Barcelona Cuisine | El Rey de la Gamba

Presenting El Rey de la Gamba or as it translates in English, The King of Prawns; the Catalan seafood restaurant which officially wraps Barcelona cuisine week here on III. The open air terrace where rows of white linen table clothes and metal chairs backed by red fabric sit under a large tent is located on Passeig de Joan de Borbó which borders the harbor of Barceloneta. The trip certainly wouldn't have been complete from a culinary perspective if we didn't get ourselves some traditional Seafood Paella! While pretty much every other restaurant on Las Ramblas serves this dish, which embodies a serious mass touristic appeal, we had a couple spots in mind in the Barceloneta neighborhood and were hopeful to get a really good batch!This restaurant ended up being a spontaneous choice. That night we had some minor issues with our map (the road we needed to find was not on it), got lost in a sketchy 'hood (the type of spot we did not want to look lost) before ending up on Barceloneta's main drag, starving and a little defeated. El Rey's location, beckoning neon sign and giant seafood posters indicated a tourist trap, but we decided to go for it. Our disingenuous waiter had a friendliness that felt forced, which might not have been so bad if it was consistent! Other times he seemed to be annoyed by our presence, and his attitude was rather lethargic.That being said, we still managed to get cold beers and hot food in a respectable time frame! The iconic Catalan tapas to begin the meal, Pa amb tomàquet was essential, per usual. The fresh tomato and fruity olive oil punctuates so perfectly each crevice of the hearty bread. Gosh I love this stuff. (Or couldn't you tell?) I've been eating it by the plateful! When in Spain....And then came the piece de resistance, a ginormous pan of Seafood Paella with paprika and saffron infused rice, studded with bright green peas and soft set mini potatoes, dusted in fresh parsley and served with lemon wedges.
The bomba rice was wonderfully flavored and executed to a perfect tenderness. Its liquid absorbing capabilities are what make it ideal for paella, the grains expand substantially to become fluffy without being sticky. The bottom layer becomes slightly toasted, adding a welcome textural contrast. Admittedly, I felt the seafood could have been a little more substantial. The mussels freshness paled in compared to the plate we had at Tapas 24. However, we were still delighted by the pan of food overall. We relished the experience, savoring every tender shrimp, juicy prawn and briny clam.

I wouldn't peg El Rey de la Gamba as a restaurant you must visit, especially since you can get paella almost anywhere. However, for us, it was simply meant to be! Definitely do some research, have a trustworthy map on hand, and whatever you do, don't miss out on this iconic seafood and rice dish if you travel to Barcelona!

Well my friends, this officially wraps Barcelona cuisine week; what a delicious journey it has been! I plan to incorporate a couple of fun photo montage posts of the city sights before saying goodbye, and then, it's onward to the final destination of the trip, San Sebastian!

