Carnal Steak House — Restaurant in Barcelona

Where to begin...

12/07/2024

I was on holiday in Barcelona with seven friends. To celebrate one of their birthdays, we decided to dine at Carnal Steakhouse, as it seemed like a promising spot. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the staff, though the service struck me as somewhat unrefined. During dinner, an unfortunate incident occurred: the waiter accidentally spilled my glass of wine all over my trousers and shirt. While I understand this was an accident and not intentional, I was not offered a replacement glass of wine—I had to request one myself. To make matters worse, the replacement wine was not the one we had originally ordered.

At that point, I spoke with the manager, acknowledging that accidents happen, but expressing my disappointment, especially given the high cost of dining there. He agreed and kindly offered to cover the cost of dry cleaning my clothes. In addition, the entire table received complimentary cocktails, which was a thoughtful gesture considering the somewhat awkward atmosphere the incident had created.

However, I had to spend 30 euros on an Uber to return home, change, and come back to the restaurant.

After returning from the holiday, I contacted my dry cleaner, who informed me that the white wine stains could not be removed from my clothes. I emailed the restaurant, and they generously agreed to cover the cost of a new outfit, which I appreciated. I purchased the replacement clothes and sent the receipt to the restaurant.

Fast forward to now—over two months since the incident—and I have yet to receive the promised reimbursement. They initially claimed the payment had been sent, but I have not received anything, and they are now ignoring my emails.

Therefore, I urge you and your friends or family to avoid this place. It’s baffling that they offer a €2,000 bottle of Pingus on the menu when their service is closer to that of a fast-food chain!

Albert...

This place is one of my favourites in town and I have been frequenting it for over a year and half now. The service goes from great to okay, but on my last visit, I was fairly disappointed. I had dinner plans with a friend and her Dad, reservations were at 8 but we arrived around 8:15 … it’s Spain. It’s already an early dinner and shouldn’t really affect anything. They gave us a table which essentially is made for two people only, even though we were three. The food couldn’t really fit on the table comfortably, and it made the dining experience a bit annoying.

The food itself was still pretty great

however there was a few issues - they didn’t have the tongs they usually give for us to use to grill on the stone , they didn’t have the pepper… amongst other little details ..the details are what make the experience … but all the can be overlooked because the food is still great.

THEN came the waitress who snatched the plate from my Freinds dad when his fork has not even reached his mouth. It was so rude, we were in shock ( she tried to deny it, then she changed her tune and said well the table is for two hours and we have given you almost 2:30 hours).

My Freinds dad then joked about ordering desert and she indirectly said to him no.

It’s bad enough they braught the mains before we even finished the starters, not once did she pass by to ask if we needed anything except when she came to snatch away the plates. I don’t expect top notch service in Spain, it’s not part of the culture, I get that. But I have my limits, and if I confront you with what you did wrong then you start arguing with me about why it is justified ; please do a job that doesn’t require interacting with people who are directly paying you.

We also saw her do her little plate snatch from the guy...

From the moment I arrived, Carolina’s service was nothing short of exceptional. She went above and beyond to make the evening truly unforgettable. Her warm demeanour, professionalism, and attention to detail created an atmosphere of comfort and ease. Not only is she incredibly knowledgeable about the menu, but her thoughtful recommendations elevated the entire dining experience. Carolina’s kindness and expertise truly set the tone for the evening, making it clear that she is dedicated to ensuring every guest has an extraordinary experience. She made what could have been just a meal into something truly special.

I also want to give a special mention to Mila, the skilled bartender. All the cocktails we tried were executed perfectly. Each one was balanced and crafted with precision. It’s clear that Mila knows her craft, and it added another layer of excellence to our evening.

Now, onto the food. Carnal Steakhouse offers a fantastic assortment of meats, and everything we tried was exceptional. As starters, the Japanese Wagyu and The Black Angus steak tartare were absolute highlights. The Japanese Wagyu, in particular, was a must-try full of flavour. The Picanha carpaccio was also an interesting and satisfying choice, though the first two starters really stood out. For the main course, I highly recommend the Spanish Wagyu and the Dry-aged Tenderloin. Both were the meaning of perfection, with high-quality cuts.

In conclusion, this restaurant has truly raised the bar for steakhouse experiences. Between the top-notch service from Carolina, the expert cocktails from Mila, and the fantastic menu, I’ll certainly be returning. Greetings from Amsterdam, and I can’t wait for my next visit to...