FoodNet

The gourmet's guide to Europe

1903

Page 154

Presented as published in 1903. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
The Rioja bianco, Diamante, and Vinicola seem to be the wines most generally drunk at Justin’s. MM. Marius and Gerina were the proprietors, but I am told that Mons. Marius is no longer in command. In the central square, the Plaza Cataluna, is the Spain 279 new and gorgeous Restaurant Colon, attached to the hotel of that name. The decorations of the interior are artistic, and the building Colon, Plaza bears on its facade in gold and colours Cataluna the arms of the principal European nations. Here, as at Justin’s, the cookery is almost entirely of the French school. The chef is M. Azcoaga, the manager M. Scatti. There is a good fixed-price lunch and dinner, specimen menus of which I give : — 5 Pts. Dejeuner. Hors d’ oeuvre. CEufs poches Princesse. Filets de Sole Waleska. Poulet Cocotte Bayaldy. Buffet froid. Filet grille. Pommes fondantes. Biscuit glace. Dessert. 6 Pts. Dinner. Hors d’oeuvre. Consomme Duchesse. Creme Windsor. Turbot. Sauce Hollandaise. Carre d’Agneau Maintenon. Haricots verts Anglaise. Caille sur Canape. Salade. Peches Richelieu. Dessert. The Continental and Martin’s are restaurants for which every one has a good word. The former is in the Plaza Cataluna, and its cuisine continental, is both foreign and of the country. On Plaza Cataluna its bill of fare are always three plats de jour , and that on one day, Raviolis Napolitaine , Escargots Bour- 280 The Gourmet's Guide to Europe guinonne , and Filet grille Bordelaise were the three dishes, and on another QLufs Meyerbeer, Filet de veau frold aux Legumes , and Rap Marinera shows the variety of the fare. The prices of these dishes are all between i and 2 pesetas. Under the heading of fritures , all kinds of conchas and Escalopitas and Croquettas are to be found, as well as the Frito Mixto ; and the fish column gives an interesting selection of the sea denizens of the coast — Rap , Calamares , Mer- luza , Pouvine , and others. Martin’s in the Rambla del Centro is almost in Martin’s front of the Opera House, and has a Rambla del number of snug little rooms for supper- Centro parties, of two or more, after the theatre. The Grand Hotel des Quatre Nations on the Rambla is an up-to-date house, and has a restaurant Framjais attached to it which is called the Res- Rambla del taurant Fran^ais, and which is intended Centro to attract guests from the town as well as visitors staying in the hotel. Its appointments are excellent, and so is its orchestra. Panylbets , little round biscuits always eaten on Nov. i, can be obtained in Barcelona all the year round. Foezola (pronounced Fayzola) is a local dish. It consists of white beans and sausages, the beans being boiled before being placed in the oven to bake with the sausages. Arroz con Anguillas (rice and eels), into which octopi and mussels are often introduced, is another dish of the town, and so is Menudos de Gallina (chicken tripe). The Marquis de Riscal, a red Rioja which I have previously alluded to, and which is a comparatively expensive wine, costs 4 pesetas a bottle. There are many light inexpensive wines of local growth, such as Soller, Castell del Remey, and Olzinellas, both red and white. 2 8 I Spain The Clubs of Barcelona