The district of Gràcia is, without a doubt, one of the most popular leisure areas in Barcelona, and offers an infinity of registers for all palettes and pockets. From vermouth bars and traditional informal tapas at the bar, to cheap takeaway food stands, passing by world cuisine restaurants and more creative establishments, with tables, formality and a higher price point. Goliard restaurant is amongst the latter.
Goliard Restaurant is one of those typical Gràcia restaurants hidden amongst the tiny streets of the neighbourhood very close to the Plaça de la Vila (Carrer del Progrés, 6), and offers a range of traditional Catalan cooking readapted with a very creative touch and exquisite presentation. The highlight of this place are its innovative dishes, mix of flavours and quality ingredients. All of this is set in a cosy venue with wooden touches that give the place an authentic feel.
One of the things I most liked about Goliard is that it offers the option of choosing full or half portions on the menu, which gives you a way to try even more goodies. An interesting option is sharing 5-6 half portions between two, which is what we did on our visit, with sensational results.
Goliard’s original portions
Among our selection of delicatesen dishes includes: caremalised duck croquettes; scallops in ponzu sauce with yuca chips – an excellent miz of soft scallop with the crunchy texture of the yucca; grilled octopus tentacle with potato and sweet red pepper purée – a magnificent mix of flavours, with the octopus done to perfection and bathed in a creamy sauce; grilled camembert – the night’s surprise, with a strong but delicious flavour, making it an irresistible delicacy; grilled kanguroo steak with apple and curry vinaigrette – an original miz of sweet and salty flavours, accompanying an exotic meat with a soft, tender texture; and steak tartar – also a recommendable option due to its savourous touch and flavourings used. For dessert, to round off a great meal, we ordered some original gin & tonic and mojito sorbets.
Furthermore, all this was washed down with a magnificent wine, which married perfectly with the different options.
In total, the bill for the different shared half portions, wine and dessert came to €35 per person. It can’t be called a budget restaurant, but the atmosphere of the place, impeccable presentation of the dishes and exquisite standard of the food help to balance out the price-quality ratio a bit more.
As well as the standard menu, Goliard Restaurant also offers a tasting menu for €25 (without drink), with a selection of exquisite dishes, which might be of interest if you’re going in a group and like the look of the dishes included.
I’m also told that the restaurant offers a highly recommendable set daytime menu during the week for €13.50, which offers a good variety of dishes as well as the same exceptional quality as ever.
The waiting staff is formed up of professional, attentive, polite waiters, all of whom are very open to explaining the different culinary options, as well as giving their best recommendation for a good wine to go with it. Which is enormously helpful.
Goliard offers creative cooking, with varied, original dishes, served with careful presentation and guaranteed to leave a good taste in your mouth. I’d recommend it for a special occasion, whether you go with a partner or in a small group of friends.
The only downside is that some of the portions can be rather small for their price, but they are truly exquisite. Also bear in mind that you shouldn’t go while in a hurry, because the dishes are elaborate and need some preparation time.
So if you’re looking for a creative, quality option for a special occasion, Goliard is without doubt an excellent choice.
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Oh my God, Carlos i am drooling on these awesome food pictures! This looks fabulous. I am definitely going to Barcelona soon.