La Merendero

La Merendero

Olimpic Marina
Barcelona

Monday, 24th May 2004

What a hot day. We stroll down to the Olimpic Marina from our rented appartment in Ribera and ogle the beautiful boats.

We decide to eat at one of the many establishments flanking the marina. Without any real reason to choose one from another, we were enticed by the girl at La Merendero and sat at an outside table.

I really wanted to try some typically Spanish dish, and had had paella the day before.

I particularly like pasta, so l thought "Fideua", effectively paella made with noodles instead of rice, would be interesting. Marg selected her favorite: Grilled Sole.

To start, we ordered bread rubbed with fresh tomato - a standard in the area, and a flagon of Sangria. There then ensued a little comedy, with several attempts by several waiters to try to remember and deliver the correct order! The diners on the next table, Dutch, were as amused as us, and commented that though the service was laughable, the food they'd had was excellent - a reassuring thought!

Marg's Sole was very good, but I have to reserve the highest praise for my dish of Fideua. This was simply marvellous: the seafood was plentiful and very fresh (as should be expected in Barcelona!) and the noodles fine and prepared in the most gorgeous sauce. The serving was large - I didn't think I could manage even half of it. Nevertheless, I did in fact clean the plate!

We thouroughly enjoyed this meal. A beautiful setting, really good food, not too expensive and we had a good conversation with the (what's the term for the girl who stands at the front trying to bring in the customers?) and our Dutch neighbours.

Recommended 

Sandro and Marg