Thanks for all the great info on this forum. I have read all the postings on Barcelona restaurants, but still need some advice. My husband and I will end our 10th anniversary trip in Barcelona on a Sunday and Monday in November and I want to treat him to a great dinner. I had settled on Cinc Sentitis based on what I had read here only to find they are closed on both the evenings we will be there. Any other suggestions? I would like to find a tasting menu with wine paired with the courses. Money is not really a concern except in value for the money spent. Thank you for your advice in advance. Joanne

How about ABAC, Rec 78-89?
I went there on my honeymoon two years ago, and it was really excellent. I think it still gets fine reviews.

Enjoy your anniversary!

I would have suggested Abac as well, but it's closed Sun/Mon.
wwww.restaurantabac.com

Also in El Born, just around the corner from the Basilicia of Santa Maria del Mar, you'll find Mey Hofmann, the restaurant and cooking school. I'm away from my files right now, but I'll check on closing days later.
www.hofmann-bcn.es

But here are 2 that we have at the very top of our short list for our upcoming holiday trip, both are new, praised in the food press and in the Eixample:

The eponymous restaurant of renowned Carlos Gaig, recently moved to the Hotel Cram, on Arago 214, corner of Aribau.
www.restaurantgaig.com

Also the 3 star Michelin chef, Martin Berasategui of San Sebastian has opened an Eixample outpost, called "Lasarte" in the Hotel Condes de Barcelona on the Passeig de Gracia.
www.condesdebarcelona.com

I'm sure one of the above will be open for one of your days and will offer a tasting menu that will be of very good value. We look for good value in our gourmet dining as well.

Happy Anniversary!

joannecam,
Restaurante Gaig is closed Sun. but open Mon. and its tasting menu costs 75 (plus wines).

Hofmann has an excellent value fixed price lunch for 31 euros, and dinner run around 60 euros p.p. It's also closed Sun. but open Mon. If you decide to dine here, request a table on the Andalusian style patio.

I was also going to suggest the foodies' most acclaimed "restaurant of the moment", Caelis, in the Hotel Palace (formerly Hotel Ritz), but it's closed both Sun. and Mon.

Thank you both for your kind and knowledgeable replies. Believe it or not, we managed to extend our trip by one day, but when I tried to make reservations at Cinc Sentits for November 7, they were not taking reservations for dates before November 16! So, back to the drawing board using your suggestions. Thanks again. Joanne

joanecam,
Since you've added Tues. to your stay, lunch or dinner at Abac (1 Michelin star) would be a possibility. And I double checked, and it appears that while closed on Sun. and Mon. lunch, it's open Mon. for dinner.

So that you'll have an idea of cost, the degustation menu is priced at 84€ plus wines. (which makes Cinc Sentitis' menu with wines a real steal!)

Caelis (1 Michelin star) in the Hotel Palace, has a lunch menu served Tues.-Fri. with choice between 2 starters, 2 main courses, dessert, wine, mineral water and coffee for only 45€.
At dinner they serve a grand tasting menu that includes 2 starters, 2 main courses, 2 cheese trays and 2 desserts for 70€.
www.caelis.com

Mey Hofmann (1 Michelin star) is closed Sun., but open Mon/Tues.

At Gaig (1 Michelin star) the degustation menu is priced at 74€

At Lasarte in the Hotel Condes de Barcelona a tasting menu should run around 70 p.p. It has space for only 35 diners, so advanced reservations are essential.

Have fun deciding!

ENHORABONA on the anniversary! That is wonderful and you have chosen a great place to celebrate. Maribel has come through with a great list of restaurants, but are you planning on doing high end tasting every day? You certainly can get away with that here, but if you want something more traditional and also nice, you could try Els Quatre Gats (off of Portal del Àngel) and lunch at la Fonda is always delightful.

As for the Cinc Sentits thing, that is strange. Did they offer you a possibility on a waiting list? It really is worth it.

I'm thrilled to have both Maribel and Laclaire respond to my questions as I have run out of ink printing your many words of wisdom regarding Barcelona on this forum. I have asked the hotel to intercede for us with Cinc Sentits (will know next week)and will use Abac as a back up for our last night which is a Tuesday. Sunday I am looking for traditional seafood like paella or black rice - any suggestions? As you know, Sunday is difficult as many places are closed. On Monday we are planning to go the tapas route as, if I had my way, my last meal on earth would be a little bit of everything! Thanks again for your kind and expert advice. Joanne

joannecam- you have a confirmed table for 2 on November 7th at 9 pm at Cinc Sentits under the name "Joanna."

Bon profit!

And happy anniversary!

laclaire,
You're the best!

Joanne,
I'll defer to laclaire's wisdom for Sunday, but I'll just throw in that I would do a late Sunday lunch paella somewhere near or on the waterfront.

These spots come to mind:
Sets Portes, which is really popular on Sun. with Barcelona families and serves continuously and has a kind of Parisian brasserie atmosphere. Piano music.
www.7portes.com

Or Suquet de l'Almirall in Barceloneta on Passeig Joan de Borbó 65. Highly recommended by Campsa.

Or Can Solé on Sant Carles 4 in Barceloneta.

I second the recommendation for Sets Portes. I went there with my friends for paella on a Sunday evening and it was wonderful. Also had some terrific grilled fish there.

Set Portes seems to be the general "place to go," but when I had a friend here, I took her to "La Camarga" (Aribau 117) and we had some delicious rice dishes (I had caldoso and I think she had paella valenciana). It is a really nice place. . . sort of the ideal lunch place for executives wooing clients, and we loved the classy, quiet atmosphere. It seems that with either one, though, you will get what you are looking to eat.

Thanks a bunch, laclaire! Finally, I have a first hand rec. for La Camarga which the concierge of the Derby Astoria recommended to me. I never got a chance to take my friends to dine there. Have put it on our list for Jan.

My husband and I just ate at 7 Portes a few weeks ago, on a Monday night, and had a terrific meal. The clientele was a bit touristy, but not in an obnoxious way... polite, upscale tourists. We had an appetizer, a decently priced bottle of wine, the shelled paella for two, a shared dessert, and two coffees, and the bill came to 75 euro. A great experience!

Thank you all so very much. I have planned many vcations, and as a result, visited many travel boards, and I can say I have never experienced such thoughtful, expert and kind attention to a question that may be very important to me, but not to the rest of the universe. And laclaire, you truly are the best. I and my husband thank you for your kindness (although he does not know it yet)! If everyone in Barcelona is half as wonderful as the people who visit this board, we will have the time of our lives. Thank you again.
Joanne Cameron

Laclaire, what an incredibly nice thing to do!

Joanne- You are very welcome and I know you are going to really enjoy the meal at Cinc Sentits. I certainly do enjoy this virtual community, but when something tangible comes out of it, it is always a pleasure.

Enjoy BCN!