FRESH FISH AT A GOOD PRICE

Yesterday I decided to visit Can Maño ,because every time that I pass by there is always a big queue.
Is one of those cosy  restaurants with  his old style that doesn't lose in a district like Barceloneta that is changing every day

Very simple  menú with  fish ,meat and omelette (made at the moment )and there is the  option of platos combinado (set main courses). For drink soft drink ,wines and beers 

We ordered as a starter  deep-fried aubergine (1,50€)and deep-fried potatoes (1,75 €) ,as main course I had fried salmonete (red mullet 8,50 € )my friend ordered oven-baked caballa (mackerel  5,00 €) 

What to say you can feel  the freshness of the fish  because they get it daily ,I was almost to repeat my dish but we decided to try the chipirones (baby  squid ) perfect fried 

When we asked the bill ,they made it on a simple piece of paper , we paid for everything no more then 25 €,this is for me one of the cheapest place to eat fresh fish in Bcn .

Service is friendly and attentive ,

They don't acept reserve so the best way to get a table is to go there very early ,better before of the opening hours .

Due to the fact that they are in different tourist guides nowadays you can find local people and tourists eating in this authentic place 

TAPAS MADE FROM THE GRANDMA

Yesterday before to go to the  beach we stopped to Cova Fumada is a small celler located in the middle of  Barceloneta just on the left of the big market.There are no signs over the doors ,so 

you´ll have to look for people waiting outside and follow your nose toward the aromas wafitng out the window from the kitchen.From the moment you come  in you felll  in warm family atmosphere

There are just seven old , marble-topped tables and old pictures of the city around .The kitchen is open and you can see the Grandma still to the stove .They don't have menú but  just a prehistoric blackboard with all the dishes that they serve ,but the waiter will be very  helpful

We start with two bombas(potato croquette with traces of crispy mincemeat ) topped with a alioli and a spicy sauce , be careful of the grade of spiciness you ask .Seems  like that this tapas were invented here by Maria Pla ,grandmother of the current owner in 1950s . Then we had  a  russian salad,nothig special 

Some simple grilled artichoke came after, very tasty .They are specialize in cod and we order it with tomato ,i don't realy like it but this was amazing  ,actualy had a sweety taste .Finish  off with grilled calamari with parsley and garling,impossible to asking something simpler and more complex

For drink we had a quinto of Estrella damm and a jar of wine .

Maybe remain few mythical places like this in barcelona ,some catalan people seated next to us asked some dishes to take away.You can miss this spot if you are in the barceloneta quarter and you like fresh seafood .Be careful they don't acept reserve so if you want to get a table you need to go in a not busy time .

Hours : Day time  Monday to  Friday  9.00 to 15.30 

                            Saturday    9.00 to 13.30 

            Afternoon  Thursady and Friday 18.00 to 22.30 

            Close on Sunday and Bank holiday 

MENU DEL DIA IN FRONT OF THE BEACH

Yesterday was a sunny day , so I decide to go for a nice menú del dia( cheap daily menú)  to Kaiku ,is a restaurant located to the end of Passaige de Joan Borbo`just before the Barceloneta beach  

In the menú del dia you have the option to choose between 3 starters ,3 main courses and deserts. We all opted to start with fideua with squids and mushrooms ,it was so tasty and instead of  a classic alioli sauce they served a mushroom cream .

For main course we  were tempted also for the same dish. Mairas(blue whiting) deep fried over cous cous ,the fish was fresh and full flavoured

At the moment of the deserts the waiter came with  a long list to choose from ,but this time everyone take a different one .We had homemade brownie, red fruits mousse (very refreshing)  and panna cotta with strawberry coulis .No words 

To match this food in the beginning we thought for a glass of white wine ,but the waiter said that if we choose a red we will get a whole bottle and it wasn't a bad idea because it was a little bit fresh and easy drinking .

The most amazing thing is that the menú cost only 11 euros and you are eating just in front of the beach, they have also a nice terrace .I suggest to make a reservation before you go, because is always fully booked .

The restaurant was full of locals  which most of them opted for a la carte menú,because they serve fresh fish from the market and I heard that they make a good paella. The service is very friendly 

                    

Tel: 932 21 90 82

Hours 13:00- 15:30 ,19:00-23:00

LA XAMPANYERIA

Maybe can sounds like a place where you will find some champagne ,but you will able to drink only cava from their own winery Can Paixano .I always go here before 5 pm because you can have a bottle of cava for 4.10 euros after  they serve only glasses  (the cheapest one  cost 0.85 cents).
La Xampanyeria was founded 1969 , is located between Barceloneta metro station and the big post office of Carrer Layetana .

They have 5 kinds of cavas ,from the rosat (rose')to the driest one,with my friends we always go for the rosat because is easy drinking.They don't serve you alcohol unless you order some food ,if not everyone  will come out very drunk .

On the wall you can see what they  offer to eat ,they have differents  bocadillos (sandwiches) made with grilled meat  or  classics with jamon serrano .Also there are differents kinds of tapas: cecina (kind of catalan bresaola ) , cheese in oil and many spanish cured meats.
Every thing is so good and perfect to match with the cava

There are no chairs or table,you just stand, be pushed by people passing by and  throw your trash on the floor (very typical spanish )
Can Paixano offers the opportunity to buy at the store itself, because the   bottom part is like a small shop where you can find a variety of preserves, sausages, cavas and wines
A place to visit  before you go the Barceloneta beach


Adress :Carrer de la Reina Cristina  ,7
Tel.933100839
Closed on sunday