Quimet Y Quimet is the tapas bar everyone talks about when they come back from Barcelona. It’s the one everyone says, “You have to eat at Quimet & Quimet. It’s so good!”
Quimet Y Quimet is a family owned tapas bar hidden away in a small side street off a major boulevard. The restaurant is everything you imagine or envision a tapas bar to be with its decor consisting wine bottles along the wall and simple wood finish. The lively Spaniards enjoying endless glasses of wine while ordering another tapa before their siesta. It’s a restaurant and lifestyle that could persuade any American caught in the rat race to pack their bags and leave the capitalism behind. Quimet Y Quimet Barcelona
In between the raucous, the father and daughter duo prepare their dishes while informing tourists not to leave their phones on the table if they don’t want it stolen. Quimet Y Quimet had no obstruction to the street with its open doors and the breeze flowed easily through the restaurant as I devoured tapas after tapas. My child-like curiosity got the best of me and I started to order more items than I could finish.
Now, la comida. Quimet Y Quimet is an ideal restaurant for any pescartarian with its seafood heavy menu, which ranges from mussels, prawns, uni, salmon to caviar. After browsing the menu, I decided on the following for my first meal in Barcelona:
- Cod Croquettes – The fluffy croquette and slightly crispy batter was delicious. The soft texture with bits of flaky cod was a nice starter to start with wine or beer. The only complaint thing I didn’t like was the croquette could have been hotter as it came out warm.
Cod Croquettes - Stuff Baby Squid – The stuff baby squid had a very oceanic flavor to it. It was drizzled with olive oil to round out the dish. The firm texture of the squid made it gamey but it wasn’t my favorite tapa at Quimet Y Quimet.
Stuff Baby Squid - Tuna Belly w/ Sea Urchin – The fully cooked tuna topped with uni laid on tomatoes and open baguette. The tuna had a meaty taste to it while the uni provided a silky texture. The tangy tomatoes and crunchy baguette rounded out the open sandwich. It was good dish to have with some white wine.
Tuna Belly w/ Sea Urchin - Quail – The fully cooked quail half was accompanied with some pickled vegetables. The tender white meat with the sour vegetables were flavorful. The pâté spread was rich and acted as a spread on the bread.
Quail - Iberian Pork Cheek – The pork cheek was accompanied with some baby carrots and chips. The tender pork cheek was great and tore apart easily; the chips were the perfect complement to it. It was a balance of crispy and tender. It was definitely my favorite tapa at Quimet Y Quimet.
Iberian Pork Cheek
As I paid the bill, I reached for my phone to make sure it was still with me and to check my itinerary for the day. The daughter waved good-bye and flash me a sweet smile wishing me well. I still remember walking down the street and making my way to an empty table at Quimet Y Quimet. The lively crowd with flowing wine and seafood eccentric menu still haunts me like the scar Barcelona has left on my palate. Quimet Y Quimet is the owner of part of the scar.
- Service - 8/108/10
- Presentation - 7/107/10
- Flavors - 7.5/107.5/10
- Decor - 7/107/10
- Ambiance - 7.5/107.5/10
Summary
Quimet Y Quimet is the tapas bar everyone talks about when they come back from Barcelona. Quimet Y Quimet is a family owned tapas bar hidden away in a small side street off a major boulevard. Quimet Y Quimet is an ideal restaurant for any pescartarian with its seafood heavy menu. Quimet Y Quimet is definitely one of the tapas bars to visit while in Barcelona.
