I haven't been to Barcelona in about a year I want to say so my friends and I were beyond confused trying to find it. Bartaco had taken over the space in front. Barcelona's entrance is a little side path way next to bartaco completely hidden from the street. Strange way to remodel? CT currently is in a crazy heat wave. My girlfriends and I decided to grab a cold drink around 8PM with it being 90 degrees outside at this time. MY GOD was it HOTTTT inside! It was so hot we would of rather just sat outside! I felt horrible for the servers that had to run around in long sleeves. We didn't stay longer than an hour to just finish a drink and get out of there.
We asked why the air was on low or just wasn't on at all and the server stated this is how it is every summer and this was the worse one of them all. :/  with the heat wave. Seriously ever single summer it feels like  H E double hockey sticks in that place?? Jeez. With the remodeling they have continuously kept up with you would think a light bulb would come up and have someone re-do the air vents or something. Ughh.. Will not be back anytime this summer  unless I just got out of the gym and wish to sit in the sauna to help my muscles relax. Ill see you again in the winter Barcelona.
Really this place is 4.5 stars. The service is so good and their knowledge of wine is VAST to say the least. They know how to pair everything perfectly for your meal. The food is amazing and small plates leave me full of glee as always. Their mussels el diablo is some of the best around. I also love their cheese selection. This is always a delightful treat for my husband and I. We always dream of going back for more..and then we do! :)
Review Source:Went to Barcelona on a Saturday night with 3 of my friends. I would recommend making reservations, it was packed.
We shared a whole bunch of plates, which is the way to go. Everything was absolutely delicious! We figured odds were at least one plate wouldn't be great...but boy were we wrong. There wasn't one thing we didn't like! I can't remember everything we had, but the highlights were:
-Beets with walnuts and gorgonzola
-Seafood ceviche
-Pork belly and eggs ("bacon" and eggs)
-Steak with black truffle sauce (yummm wish I could put this sauce on everything!)
-Foie gras
-Chorizo w/ figs
The service was excellent as well. Definitely going back.
Ever since I started going to Barcelona years ago it has always been amazing. There food has never been anything but spectacular, and every time you go their they have a different menu to choose from. Even though I do look forward to some of the dishes and then they are gone I love being able to try a little bit of everything always having something new to try. They also have great wine and drink specials especially the blood orange margaritas are to die for! Making a reservation is many times a must due to a high volume of people but it is definitely worth the wait!
Review Source:We come back here b/c they change their menu up a lot, but I'm still sticking to 3 stars. Â BUT with that said, we do come back right...so it's at least worth a shot. Â ;)
Still a hit or miss...which is why the 3 stars sticks, b/c I really don't like paying for food I don't enjoy while I'm a-okay with paying for food that is awesome. Â Since I get both ends of the scale every time I'm here, this is our go to place in W. Hartford if we're not in the mood for anything else.
Good news is it's tapas...so you can try multiple things and you'll more than likely find something you like!
A group of girlfriends invited me to eat on the Barcelona Patio. Â We ordered a bunch of small plates and all shared. Â The food was absolutely wonderful! Â I enjoyed having the opportunity to try so many different meals. Â The servers were attentive, knowledgeable and friendly.
Loved the whipped sheep cheese and the halibut!
I enjoyed Barcelona so much that I brought my family there two nights later.
Barcelona is one of the sexiest restaurants in West Hartford. Â It's the perfect place to bring a date or lover or dine with friends. Â There's something very intimate about sharing a bunch of small plates. Â It is the perfect opportunity to try a variety of different dishes.
Friday was the first time I'd been back since they renovated. Â I loved the decor and ambience before but it did seem like more space was needed. Â Now it's even better than ever. Â We arrived sometime between 6 and 7pm and got a table in the outdoor dining area. Â One of our two waiters brought over a menu and it did not take me long to select the Aviator (Ransom Old Tom Gin, Liqueur de Violettes, Luxardo Maraschino, Lemon Juice) Â as my beverage of choice.
Shortly after we placed our order we were brought a complimentary watermelon, cucumber, and feta salad from the kitchen. Â It was light, summery, and refreshing. Â The official start of summer isn't for about another week but summer started for me that night in my mouth with the first bite of that salad. Â
We also shared the spicy eggplant caponata, the kale salad with toasted hazelnuts, grilled hanger steak with black truffle vinaigrette, pork belly a la plancha with mustard, and 12-hour braised short ribs.  For dessert - churros with a chocolate sauce for dipping.  Everything was terrific  My favorites of the night were the multidimensional flavors of the caponata, the tender and flavorful short rib, and the crispy and soft churros, but honestly, I loved it all. Â
My dining companion commented that the kale salad tasted "healthy, in a good way" - the acidity of the balsamic drizzle was nice against the butteriness of toasted hazelnuts.  The pork belly would have been too dry without the wet of the mustard, but together it was good.  The hanger steak was  an ideal medium rare and the black truffle vinaigrette had a smokey complexity that added depth to the dish.  We also enjoyed using the warm, crusty, delicious bread as a vehicle to sop up the sauce from the eggplant caponata.
