Pau Claris 190
A personalised dining experience in the heart of Barcelona
TEXT: KATE HARVEY | PHOTOS: PAU CLARIS RESTAURANT
Recognised by experts in this year’s Restaurant and Bar Awards 2019, Pau Claris 190 – a rustic, Mediterranean-style restaurant in the Catalan capital – focuses firmly on organic produce.
The eclectic neighbourhood of Eixample in Barcelona is characterised by a grid structure of leafy boulevards, with streets featuring a wonderful array of ornate buildings in the Modernistastyle – the Catalan answer to Art Nouveau. At number 190 along the street of Pau Claris, the restaurant is named after the pivotal Catalonian politician, after whom the street is also named.
The family-run restaurant is the brainchild of Raphael Warda and Lizbeth Brophy, who have brought their own influences to the expertly selected dishes. Raphael, who is originally from Germany, has spent years immersing himself in the traditions of various Mediterranean cuisines, as well as classic French technique, and the menu reflects the influences of both, alongside more than a dash of self-taught flair.
Raphael accredits his broad tastes to the influences of his childhood: his mother often travelled to India and her cooking was inspired by her travels.
Raphael’s menu similarly reflects these wide-ranging influences and varies weekly depending on what can be freshly sourced and what is in season. Dishes include wild fish, fresh from the Catalan coastline, freshly selected meat and organic, local vegetables rich in aroma and flavour.
You’ll also find Galician Celtic pork with chocolate and passion fruit sauce, tender dry-aged duck breast with coffee and orange reduction, Heura steak with beetroot ketchup, hummus and avocado cream, grilled scallops with rocket, mandarin dressing and, for pudding, crispy macadamia nuts – with fried pistachio ice cream breaded with almonds and a white balsamic reduction to finish.
Co-owner Lizbeth, who is half-Italian, half-Irish, is also the in-house sommelier and has created an extensive cellar with a bespoke selection of locally sourced and organically grown wines, as well as Lizbeth’s handpicked collection of rare vintages.
Lizbeth is also the point of contact for guests and believes firmly in giving guests a personal welcome. “Every customer is unique,” she explains, “and as such, they receive personalised service.”
Lizbeth herself is well versed in the world of gastronomy. She previously worked in her family’s restaurant near Venice, and for the last 18 years has been honing her craft in Barcelona.
Housed in a former florist’s, Pau Claris 190’s interior still retains its garden-like natural light, which combined with stylish wood and brick decor, provides an atmosphere which is as elegant and original as the cuisine.
Standards for hospitality are high in Barcelona, and Pau Claris 190 is no exception. “We are currently enjoying one of the most important moments for Pau Claris 190,” says Lizbeth, “as we have perfected our ‘savoir-faire’. We have worked hard to get here, and each day we intend to improve to ensure that our customers enjoy the whole experience.”
Book a table by calling +34932807766 directly, or email info@pauclaris190.com
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Receive our monthly newsletter by email
