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Hispania Restaurant

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MichaelJM
MichaelJM
First Reviewer
3 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
1
Review
5
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Editor Pick

Hispania

  • November 23, 2007
  • Rated 3 of 5 by MichaelJM from Nottingham, England
Hispania

We’d had quite a stroll round the gothic centre and the harbour and consequently had worked up quite a healthy appetite. Prices in the restaurants on the harbour’s edge reflected a “we know exactly how to charge” mentality and we were not that impressed with the exorbitant tariff. However, just off the front was a row of seafood restaurants with a much more realistically priced menu.

The Hispania was in that row and we were welcomed in by one of the waiters who promised us a free drink inside until an outside table became free. He indicated it would only be around 10 minutes and we, ready for a sit down, were more than happy to accept his offer.

Inside was fascinating in itself with the freshly tiled walls acting as the backcloth for a macabre art gallery. There were cured hams hanging from the ceiling, unhappy fish scowling from their slabs, squirming lobsters, petite octopus, and a whole range of other sea creatures that I failed to recognise. The tapas bar was a delight to check out and at the back of the bar colourful fruit sat alongside a large variety of bottled liquers.

After a short period of time and an enjoyable glass of free wine we were taken to our outside table and continued to pour over the extensive menu. We decided to go for a range of Tapas dishes that we could “mix and match” with and so each chose a couple apiece. I was keen to try out the baby octopus and as I’d never tasted them before they fitted the criteria for me to experiment with at least one new dish on holiday. I really should have known better as I’m not a real fan of calamari and these things tasted no better. In fact they had no real taste to them and were a bit chewy.

I also tasted Alioli potatoes for the first time – in real terms this is nothing that special as Alioli is, I discovered later, only a paste, popularized in Valencia and Catalonia, made by pounding garlic with olive oil and salt in a mortar until a smooth texture is obtained. Still it was another new experience and I was assured my my daughter-in-law that this Alioli was “superb”.

We ate well with various Empandas (both stuffed with meat and with vegetables) and a great plate of meat balls with a tasty almond sauce. Of course we were near enough to the sea to enjoy a few fishy dishes including garlic shrimps and an interresting dish, of Baked Clams with Prosciutto and Crumbled bread. Not that enjoyable but there again I know I’m not a lover of Clams.

On the outside this restaurant had nothing to mark it as different from its neighbours, but as I’ve said earlier it was reasonably priced (for the water front) and gave a chance to try a variety of fishy starters.

A decent enough place for lunch!

From journal Barcelona - a Celebratory Weekend

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