Bar Restaurant Pinotxo — Restaurant in Barcelona

This is one of the most talked about tapas bars in Barcelona. I've had multiple friends refer me here and Anthony Bourdain famously visited the spot for No Reservations. Unfortunately, more recently this spot has just become a tourist destination and the quality seems to match. No matter what they put on the plates they will have customers.

To start, there is no menu, the menu is the guy asking for your order. Which I love, if they would at least tell you what was on the menu. He asked us what we like to eat (which is everything), but then proceeded to give us dishes that tasted really similar. Anyway this is what he gave us:

Beef Stew -- this was probably the best dish, the meet was well cooked. It was very "homey", meaning it was a very simple tomato and paprika broth that the beef was cooked in accompanied by some potatoes. They sort of heated it, but it was room temperature.

Clams in Tomato broth -- this was the worst dish. About half the clams on the plate tasted very fishy, which is a sign they were not fresh and were sitting out for a while. They took it out of a pot that was cooked in the morning and heated it up, but not really so it was basically room temperature. The broth was very similar to the beef broth so no interesting flavors here.

Octopus salad -- this was a little better, cut up cold octopus salad with bell peppers in what tastes like an "italian dressing".

Venison skewer -- after asking about 3 times they said it was coming, even though they cook it in front of you and they were not cooking it and they never brought it out. We did get the bill with the skewer on it however (1 skewer is 9 euros for those wondering). We asked the server and he acted very surprised we didn't get it. Anyway, a little shady but I digress.

All in all the place is expensive, the service is poor, the food is basic and cooked in the morning and served at room temperature. The place is held up by what it used to be and unfortunately is not...

Bar Pinoxto is located in the Boqueria Mercat (fresh seafood/farmers market/local candy stands), it is bar style seating with the kitchen directly in front of you. I had the langostinos (lobster without claws) and 3 gambas (shrimp). All seafood is still fresh and moving right before being cooked. The lobster, and shrimp were prepared on a griddle. The lobster was split in half with olive oil drizzled with sprinkle of coarse kosher salt thrown on top. The lobster meat was sooo sweet and the juices from the shrimp heads were spectacularly succulent, especially with fresh bread dipped into it. Took a picture with the owner, was an eccentric fellow, but very friendly!

Note: Barcelona is proud of their Catalan heritage and often times speak it, government signs and many private business signs are in Catalan as opposed to traditional Spanish, which may make it harder for folks to navigate. Also beware the conversion factor this meal...

The new location of the world famous Pinotxo, run by the descendants of the legendary late former proprietor.

The word is, once he passed away, the family moved to Mercat Sant Antoni because La Boqueria is too much of a tourist trap. This spot is considerably more authentic.

I had fried monkfish with a sort of romesco sauce. The portion was four pieces. Quite big. And a skewer of marinated venison which was very flavorful. Deftly seasoned with thyme, a bit of cumin, and some other things. Both prepared to order and perfectly cooked.

All of the dishes looked very unique. I haven't seen these specific things on offer anywhere else. It's clear why Juanito won all his accolades and the family should be proud to be carrying on the tradition so well.

I'm sad I never made it to the original, but the new spot is wonderful by any read.

Service kind and efficient. It wasn't terribly busy when I went, but you can tell they're...