Restaurante Italiano Patsa Lab — Restaurant in Barcelona

It’s not often that I judge a restaurant more on its service than the food, but unfortunately, and with a heavy heart, that’s what’s I'm about to do. The experience we had tonight was great in terms of the food. The dishes were delicious. We chose two tasting menus, and I think we got it right. We didn’t feel like we were short on food, and the whole experience was enjoyable. The service was also friendly.

However, the experience was slightly overshadowed by the timings imposed by the restaurant; as soon as we sat down, we were told that we only had an hour and twenty minutes to eat because our table was booked for another couple afterwards. As they saw our shock face, they explained that this rule was the same for everyone and detailed when we booked (which we certainly didn't see).

This kind of policy is becoming more common in restaurants, especially popular ones that rely on customer reviews. And it's understandable to some point. But what’s unusual is having such a short time frame, just an hour and twenty minutes, instead of the usual two hours which is way more reasonable. In our case, it wasn’t like we were a big group, a family, or a bunch of friends. Those are situations where you might take your time. It was just my daughter and me, a simple and quick dinner.

We did our best to stick to the time, eating the dishes as they came out. Keep in mind that a tasting menu generally has more courses than a regular meal. In the end, it took us an hour and fifty-five minutes to eat, and there was just no way we could have done it faster, since the timing was dictated by the food prep and service. We were finishing each plate in under five minutes. And we didn’t have coffee or tea at the end, which would have taken us past the two-hour mark.

You could probably cut down your time if you don’t go for the tasting menu, but the tasting menu is a big part of what makes this place special. And... you shouldn't really be worried about this as a customer, after all! So honestly, this timing issue made it felt like we were under pressure to eat quickly, and it took away from the overall enjoyment. It just does not make sense for a place with a tasting menu to have this kind of restriction. Even the staff seemed a bit uncomfortable having to explain it.

From a management point of view, doing time slots of an hour and twenty minutes instead of two hours might let them get one more seating per table each night. But it’s the first time I have seen management so focused on squeezing in extra customers, even when it clearly does not fit with offering a tasting menu.

It’s a shame that I had to focus this review on the timing issue, because I like to highlight what really matters: enjoying the food. And I want to make it clear that this place is worth trying, at least once, because they have some really interesting dishes. The place itself, while not fancy, is small, cozy, and relaxed. If you sit upstairs by the railing, you can even watch the dishes being prepared below, which is pretty cool. Parking is also convenient, with a few spots just a couple of minutes away on foot.

Aside from the bad experience with the timing, I don’t think it’s a place we would go back to, but we are glad we tried it, and we did enjoy some delicious pasta.

If I had to make a recommendation, it would be to make your reservation over the phone, instead of online, and make sure that you discuss your timing allowance with them depending on what your plan...

My partner and I visited The Pasta Lab as we were wanting so lighter Italian fare for dinner. We made reservations for 7:30 and on arrival we were sat at a nice table for 2. The restaurant is not large which is part of the charm.

Our server, Juan, was a pleasant young man who was able to communicate with us given our lack of Spanish. We opted to start with sparkling water and we also ordered a bottle of Irpinia Aglianico - Bellaria. A good choice. There was a a bit of miscommunicado about the actual wine producer when the bottle arrived at the table (apparently they were out of the Aglianico on the menu that we ordered). But all was sorted out with Victor, the more senior server and I believe one of the owners.

You can order from 2 levels of tasting menu that offer a flight of pastas, or from the a la carte menu. We were not hungry enough for the tasting menu so we ordered a la carte.

For starters we each had the Bresaola, rucola and parmigiano scaglie with balsamic vinegar from Modena Or Cured meat with arugula, parmesan cheese, and balsamic vinegar from Modena.

This dish was wonderful. The smokey soft Burrata melted in our mouths, the arugula and balsamic refreshed the pallet. Definitely order this.

My partner opted for the Chef Recommended Maccheroni alla Rossanese (with sfilettato vitello ragú with 6 ore di cottura in due tempi in pentola di terracotta) Or Macaroni Rosanese (with beef braised in a clay pot for 6 hours in two stages) Substantial and delicious.

I went for something lighter: Tagliatelle with porcini mushroom Or Tagliatella with boletus sauce Rich and very satisfying. Both paired well with the Aglianico.

In summary, Definitely worth a visit. I want to come back with a bigger appetite and do the tasting menu for a variety of pastas. There are many house made pastas on the a la carte menu that you...

A Hidden Italian Gem in the Heart of Barcelona

Tucked away from the city’s busy tapas scene, this Italian restaurant was a breath of fresh (air-conditioned!) air on a hot Barcelona afternoon. With a menu that offers an excellent variety of fresh pasta dishes, it’s also a fantastic find for vegetarians.

Though not listed on the menu, the staff were more than happy to prepare a custom green salad—and it was outstanding. Fresh, crisp greens topped with shavings of Parmesan, juicy cherry tomatoes, and delicious Kalamata olives, all lightly dressed in a balanced, refreshing vinaigrette. It was the perfect start for a warm day.

The gnocchi in gorgonzola and walnut sauce was a standout. Light and pillowy, the gnocchi melted in the mouth, and the sauce walked the perfect line—rich and flavorful without being overwhelming. My partner's tortellini stuffed with ricotta were equally delicious, cooked to perfection and full of flavor.

The atmosphere added even more to the experience: chilled jazz music played at just the right volume, and the cool indoor air made it a comfortable and relaxing meal.

We ended with a scoop of pistachio gelato (creamy, nutty, with just a hint of salt) and a glass of excellent limoncello.

In short, this is a top-notch spot for anyone craving authentic Italian food, especially vegetarians or those in need of a break from the fried fare of Barcelona’s markets and tapas bars. We'll...