Cal Pep, Barcelona

A seafood place in Bareclona – but can it swim against the tide of tourist traps and mediocrity?

What’s The Restaurant? Cal Pep, in Barcelona’s El Born area.

What’s It All About, JG? It’s a seafood restaurant. Remarkable, I hear you cry. But yes, it is indeed remarkable. It’s been in business in the El Born region of Barcelona for over forty years, during which time it’s reputation has grown and grown until it’s reached it’s current level. That level being “extremely high”.

Now let’s be honest, seafood places aren’t exactly something Barcelona is hurting for – there’s about a bajillion of them. But with a city like Barcelona, the key is to get away from all the tourist traps that lurk around La Rambla and similar areas and find something that’s actually able to provide amazing food. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a “for locals only” place or whatever – something too many food writers try to put too much emphasis on in order to come across as “superior” and knowledgeable – it just needs to have good quality food that doesn’t fall into tourist levels of mediocrity.

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Dans le Noir

A top London restaurant and a unique concept – but can the food live up to the memorable approach to serving it?

What’s The Restaurant? Dans le Noir

What’s It All About, JG? Lots of restaurants tell you that they have something different to offer. Lots of restaurants make a big play about how they’re not like any other. Dans le Noir is the rare exception where this might actually be true. Situated in Clerkenwell, London, the restaurant itself claims to offer a unique dining experience, and it absolutely does – because you dine in pitch darkness.

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