Shortly after we left the Museu de Historia de Catalunya, having headed north into the Cathedral area, we found Al Passatore. This proved to be fortunate because this local chain, though it specializes in Neapolitan food, also serves fresh fish, specifically the sardines that my husband and son devoured with zest. They were very pleased with a treat not so readily available at home, ordered from the 6 euro mid-day menu. The waiters were all young, black-clad team workers who shared the duty of serving us at the tail end of Barcelona "lunch" time. We weren’t rushed, just noticed as soon as we were finished with a part of the three course menu from which my companions shared a bottle of white house wine that my husband judged "quite drinkable."
I selected an escalop milanesa with a piquant sauce. We all had an especially good green salad for a starter. For a postre (dessert) I had flan, son had an apple tart and husband enjoyed a chocolate-lemon mousse. Later on, I discovered this restaurant had a website, and three other locations, one on Moll de Gregal 25 with waterfront view at the harbor, and others at Via Laetana 42 and Plaza Antonio Lopez 6 and that they specialized in 24 kinds of pizza, although I didn’t see any indications of take-away service. The bar area was particularly colorful and well organized and the atmosphere quite casual and relaxed. A large party of men near us appeared to be locals enjoying themselves immensely with lots of empty wine bottles before them, but they weren’t loud or boisterous. Several couples were scattered around the restaurant that was larger than it had appeared from the outside.
In checking out their website I discovered their desserts, which were enclosed in a glass-fronted refrigerator we saw near us, were all homemade. All we had known was all three selections were a hit with us.
Since we lingered over dessert, we saw the cook and the waiters sit down to their own repast. This restaurant proved to be an excellent choice right near the Cathedral in a very central location. One of the waiters spoke some English and helped us with the Catalan menu, but even he relaxed when I spoke a few words of Catalan and also some Spanish -- the pressure was off, it seemed. I have found many Europeans are just as anxious as we are when we have to use a language we don’t feel secure in.
This restaurant accepts Visa, Master Card, and Diners.