Order the Catalan Express if you're here for lunch, it includes a first course and second course, plus soft drink or iced tea for $18. This is a great deal considering that the priciest second course, Tuna, is already $17.
Our waitress was great and she gave us a very thorough rundown of the menu to begin our meal. The busboy though, was completely clueless, mixing up dishes between tables and amongst diners at our table.
I had the Ensalada Verde to start, mixed greens with asparagus, avocado, green beans and shaved mahon cheese. Very good, although there was maybe just a touch too much vinaigrette. It overpowered even the cheese.
Everyone else started with the Arroz a la Cazuela, a saffron scented broth with shrimp, chicken chorizo, artichoke confit and piquillo aioli. The crostini with aioli was a hit, and the soup was well-received, although quite salty. Everyone was surprised by the generous size of the shrimp.
Two of us had the Atun con apio-nabo, yellowfin tuna, smoke pine nuts, celery root and basil-emulsion. Very light flavors, wonderfully presented. Our tuna was lightly grilled, though it could have been even rarer. The celery root was the highlight of this dish.
The Black Angus Hanger Steak and Mercat Burger were both prepared well. The burger had a very unique La Peral cheese sauce that was very light, padron peppers and red wine onion jam. The hanger steak was accompanied by potato croquette, and beech mushroom escabeche. Iron Chef Jose Garces really personalizes each offering on the menu.
For dessert we had the signature Croquetas de Xocolata - milk chocolate croquettes, banana marshmallow, rosemary caramel, and arbequina olive oil. Again, a very unique dessert, unlike anything I have ever tasted. I am not crazy about it because I don't generally like fried food and I much prefer dark to milk chocolate, but I can appreciate the combination of flavors in this sweet dish.
Pros: Catalan Express lunch
Cons: Bumbling busboy
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