We had a great time here and I look forward to coming back.
Chef Alex' creativity transcends what you expect at a spanish joint, his understanding of italian and south american (heavily influenced by Spain) reflects the food he puts up at Barcelona, his passion not only for food but also for education and science on a "geeky" level brings out the best of his talent as a chef!, amazing experiences every time i walk thru the doors, the Jeréz selection is a delight.... Friendly service and knowledgeable staff, oh that guy Sergio.... Fantastic server when he touched your table he makes you feel like you are eating at his home's dining room.
Review Source:Food was excellent, service not as much. We arrived at the restaurant and were told it would be about a 30 minute wait and to have a drink at the bar while we waited, so we went to the bar for a drink. After an hour, we checked back in with the hostess as to how much longer the wait would be, to find that our name had been crossed off the list to be seated. They told us they'd check with a manager to see what they could do. After another 20 minutes we checked back in with the hostess and she told us again they'd check with the manager. While speaking with the hostess another restaurant guest (who had already been seated) came to the hostess to ask if they were going to be served. They'd been seated over a half hour ago and nobody had come to their table yet. Hearing that and already having been tossed around a bit, we told the hostess to forget it, we didn't want a table anymore. We returned to the bar to finish the drinks we had previously ordered and the bartender having heard our story took phenomenal care of us, bringing us tapas and dessert on the house, plus creating us cocktails that paired well with our food. The food was exceelent, but the dining room service left a lot to be desired. If you visit here I'd recommend by-passing the dining room and enjoying your meal at the bar - much better service!!
Review Source:Barcelona being one of of my favorite cities, and Spanish tapas one of my newly favorite cuisines types, I already was predisposed to liking Barcelona. I had some reservations -- it's a bit of chain. But my hesitations soon dissipated upon entering the very trendy and beautiful restaurant space. I was warmly greeted, and my server (actually a team of servers) were perfectly attentive throughout my meal. The wine list was extensive with Spanish wines, and the tapas options reminded me so much of the wonderful food at St. Catherine's Market in Barcelona. I chose the sauteed shrimp, the hanger steak and the meat balls in marinara. All were excellent, but I enjoyed the garlic shrimp, served in a small black skillet, the best. Most portions were reasonable but tapas size, though the fried calamari appeared to be the largest portion of any tapas plate that I observed during my experience.
I loved the crowd, the atmosphere, the vibe, and the food -- If I'm in Hartford, Norwalk or Atlanta again, I definitely will return.
One star for good (not great) service. Â One star for okay food.
Our table of ~8 ordered a bunch of dishes, and I can't say I was particularly wowed by any of them. Â A couple of the dishes we ordered included:
Chorizo + Sweet-Sour Figs - Chorizo tasted dry. Â Figs were all sweet and no sour. Blood sugar definitely spiked.
Caldo Gallego - Chorizo tasted dry. Â Potatoes were good.
Tuna Tartare - No flavor
Calamari - Batter had no flavor. Â Felt like I was just eating a glob of fried stuff for no reason.
Apple Crisp - Good combination with the vanilla ice cream.
Always a delicious and fun time at Barcelona. Â Our waiter the last few times was really enthusiastic about the food, which is always nice!
Watch out for the unpeeled shrimp with the heads still on -- not for me, or anyone.... my fault on ordering it though, everything else was super good but I can't really remember the names of most stuff -- the lobster dish that comes in a skillet is really good... the chicken empanadas with avocado puree are a must try, but my two favorite things are the goat cheese greens salad (goat cheese is fried in little balls) and the hangar steak. Â Next time I go, I will combine the two for my meal! Can't wait!
Interestingly, they offer 7 oz beers for $3 -- the Allagash White was my favorite!
If you go at night to party, you will see some very fine young ladies ;) Â Can get super duper crowded though...probably my favorite spot to eat or drink in WeHa
Would eat here all the time if I was rich...
BLOOD ORANGE MARGARITA OR DIE!!!
I recently went to Barcelona with my mom and her boyfriend and the food was amazing. Our waitress was extremely knowledgable and friendly and gave us great recommendations on what to try.
The atmosphere was fun and it was packed! I had a great time and would recommend anyone to go there
Great spot for a late night get together or a mid day lunch.
