image I have of food venues in Barcelona. It is also very cosmopolitan and frequented by tourists, expats and locals.
Before sitting down, we walked around the place. El Nacional is an innovative concept with 4 areas and 4 bars. There is a meat restaurant, a fish restaurant, a tapas and rice restaurant and a fast deli restaurant. The 4 bars are each specialised in beer, wine, cava and cocktails. The gastronomic proposal is to offer fresh products and different dishes from the Iberic Peninsula.
That first time I was here, we went to the fast deli. We were on a relaxed evening so it was perfect for us. I ordered a coca bread with butifarra and a glass of vermut. I did not have many expectations but after the first mouthful I can understand why this place is attracting so many people and probably foodies: fresh ingredients, high quality and taste. Ooohh, that butifarra so tasty on that thin coca bread…. And believe me I am a very difficult eater to please. The price is quite good too. I spent less than 15 euros for what I ordered and it was really high quality food.
This evening, we went to the tapas space. I prefer the deli because I was really impressed by my coca bread but they have some nice tapas. The pan con tomate (or bread with tomatoes), a very simple and basic dish right? Well, the bread is nice and crunchy, the olive oil is tasty and the tomato meaty. I think they use this tomato that has been specially designed for spreading. And the nice iberic ham, fatty where it has to be. My trainer won’t be too happy with this infringement to my diet…
I also ordered dessert, it was completely superfluous, after the sardines in escabeche, the patatas with alioli, the calamares al andaluza, the pan con tomate and the plate of Iberic ham. But I could not resist: bread with chocolate, olive oil and salt. An odd combination for most people but when it comes to food, I am very adventurous. They served us two very generous pieces of rich chocolate on a toast and for good measure I even added some extra salt. The wine was also amazing. I had too much of it for a school night but who cares? You only live once. Unfortunately, I had so much of it I cannot remember its name…My bad!
The most interesting part of the experience is the food auction. We asked to the waitress the first time we ate at the deli who was shouting like mad like that. I thought it was a fishmonger. A fishmonger in this fancy place? Feeling perplexed… She said that they were offering tapas malagan style: a waiter was going around the restaurant auctioning tapas from 8 pm. He was shouting really loud: “caaalllaaammmmaarrreessss!!!” coming out of the kitchen. Then he crossed the room presenting his dish around. Every now and then he came around our table and showed us what he had. We nodded or refused and he continued on his way. Then came back with another round of tapas “pppattttaaattaass!!!!”. A new experience…We paid 25 euros each for 7 tapas and an equally number of glasses of wine.
We recommend a quick trip to the bathroom to admire the decor and appliances. And if in the process, you want to take a few selfies, feel free. There are enough mirror and lights in El Nacional to make you feel like a star…