Barcelona Wine Bar — Restaurant in Philadelphia

I’m not exactly sure where to start with my experience at Barcelona Wine Bar yesterday evening. I will say, I am very aware of the importance of this weekend and next weekend, making restaurants inherently more busy and more overwhelmed.

Nevertheless, I found myself and my significant other at this Barcelona Wine Bar location on E Passyunk Ave. I will preface I have never been to this location, and most of my experiences at Barcelona Wine Bar have been at the locations in Boston Metro and New Haven. Both of which have been exceptional experiences time and time again.

Back to Philly. It is pretty hard finding parking in this area especially on a weekend night. That’s not an issue I would ever expect the restaurant to control but just some food for thought. Upon being sat for the reservation, I immediately noticed the water cups were covered with water marks which at nighttime/in the dark I would expect to be hard to do but they were just THAT dirty. Moving on… it took quite a while for the server to notice he got another table as they seemed very busy, which I normally wouldn’t mind being that I’ve been in their situation before. We ordered a sangria pitcher and started looking at the food menu. Server came back some time later to ask if we had questions or if we were ready to put food in, while also mentioning that the kitchen and bar is backed up and he’s still waiting on the sangria pitcher. Not a big deal, as we were hoping for a relaxing (not rushed) evening. I placed the food order for us being that my s/o has not been here and wanted me to handle this portion of the ordering. I ordered a slew of tapas, a charcuterie board, and two large plates. Very excited, the server and I agreed that it would be best to stagger the dishes. Server leaves, and not even 3 minutes later dishes start arriving (some of the tapas, not the charcuterie board, initially I’m confused but rolled with it thinking the server really was staggering the dishes). Eventually the sangria comes out and I will say it was very lacking. Extremely disappointed and not the quality of what I have had previously. It felt that the dishes would not stop coming out and we had very little time to breathe and actually enjoy the food. Towards the end of the tapas coming out, a large plate (paella) comes out. Now I’m almost certain that we aren’t getting the board, and we are missing a small plate still. The other large plate comes out and I’m getting incredibly frustrated. Missing a pork belly and the board which has up-charged meats on it that I have been dreaming of enjoying for some time. We finish the second large plate and get the remains wrapped up. Server comes over and asks if we want dessert. I let them know we did not receive the pork belly and the board. Their eyes go wide and instantly start apologizing. I completely understand being that it’s obviously busy but they’re also obviously very understaffed. I tell the server to forget the pork belly but I want the board to go. They comply and we finish off the meal with a delicious flan.

While the food held up to the quality I remember, the service was poor in my opinion the server was very polite but plates stacked up quickly on the table, water kept running out, and I felt like I was constantly looking around to get their attention. I will also mention that tables around us had seemingly similar experiences as they were visually frustrated by the food coming out quickly and not staggered at all as well as having to track down the wait staff. I will also mention I noticed there are a lot of open positions on their website as they are looking to hire a lot of people. Now I completely understand the current issues related to people unwilling to work. But. I will not stand for restaurants being packed to the gills and not having the proper staff when they know it’s an issue. I struggle to think I want to return to this location but I’ve said time and time again Barcelona is one of my favorite establishments. Management needs to do better, and I will not be returning...

