A tapas restaurant in Taiwan can generally head in either of two directions; use imported ingredients and stick fastidiously to the Spanish formula, charging top dollar for authenticity, or use locally sourced produce and cater for native palates with more reasonably priced meals.
Barcelona, a newly opened tapas bar and restaurant owned and operated by Luisa Ting (
Purists may scoff at this approach, but with an all-you-can-eat lunch menu priced at NT$450 including service charge (NT$499 for dinner), and buy-one-get-one-free offers on beverages that include Fosters, Stella Artois, Carlsberg and Boddingtons on tap, as well as a la carte main dishes ranging from NT$120 to NT$200 this restaurant is a good choice for people with healthy appetites.
PHOTO COURTESY OF CHANG CHUN-HAO
Within walking distance from the Eastern District's main shopping drag, Zhongxiao East Road, Barcelona is conveniently located in a lane off Yanji Street and unlike many cramped eateries in the area is quite large, able to comfortably sit around 90 people.
From inside there is an agreeable view of an adjacent park opposite the bar. Terracotta tile flooring at the front and dark wood floorboards at the back, timber roof beams, white washed walls and simple, functional furniture lend the place a relaxed rustic atmosphere.
The service, provided by staff well experienced in the catering trade is prompt, and the proprietor is flexible, willing to keep the place open past the usual 2am closing time if patrons are still drinking.
The tapas selection at Barcelona consists of 10 dishes, such as chorizo fried with garlic and onions. Ting researched Spanish recipes and found a local producer to make the spicy, highly seasoned piquant sausages to order. Buffalo wings, lightly marinated, are served plain, an unusual departure from the standard version usually coated in a savory sauce.
The main course options are pasta, gratin, pizza and paella. Paella, one of Spain's national dishes comes in many varieties, but common to most is the use of rice, tomatoes and saffron.
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