New Eats in Back Bay: The Brahmin

Restaurants and lounges are opening like wildfire in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood. Take for example the property on Stanhope Street which has undergone a complete overhaul in the last year to welcome a trifecta of upscale establishments. The latest to open its Brownstone framed doors, serving affordable American cuisine in an atmosphere evoking classic old world elegance is The Brahmin. I joined Meghan, Emily, Megan and Amy two Sunday evenings ago where we took full advantage of the nice weather, opting to dine on the patio. Our waitress possessed a good grasp of the menu offerings and delivered timely service throughout. We ordered a number of small plates which she had expedited in stages, setting a relaxed pace for the meal instead of an overwhelming rapid fire of dishes. We were elated to see Fried Pickles ($5) on the menu, these crave-able discs were delicately fried and accompanied by a sweet pepper sauce. Akin to the fried pickles, a menu listing of Tater Tots ($6) always warrant attention. What this batch lacked in seasoning they made up for with a trio of dipping sauces including truffled ketchup, garlic aioli, and grainy mustard. We balanced the hot crispy bites with a light Arugula Salad ($6) consisting of goat cheese, fresh apples and prosciutto in a zesty lemon vinaigrette. Peppery, creamy, sweet and salty, this simple salad was a delight. Even more delightful was the Potato and Roasted Onion Fritatta ($3.50) for the combined facts that we ordered it whim, it only cost three dollars and fifty cents and its deliciousness took us by complete surprise.A thick wedge of fluffy eggs loaded with potatoes and onions was reminiscent of the Tortilla de Patatas I ate in Spain! The Brahmin's version was elevated by fresh scallions and a diced red and yellow pepper salsa that embodied a remarkably refreshing sweetness.From the sea, an order of Grilled Prawns ($8) were nicely prepared in a smokey chipoltle rub, and the Tuna Two Ways ($10) presented an ordinary tartare and seared slices of the fish atop rectangles of juicy watermelon. I almost wished this dish was tuna one way, the latter preparation impressed far more than the former, but I suppose it's all what you are in the mood for. Sometimes, two is more exciting than one, so I appreciate the concept and thought behind the fresh tuna duo. A beautiful platter of Seasonal Tomatoes ($7) with baby mozzarella, cold press oil, smoked sea salt and micro greens clung to summer while a hearty Beef Short Rib ($11) with cauliflower parsnip puree and pickled shallots marched towards fall. I thoroughly enjoyed both. Rounding out the dishes was a plate of nicely charred Grilled White Asparagus ($5) wrapped in serrano ham with a luscious lemon sauce and another one of those too-good-to-pass-up elevated comforts, Truffle Mac & Cheese ($7). Admittedly the consensus was that the use of truffle oil throughout was inconsistent, but when you got that luxurious truffle infused cheesy bite, especially one coated with baked breadcrumbs, all was forgiven. I briefly wandered inside at the end of our meal. The swanky interior evokes a turn-of-the-century vibe. Flickering candles and ornate chandeliers illuminate the deep maroon and brown toned decor. Tufted leather couches are set against exposed brick walls displaying canvas portraits.

It feels destined to become a Back Bay hot spot. Next time, I'd venture in to enjoy a creative (or a classic) cocktail at the wrap around copper top bar. This time around I was content to sip on a glass of Sparkling Pinot Noir and soak up the Indian summer weather on the patio. Dining al fresco and sharing dishes is a common theme when these ladies and I step out together, The Brahmin's well rounded menu provided a tasty experience that was all too easy on our wallets.

Mystery Meet #10: Tres Gatos

Back in July and August you may (or may not, it seems like ages ago) recall I attended Mystery Meet events at restaurants that earned high praise on my end; Ten Tables and Myers + Chang, respectively. The first of their kind in a series of purchase-tickets-in-advance-to-a-secret-location-dinner, the Mystery Meets continued every second Tuesday of the month, with other plans of mine sadly interfering until eventually Mystery Meets happened to fall of my calendars radar all together. With a new clue posted each week, I had a pretty good idea that this months location was one dinner I did not want to miss out on.
Hint #1: Jacki & Meesh from Just Add Cheese will host this affair.
Hint #2: Where? "Let's get together and feel alright."

Hint #3: Gaudi approved.

Hint #4: Despite where this restaurant opened this year, the concept is anything but plain.

Hint #5: Garfield, Sylvester and Puss 'n Boots.

The Reveal:

