Boqueria

It’s time to start writing about things I do.

Tonight I had piano lesson. I’m on about eight years of this madness but my 17 year old daughter is on nine years. She learns better and plays better than I do, although with some songs I catch a certain nuance. But anyway, piano is still a time commitment and for now the commitment is on Monday evenings for a lesson. Tomorrow the kids come over and hang here for nine days straight so that meant last night was the night to go out to dinner. Usually this is a once a week event along with maybe a brunch. This week’s choice was Boqueria thanks to an Amex credit; more on that on another blog. But first, the restaurant.

I know I’ve been to Boqueria a few times but the last time was definitely in 2017 or 2018 so it has been seven years at least. The first time was in 2013 with my friend Brian and that’s the only time I ate outside there. In 2018 there were fewer Spanish options around and none in my neighborhood. Now there is one in my neighborhood and more Barcelona outposts.

Usually on an outing like this if the restaurant is agreeable it becomes something to add to the rotation. Boqueria was good, but I would not say it did it for me. Why? $260 plus taxes for four small plates, cheese, dessert, and drinks.

Wait, five small plates.

First, the cheeses. Valdeon, aged manchego, cabra de cabrales cheese with a dab of fig spread and bread. The cheeses were good and served right. We enjoyed them through the meal and didn’t feel as if they were too hard or heavy.

We had a plate of anchovies that arrived first. This was a classic Iberian preparation of canned anchovies along with some house made potato chips. This was followed by char grilled peppers and patatas bravas, and then a tuna crudo followed by pulpo a la plancha served over a bed of mashed potatoes with capers.

Thoughts on these – the tuna was too thick for what I would call a crudo. I was expecting something more delicate. This was more as if they took strips of tuna from nigiri and placed them over avocado paste. The octopus is good but I’m afraid I’m over-octopus. I think in January when I head to South America I will restrict my octopus consumption to ceviche and salads. The anchovies though were great – delightfully salty and served with orange. I’ll try to do this at home.

Boqueria also did a good job with crema Catalana and had a nice list of sherries for me – I had an oloroso sherry.

So, for me, Sabores in my neighborhood can give me a similar experience for about $100 less. Boqueria’s patatas are bigger and crispier but they don’t need to be. Sabores has tapas that are a little more delicate. I think if I were going for a true Spanish seafood experience I’d spring for Del Mar on the wharf, or one of the Barcelona locations.

Del Mar is even pricier, but it’s a better experience (not that Boqueria is bad).

Or one could always head back to Spain.

Have a pleasant evening, all.