I eat here usually once or twice a month. I always actually always call ahead to see if they have my favorite dish the roasted Branzino. I did the same on Sunday 10/27/2024. I had a craving for the Branzino as I was leaving work and decided on dining alone as there is no delivery service for Barcelona Wine Bar. . I wanted to sit at the bar but it was full so I was seated at a table by Hannah Grace who was extremely kind and I had spoken to earlier to confirm the Branzino was in stock. Once seated that is where the experience went left. I was seated in a section with Zola. She was less than attentive and did not acknowledge any of my requests. I asked for balsamic with the bread and oil. It did not happen. I ordered a cocktail. It did not happen. I asked for extra red chimichurri with my Branzino it did not happen. She checked on me once during the whole meal and asked if I was ok and I had to make a list of things that were missing. She never acknowledged I asked for them or led with empathy that I never received them but just replied ok and walked away. I finally got annoyed once I had not received my cocktail and told her just to cancel the cocktail and to bring to go boxes as I was OVER IT. She never acknowledged that it NEVER came. She didn’t try to fix it or check on the cocktail. She simply grabbed boxes and a check. I get it I was dining alone and she probably felt a way because I was seated at a table and it would effect her tip. She clearly thought because I was dining alone I did not warrant the same attention that she gave to the other patrons around me as she was extremely attentive to the others. I have many friends who work in the service industry and due to that I always tip 20% -25 %. Needless to say due to her lack of attentiveness I tipped only 8% and felt that was generous. I was tempted to not tip at all. I’m not one big on confrontation so I didn’t request a manager and knew a review would be more impactful as it would paint a better picture of my experience. Zola either needs additional training or to not being working in the service industry. It was the worst experience I have ever had at Barcelona Wine bar and while dining. I frequent there. I even had my most recent birthday dinner there with several friends. Hannah Grace tried to do damage control by completing an exit interview about the experience as I was leaving and I was candid. She offered a free entree on my next visit. I don’t think I will be going back. There are way too many restaurants in Philadelphia that actually value their patrons to have to be treated in this way. If I do return I will request not to be seated in Zola’s section. The quality of food was great as usual. The atmosphere was amazing as always. This review is simply about the horrible service I...

Having been in Barcelona (Bar-the-lo-nuh), Spain for 3 days back in May, I am now a full blown expert on Spanish cuisine and tapas so I was excited when a budding love interest made a res at this place. Oh you pronounce it "Bar-seh-lo-nuh?" Oh, ok..........

We arrived right on time for our 8:45 reservation, and were told they were running a bit behind so we went to grab a drink at the bar. Oh you think 8:45 is late for a res? You must have never been to Spain... It's really just a culture thing, you wouldn't get it...........

Aahahaahaha okay my bad I'm done being an A-hole I just like to yank your chain every once in a while, my dear reader.

After about 15 minutes at the bar, we were told our table was ready. I grabbed my Alebrijes and her Summer Street Sling, both fantastic drinks, and set them down at our table.

We sat down and our waitress, Danielle, dressed as an off brand Mario since it was Halloweekend, came to greet us. Danielle was a mf VIBE! After we ordered a FEAST, I asked if we were missing anything and she said we had to get the Chicken Pintxos while telling us which item to get rid of. How could you not respect that confidence?

We ended up ordering the following: Brussel Sprouts, Patatas Bravas, Chicken Pintxos, Beef Empanadas, Croquetas, Grilled Steak, and the Paella Mariscos.

I asked Danielle "Is that enough you think?" ... "Oh that is PLAH-EN-TY!" she responded with a big smile that expressed playful doubt in our ability to finish all of this.

I took a little disrespect at the notion that we couldn't finish this, as when you from where I'm from, you always serve back a clean plate. I'M FROM MANHATTAN BEACH! My date eats like a rabbit though, so I had my work cut out for me.

The plates came to the table decently spaced out, and honestly everything was fantastic minus the beef empanadas. Danielle even tried to hint at me not to get those, but my ego was too big. I got chin checked. Everyone needs a good chin check once in a while though.

The highlight of the meal was, of course, the Chicken Pinxtos. Danielle is NOT playing with these recs!! I also need to shout out the Patatas Bravas and the Paella, both elite dishes in presentation, portion size, and flavor.

After putting my budding love interest in the backpack and carrying us to clean plates all around, Danielle came over and gave us our props. Game respects game. However, since I was as stuffed as a Thanksgiving Turkey, I had no room to get the olive oil cake that I was so looking forward to when I saw it on the menu.

After reading other reviews. My FOMO is ineffable. I am crushed I didn't get to try this olive oil cake. Guess I will just have to come back...will need to check if Danielle recommends it though.

THANK YOU BARTHELONA!!!!

IG...