Wholesome Wholefood in Barcelona (Restaurants in Barcelona in general)

Member Name: wulf

Product:	Restaurants in Barcelona in general
Date:	26/03/02 (850 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: very helpful, friendly service, inexpensive, wholesome food

Disadvantages: limited choice (though menu changes daily)

Gaupatti Restaurant, Carrer dels Tellers (near Placa de Catalunya)

My introduction to Barcelona was less than propitious. It was raining, hard, and the umbrella was still in London. Our shoes were soaked and my normally good sense of direction had gone on a walkabout. Our mood was slightly improved by the efficient welcome at the hotel, another review to write. However, we were getting hungry and so the immediate priority was finding somewhere to eat.

My wife and I set off down a sidestreet in the direction of Las Ramblas, Barcelona's most famous boulevard. Casting an eye around Carrer dels Tellers, we saw a blackboard advertising an appetising 'menu del dias' (menu of the day) for a reasonable sounding 7 - 9 euros (up to about £6), depending on whether you wanted the vegetarian or meat option. Thinking it foolish to pass an opportunity to satisfy ourselves with food we ventured in to find out whether we going to love or hate the city.

The city council of Barcelona should be grateful to the proprietors of the Gaupatti. From the moment the owner greeted us, realised our ineptitude at Spanish, and switched to explaining the food on offer in friendly and fluent English, we felt quite set at ease. Let me describe the layout of the restaurant followed by a taste of the food on offer.

it is a small and homely establishment - organic food served in an organic setting. There are about eight tables with enough space for thirty or so diners. Eating at an English 1pm or 1:30 there was plenty of room, although it did seem to fill up by about 3pm (perhaps a more Spanish hour for dining). Most of the tables had tiled tops, but there was some variety - not to mention a whole range of different chairs and a very diverse assortment of light fittings.

The lighting was not overly bright, although I'd characterise this as low key rather than dingy. In fact, reflected off the tan coloured walls, the effect was very warm and co
mfortable. Maybe I could sum it up, with the title of a song by ZZ Top, as a 'groovy little hippy pad', although the background music was low key 'world music' and classic jazz rather than hard boogie rock.

The decor was rounded out by a selection of textiles from India, bags, cushions and the like. As far as I could understand, Gaupatti is an outlet for 'Comercio Justo' (fair trade) and supports an enterprise based in India. As a subscriber to the concept of ensuring that producers from developing nations get a fair return for their labour, I was glad to have found an establishment that was working with that end in mind (although, not being in need of any of the colourful selection of bags and pillows they had on display, I didn't investigate that side of their business any further).

For our money, we got a three-course meal, with complimentary bread (wholegrain brown) and water (bottled). The menu varies from day to day but will provide you with a starter, a main course (with or with out meat) and a pudding. None of the portions were massive, but taken together they provided an ample feast.

The food was very good, with a natural feel. It tasted like good home cooking rather than the pre-packaged goods dished up by some restaurants; I suspect the organic ethos permeates the kitchen as well as the dining hall. Presentation of the food was very good, especially the starters (which were small enough to leave some room on the plate for arrangement).

Should you be feeling hungry in Barcelona, and find yourself towards the top end of Las Ramblas, walking towards Placa de Catalunya, look out on your left for Carrer dels Tellers which will lead you to this haven of tranquillity (and wholesome wholefood) in the heart of bustling Barcelona.

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