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La Fonda

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Luchonda
Luchonda
First Reviewer
4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
6
Reviews
2
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1-5 of 6

Worst Dining Experience

  • August 11, 2008
  • Rated 1 of 5 by 83wavedog from New york, New York
I had high hopes for La Fonda and was looking forward to going. We were a party of three and waited outside for no more than 20 minutes. Once seated we were happy with the room and the prices seemed to good to be true. Well it turns out that they were.

We were given English menus, then it took about 10 minutes for our drink order to be taken, 15 minutes later when no drinks had come and we flagged our waiter down he took our order again, as if it were the first time he had seen us. We then were asked if we spoke Spanish to which we said a little, but before the words were out of our mouths he was gone again. Finally we flagged him down again to which he finally brought over a Spanish menu to point out what we wanted (which took 1 min, but we had been waiting 20).

Our drinks came within 10 minutes and our appetizers followed shortly. We thought maybe things just got off on the wrong foot. Then we continued to sit with our empty plates in front of us for 35 minutes. The waiter came by once and said something about not having plates or something for the paea. We were each able to go downstairs smoke a cigarette get through 2 pitchers of Sangria and we still had dirty appetizer plates in front of us. ONCE AGAIN we tried to flag down our waiter and this time he literally waived us off with his hand.
I went downstairs and asked to speak to the manager, at first it appeared she would be helpful because she seemed apologetic about the amount of time we had been waiting and that other tables which had arrived after us were already paying their bills. She came upstairs and pulled a bus boy aside, she then started yelling at me telling me i was a liar and that i was exaggerating. This was the final straw, we asked for our check minus the main courses and left.
This may have been an isolated incident but the staff was extremely inconsiderate and unhelpful. Being treated like a child by waitstaff is not my idea of a pleasurable dining experience. I will never go back here and i will tell every one i know that visits Barcelona to not go here.
Editor Pick

La Fonda

  • September 16, 2005
  • Rated 5 of 5 by volgap from Birmingham, United Kingdom
La Fonda

La Fonda is just south of Plaça Reial on Carrer Escudellers, just off The Ramblas. Just take the second Alley on the left as you walk south past the Plaça. Alternatively head out of one of the south exits from the Plaça to join Carrer Escudellers. La Fonda is quite easy to find (near the brightly lit Chemist).

La Fonda is owned by the same people that run the fabulous Les Quinze Nits, and as such you can expect to queue for this popular spot. There are no reservations. The food was superb, and the costs were low/moderate, with starters, main meal, and dessert, plus vino, coming to less than 20 euros per head. The type of food is simple, local but very well done, with more than just a pinch of flair.

La Fonda, just like Les Quinze Nits, is a model restaurant, with excellent service, attentive staff, and a superb product. The decor is also similar and adds to a well-rounded meal. I really liked this restaurant and have no hesitation in recommending it to others.

From journal Barcelona, The Ramblas, and Catalunya Plaza

La Fonda

  • March 28, 2005
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Nosmig from Bude, United Kingdom
Yes, truly an experience. They don't take bookings, and the queue forms over half an hour before the doors open. At the busiest times, count the number in the queue ahead of you to see if the wait is worth it! Superb food, friendly and efficient staff, and great value. I wish there were more like this.

From journal Five days in Barcelona

Editor Pick

La Fonda

  • January 5, 2004
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Euroazz from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
This is my favourite restaurant in Spain. And many other people’s favourite, judging by the size of the line that waits to be fed. It is actually quite large inside (seating 400), but it’s impossible to book ahead. If you go with a group you will have greater "seating power" and probably get seating priority. Doors open at 8:30pm, so make sure you are lined up by 9 if you wish to graze here.

La Fonda is very easy to find. It’s located just off La Rambla, next to Placa Reial. It has great décor and the service is excellent. Dress is casual – it's quite hot here in summer.

The food is amazing and very well priced. Their specialties are rice, pasta, carpaccios, and meats... while the desserts are the clincher. My favourite dish would have to be the seafood paella (traditional rice dish). They bring out the dish still in the cooking pan and you dig out plate-size portions. The seafood in the paella is quite chunky and very fresh. They also have a great meat paella. Dinner for two with entrees, mains and a bottle of red came to less than 30 euros.

From journal Barthelona!

La Fonda Escudellers

  • November 3, 2002
  • Rated 4 of 5 by switzwd from Calgary, Alberta
Attentive service, great Catalan seafood dishes, and moderately priced yet good wines. The cost of the meal was 22 dollars including wine. Catalans, as with most Iberians, dine late. Plan to arrive no earlier than 9:30 pm if you wish to dine with others.

From journal A week in Barcelona

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