Elegant desk setting at La Dama with glassware and plates)
La Dama is a restaurant readers at all times requested me about.
“Have you ever been?” “Is it value it?”
The reply: “No, I haven’t, however I’ve heard good issues.”
The why between me and also you is that it at all times appeared like an important day vacation spot, type of place you would possibly suggest in. My life, in the meantime, bumbled alongside in matches and begins, and that big day by no means fairly introduced itself. Till in the future, my buddy Isabelle, one of many best-known freelance writers in Barcelona, introduced me with three selections for lunch as her +1. I honed in on La Dama and immediately pinged her: “This one!”
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A peek behind the scenes at La Dama — house-made breads and quiet corners set the tone earlier than service begins.
The Elusive Door on Diagonal
On a sweltering June day, the type the place strolling a single block immediately renders your bathe null and void, I headed out. La Dama is on Diagonal; the restaurant is seen by means of the home windows, ditto the menu, however the door is elusive.
Lower to a distinguished man who materialises at my facet and inquires about my vacation spot.
“La Dama?” I say, inflecting upward as if I’m undecided I’ll go the take a look at.
I do.
Keys seem. Are they on a big medieval ring? My thoughts likes to insist they’re. He leads me to an ornate condominium door and up a panoramic stone staircase, into the restaurant through the bar.
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The famed Steak Tartar de La Dama — elegant, indulgent, and motive alone to e-book a desk.
A Chilly Embrace and a Intelligent Menu
Inside, the temperature is about to arctic; not a shred of humidity stays. The feeling of being ensconced on this dim, chilly luxurious is sufficient to go away me gushing earlier than I’ve even taken a chew.
The menu is loosely Spanish / Italian / French, with the intelligent twist of itemizing every dish in its language of origin. So Poireaux Rôtis (19€) is in French; Stracciatella alla Siciliana (19€) in Italian.
Isabelle steers us towards the classics: Steak Tartar de La Dama (27€) and Calamar Carbonara à la Sayrach (26€). And with that final one, you will have your motive to not look forward to an important day. The calamari is normal to resemble cavatappi pasta; the inherent chew of the cephalopod mimics an excellent al dente noodle. There’s cream, and guanciale, and a squid ink prime hat.
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The Grasshopper — minty, decadent, and simply the appropriate facet of retro. A candy end or a cheeky begin.
Cava, Cocktails, and a Bartender to Watch
In the meantime, Enzo, the restaurant supervisor, whose gray eyes match his gray go well with seems at intervals throughout the meal. First to go away a fluted crystal glass of cava on the desk; then a depraved Bloody Mary; and at last, a Grasshopper-style cocktail.
The bartender, Andrea, ranks among the many prime 10 in World Class Spain, although even a cocktail plebe like myself can recognise his mixology expertise.
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Primary Programs and a Deconstructed Ending
For mains, we select the Tortelli di Ricotta (29€) as a result of a spot like this can virtually actually do a superlative do-it-yourself pasta (it does) and the Agneau Grillé (34€). The lamb is ok; I’ve but to search out an institution in Barcelona that prepares lamb the way in which a Greek or Center Jap chef can.
Dessert is a form of deconstructed baklava although it’s not described that manner fairly as a pistachio cream and crisp filo. To fortify ourselves in opposition to the upcoming warmth, we order cortados with ice and cheekily tip the contents of our Grasshoppers into the glasses. Andrea, I believe we may be onto one thing right here must you want to borrow the thought.
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La Dama’s Grasshopper cocktail served in a stemmed glass, garnished and positioned beside a serviette embossed with the restaurant’s brand.
Would I Go Again? Completely.
It’s onerous to go away. Whilst our server involves bid us goodbye on the finish of her shift. Ultimately we do; the distinguished doorman reappears and provides to snap a photograph of us standing on the beautiful staircase.
And that’s it. I’m glad that after 12 years, I lastly tried this place. And sure! I believe it deserves its place within the normal consciousness of Barcelona guests.
La Dama
Avinguda Diagonal 423-425,
08036 Eixample
www.la-dama.com
instagram.com/theladama/