Tres Gatos is a full service tapas bar, book and music store founded on the belief that sharing good food, music and books is essential to a happy life. Who wouldn't agree?! Located at 470 Center Street in Jamaica Plain, it is just a 15 minute walk from the orange line (Stonybrook) through a picturesque neighborhood. I was greeted by a multi-level gray blue house with an under construction stone patio.I have a feeling that upon completion his will be a lovely outdoor dining space. I paid the book and music store a visit first, checking out the vast selection of old vinyl records and new paperback books amongst crisp wood shelves and brightly painted blue walls. It was a most enjoyable start to the evening.Tres Gatos means three cats en Español, and clue #5 makes a whole lot more sense now. The restaurant actually shut its doors tonight on Mystery Meets behalf; given the cozy intimate size and the number of tickets sold.The space is refined Spanish chic with tasteful decor everywhere you look and charming tables filling the cozy nooks; from corner banquettes backed by a landscaped mural on one end to high tables perched in the wide arched windows on the other. Split by a black lacquered wood bar, I thought the transformation of the interior into a living room esque vibe worked really well. A distinctive collage of Spanish liquor bottle lables caught my eye next to the fireplace. The opposite room boasts an 8 person chefs table across from a tiny open kitchen. Painted in bright complimentary colors, the orange wall meets blue table was strikingly gorgeous, the beauty only enhanced by prominent light fixtures and terra cotta sculpted wall art. Small standing counters located in each room tie the space together evoking the style of a traditional tapas bar.Speaking of tiny open kitchen, the first course is plated and looks just about ready to serve.In the meantime I mingled amongst other diners in the bar, sipping a light bodied slightly mineraly rosé whose name escapes me.After a warm welcome from our hosts, Jacki and Meesh, and an introduction by chef Marco Sanchez, we took our seats at one of the various locations and browsed the four course menu, which came at a fixed price of $42 including tax and gratuity. Drinks were extra and they also offered a full wine pairing for $24. I opted out of the wine pairing since I continued to sip my rosé and also enjoyed a glass of red over the course of the meal.The first plate was a trio of inventively paired Tapas. I was rather impressed and I might go so far as to call it my favorite dish of the evening.The simplicity of the mildly sharp breakfast radish with Moses Sleeper cheese and cervil awoke the palate with grace. Moses Sleeper is super creamy Camembert-style cows milk cheese from Vermont.The pork stuffed cerignola olive draped in anchovy was a fantastic creation. The melding of a briny duo of flavors with tender pork was unusual and captivating.The final bite of a thinly sliced crostini retained a light crunch while maintaining a soft bread like texture touting a bite of firm buttery manchego cheese topped with paper thin piparras.The second course of Gambas a la Plancha boasted two perfectly cooked prawns, the juicy morsels retained a welcome amount of slightly sweet and citrusy flavors. A deep and vibrant green, the cilantro coulis deserves some serious praise. However there wasn't nearly enough to do about it - I wanted to drink the plate or have more components to run through it in all its cilantro flavored glory.I can't say that all the elements in the next plate of Fideos were cooked as perfectly, but overall I still enjoy this traditional Spanish noodle dish. It came with with piquillo peppers in a thin yet flavorful red sauce. The chorizo was rather dense, almost to the point of being hard. The texture was similar to that of a thick slice of pepperoni. I definitely wasn't expecting this texture profile but I embraced it. The mussels did not appear to fully cook. Two were slightly cracked where I could pry them open with some force, and even though I know you're not supposed to, I really wanted to eat them! The body was somewhat mangled and defeated by the time I got to it. The plump juicy mussels I truly craved were a miss. Other diners plates had some similar mussel opening issues. And unfortunately, my plate only saw one, maybe two small bites of chicken.

For dessert we were served a plate of Queso, the selection of cheeses impressive as was the thoughtful pairing of a sweet element, but the portion was minuscule and it truly left me wanting more. Perhaps if the later courses had filled me up this plate would have been the perfect digestif, but for some reason tonight my ravenous appetite was not appeased.

At twelve o'clock we have Torta de la Serna a sheeps milk from Spain; served with quince. To the right is Cheverin a goats milk from Belguim displaying a funky richness and a thick rind served with fig. Lastly the Manchego Curado another sheeps milk from Spain; coagulated with thissel giving it a grassy earthy taste served with honeycomb.

Perhaps it was the omission of a bread course, or maybe the fact that I ate four tapas plates over the course of 2 hours that left my appetite at bay. Heck maybe it speaks to just how much I enjoyed the dishes I ate - I wanted more of them!

The tapas at Tres Gatos are first and foremost a true delight for the sense of smell. From the moment they are placed in front of you the aromatics work their magic something special. I thought they nailed bold flavor profiles and I was constantly tasting something innovative. I'm still captivated by the thought of a pork stuffed olive. Prawns were sufficiently more stimulating than your standard body of shrimp and that cilantro coulis was fantastic. The Spanish noodles were fun, despite not nailing the execution of certain elements.

Mystery Meet has seen much success since its inception ten months ago and they continue to fulfill a goal of scoping out new and exciting restaurants in different areas of the city. A commendable job to the ladies of Just Add Cheese for gathering us all to experience the neighborhood comforts of Boston's newest - make that only tapas bar, book and music store.