La Xalada’s owner, Isabel Cruz, describes it as “just like my home: feminine, comfortable, cheerful and bright.” The restaurant evokes the women of her family, she says. Upstairs you’ll find what Isabel calls “Grandmother’s corner,” complete with family photos hanging on the wall.
And just like at home, the food she offers is seasonal and, whenever possible, organic and local. The chef Gabriel González decides on the off-menu specials based on what the market has that day. The patatas bravas is one of the best dishes and is simple yet effective: baby organic potatoes are partially boiled, slightly broken, oven roasted and then fried and are accompanied by mole sauce made by a Mexican friend of Isabel’s. The organic eggplant chips and goat cheese is another popular item.
La Xalada is located along what appears to be the golden mile of tapas in Barcelona, on Parlament street in Sant Antoni.
Carrer del Parlament, 1, Barcelona
08015 Barcelona
Telephone: 931294331
Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 7pm – 1am.
Friday – Sunday: 1pm-5pm and 8pm-2am.
Text and photos: Tanit Parada Tur
Translation: Annie MacDonald