Cantina Machito

Restaurante de cocina mexicana en Barcelona ( Barrio de Gracia )
Es un restaurante recoleto decorado al estilo de una cantina típica del país, que se encuentra en la calle Torrijos.

Puedes tomar una Coronita mientras esperas una mesa libre, aunque la entrada no es muy amplia y la espera puede resultar un poco incómoda si se va en grupo. El acento mejicano se deja oír en el local, lo que no deja de ser una garantía.

La carta va más allá de lo que suele ofrecer un mejicano convencional. Los huevos con frijoles a la olla, no me convencieron (8,25 €), los encontré sin gusto, sosos. Los tacos de guisado (carnitas) con carne mechada a la salsa de limón fueron, por el contrario, una sorpresa refrescante, algo que va más allá de los estereotipos que uno pueda tener de la cocina mejicana. Para compartir una orden de tacos con queso fundido y chorizo desmigado con especias, es una opción excelente. La gran sorpresa de la noche fueron, sin embargo, las aguas de fruta (2,50 €), lo mejor para combatir el bochorno barcelonés.

Food and Cocktail

SAMSARA, 6th Terol St., very close to Revolution Square, at Gràcia District.

Wandering in Gràcia we bumped into this bar, and it was a great surprise. Small tables and seats, relaxing music and low light; usually there's a paintings exhibition and video-art is showed.

There's a blackboard where different dishes are showed, and they seem delicious (very nouvelle cuisine, with things like watermelon gazpacho with croutons and chives oil), but I'm ashamed to say that, if I choose this bar it is because it is not easy to drink a good gin fizz out of ultra-fashion hotel bars. There's a wide range of cocktails to be chosen. Champagne cocktail, Piña colada (with or without alcohol) and Mojitos are probably the "best sellers". However, I remain faithful to my gin. Cocktail prices are around 5 €.

La Bascula del Borne

This is a restaurant where I've been several times but only one ate. It was Jack's cousin who showed us, but that time we ended up eating a potato no matter where, so full was the place. I've tried like five times to eat there, but couldn't find it again (I usually loose my bearings quite easily).

Finally, last week, phoning Jorge, we could find La Bascula (Flassaders 30 bis, at the Borne District). But, of course, we had to wait for a while, because again, the restaurant was full; this time we did, but try to arrive early to get a table.

This is a mostly vegetarian restaurant which is run by La Cerería, a cooperative founded my Argentinians. As the courses are quite "handmade" (and amounts)they may change from one time to the next, but it's worth it anyway.

Try the Bufalo mozzarella or the Argentinian mate. I wanted a Tabbouleh, but it had run out. My friends ate Rice with frijoles (beans), but we've been told that pasta is really great: taste the great vegetable lasagna.

Drink the organic beer, which is a pleasant surprise.

And don't forget the dulce de leche or the mascarpone, as the finishing touch for the meal.

The waiters are not profesionals, so they'll make you feel at your own place, with the good and the bad that implies... (be ready to wait for a while and don't exasperate).

It deppends on what you're eating, but it may cost around 10 €.