FALL FROM GRACE. To sum up the disappointment that my family and I experienced here is hard to do. As a family that would consider Barcelona one of our go to restaurants since before the pandemic, we have always held Barcelona to a high standard. However, the last few visits have been worse and worse...where today was the nail on the coffin. Coming with my elderly grandparents who have always enjoyed Barcelona, we were seated by the manager who at best seemed disinterested. When the waitress greeted us with the same aloof attitude we knew we'd be in for a long dinner. Not only did the restaurant take their iconic empanadas of the menu which was a disappointment on its own, once we ordered our food, there came more issues. Taking our drinks, we ordered a bottle of wine along with my grandfather ordering another cocktail, to which the waitress said, "I'm sorry we cannot do that according to Massachusetts law it can only be one drink at a time." In my time living in the state, my entire life, no restaurant I have ever been to has ever done this or mentioned this..which was a complete shock. To continue the subpar service, the waitress did not know the menu at all, not being able to give guidance on the wine menu and not even know what was on or off the menu. When the food began to arrive, there was absolutely no pacing because our food came out before they even gave us bread or our drinks. And the restaurant was still very quiet so they very well could've paced it much better or paced it at all. The food itself was nothing special, the dishes dropped off in quality since the last times we went. The chicken was overcooked, octopus was meh, and overall the food wasn't spectacular at all. The short rib was a nice surprise and honestly the saving grace of the whole place is there bread...when they give it to you at a reasonable time. The food runner throughout the whole night had this attitude as if she was doing you a favor and when we asked for the bread she had to restrain herself from telling us to calm down. Overall Barcelona is not what it used to be at all, and if you want mediocre food, and horrendous service then by all means go back, but know that this is unfortunately the last time we will be going to Barcelona.

UPDATE This was a redemption night for Barcelona, and boy did they live up to the hype. To remind those who may have read my previous review, the last time I came here with my family, our experience was very disappointing. After writing a review about my experience, I was promptly contacted by the general manager who was very accommodating and invited me back so they could right their wrong. After telling him that I'd be bringing my friends, we decided to go tonight. As soon as I arrived, I was greeted very politely, unlike the last time I went. Our waitress Madeline was incredibly kind, helpful, and an overall great person to wait our table. The service this time was well paced, crisp, and incredibly polite. Much better improvement than the last time. The food as well was a big step up from last time. Staring with some cheese and chorizo was a great move. Then, the croquetas, empanadas, short rib, scallops, and truffled bikini were all delicious. The olives, hummus, and spinach were also well liked by the rest of our table. Overall the food was also a step up from the last time I went, which was what I expected given how many times I had been before. The theme of tonight was redemption, and Barcelona did just that. They knew what the stakes were and they rose to the occasion and made my last experience seem like a total fluke. Well done Barcelona.