the best barcelona restaurants
 

Will be in Barcelona for only three days this March and as a NY foodie, am having a lot of trouble coming to grips with just where to have dinner. Too many great-sounding choices! There are no budgetary restrictions -- just looking for recommendations for terrific, different, great innovative food - maybe a chef/disciple of Ferran Adria... Help!

I hesitate to recommend restaurants to people from NY as IMO NYC has the best food in the US, but when we were in Barcelona, I very much enjoyed La Dolca Hermicia at Magdalanes 27--2 blocks towards Ramblas from Palais de la Musica. The food was delicious and the crowd young. The only reason we were able to get in without a reservation is because they have a non-smoking section (yeah!). It was very reasonably priced, so it may not be what you have in mind, but I loved it and would go back.

carlak,
Since you're a NY foodie looking for innovative cuisine, I suggest that you seek out these very catalan disseny looking, "cutting edge", highly creative places, two of which are headed by El Bulli alumni:

First 2 in trendy, SoHo like El Borne:

"Abac" (Rec 79) 1 Michelin star Minimalist decor but well space tables, fine service.
fushion cuisine.
Closed Sun and Mon. lunch

"Comerc 24"-Chef worked at El Bulli for 12 years. Very innovative Small courses, served tapas style, to make a gourmet meal.
Closed

In the Eixample:

"Alkimia" (Carrer Industria 79)
Chef Jorge Vila is said to produce the most creative dishes served in the city. Degustation menu for 38 euros. Closed Sat. lunch and Sun.

"Drolma" (Passeig de Gracia 68)- elegant, distinguished, expensive and formal restaurant of the Hotel Majestic. Chef Fernan Puig getting rave reviews. 1 Michelin star.
Small space and highly regarded so reserve well in advance. Closed Sun.

Moderate but sophisticated restaurant brought to you by the Tragaluz group,
"El Principal" on Provenca 286. Housed in a sleek and elegant 19th c townhouse. Pretty interior courtyard. Lots of style but very reasonable prices.
www.elprincipal.es

For a really great selection of inventive "raciones" (larger than tapas but meant for sharing) in a sophisticated setting, served at stylish long high tables, a relatively new venture by the owner of L'Olive, we love "Paco Meralgo Alta Taberna" in the Eixample on the corner of Muntaner and
Córsega. Draws a fashionable crowd of locals. Great for a group or for a solo diner.

Have fun!

Try www.viamichelin.com

This provides details on all restaurants, starred or otherwise that are worth trying, in addition lodging is also reviewed.

carlak,
Besides www.viamichelin.com (which unfortunately doesn't list all the great Barcelona dining), if you read a bit of Spanish, also check
http://gourmetour.ya.com/
Click on "restaurantes", then select Barcelona.
Also I'd highly recommend you spend some time on the Spain/Portugal section of the Europe forum of
www.egullet.com
That's where professional food/wine critics, like Victor Serna, cookbook authors, chefs and diehard foodies hang out. There are some terrific recommendations there for Barcelona dining.