The atmosphere seems upscale but it also feels casual once you dine in. The bar is a great place to sit at and get some tapas and drinks. The bartenders are friendly and so are the waiters.
Food: All their foods mostly tapas portioned. You get a plate here and there and make a meal out of it. Very tasty for the most part.
I HIGHLY recommend the Brussels Sprouts. OMG. I hate Brussels Sprouts but I have never had them like this. They fry it up in oil like 3 times I think and add garlic and pickled onions and OMGGGGGGG. Amazing. Simply amazing. When I go with my friends, we usually end up getting like 4 or 5 of them.... So amazing.
I also like the chicken empanadas and their chocolate lava cake. Very rich and moist and delicious.
They have a pretty large drinks menu (mocktails included). My friends love most of their wines and their summer cocktails are yummy too.
On weekend nights, Barcelona turns into a bar with very loud club music and a live DJ. People definitely find it a great place to dance and party up a bit. I do like the usual atmosphere with the trendy decor and high seats and tables. It's a good place to just hangout.
Love, love, love! I have been to Barcelona twice and the two times I have come here the food was to my expectations. The second time we went it was six of us. We order 10-15 tapas dishes and every sigle one was excellent, from the seafood to the vegetarian dishes to the beef we had. Everything especially the seafood was to die for. The ambience is also very, very pleasant. Â Very classy, cozy and romantic feel to it if you sit in the smaller room. I will be coming back here again. This has become one of my favorite restaurants to dine in.
Review Source:1.) Just to warm you up:
I have been going to this place for about 5 years now and loved everything about it. I made a lot of friends here, and ate a lot of great tapas. Even though there are places that live up or exceed this standard, I still love going here. It's almost like the show "Cheers" and everyone calls me Norm.
*I know you want to sing the jingle to that song*
2.) What your eyes may see:
Rustic. Classy. Cozy. Just the looks of this place gives you that feel.
3.) Food:
I have tried only their tapas. From Quail egg to duck egg over french fries, to Hangar Steak, to Mahi Mahi, to Portuguese Mussels, Clams, Pork Belly, Grilled Brussell Sprouts over bacon bits drizzled in Olive Oil, to Octopus. I have tried a lot of things from their menu, along with their red wine such as Malbec, Syrah, and a few others.
4.) Service:
Once again, by default, the bartenders and waiters are close to me, so I can't comment on them.
5.) Extra info:
The night life is always fun there. It once went from "Martini and Wine drink in a glass" comfortable" to "Hands over bottle of beer" uncomfortable. Either way, the music is good, the energy is good, and the overall time is good. Well, I'll be honest, since the first time I went there it was a bit stuffy, aka, the people were too pretentious. But if you come in there with a group of people who you feel comfortable with, or, you could be like me, go in there by yourself and " just don't give a ......." then stuff like that won't bother you as much as long as the libations are flowing.
6.) Impressions:
I need to check their other locations. I am a frequent traveler of Spain, so I respect what these guys are trying to do for this business.
After living in Spain for 6 months, I have not been able to find good, authentic Spanish food in the U.S. I was delighted to discover that the food and ambiance of Barcelona is incredibly authentic. I would even venture to say that they make many of their versions of classic Spanish tapas, such as patatas bravas and calamares, are even better than what you'll find in Spain!
We went on a Saturday night when there was live music playing. It was a very lively and fun atmosphere, although rather noisy. The service was excellent.
I'm looking forward to dining at Barcelona again!
Tapas.. fancy small plates. Â They do this well. Â You can order grilles sunflower root, pork belly drizzled in maple syrup and the traditional fare you would expect.
Our servers did "OK" but they got confused and cleared the table of our dishes before all our food was delivered. Â They hastily reset the table, and did so nicely.
The loft.
That is all I can say...(well, maybe not). This place is amazing! A Connecticut gem, (located in a few leafy suburbs), Barcelona is not to be missed when dinning in the Center.
Their Charcuterie plates are amazing and change frequently. The staff is very knowledgeable and always suggest the right item for those indecisive guests.
BUT, if you have a large party, I would suggest asking for the Loft (or reserve it). It is perfect if you all want to talk and not be amongst the noise and music downstairs.
My first experience at Barcelona was with a bigger group for a work Christmas dinner. There was a total of about 10 of us, and they accommodated us really well. We sat on the "patio" which was covered with heaters, some of the females in the group got cold a few times throughout the night, but it was not too bad. This area was actually better because it was quieter than the main section which gave us the opportunity to interact well.
I am a fan of the Tapas concept to begin with so I was really looking forward to this experience. Overall, it was exceptional. We ordered nearly everything on the menu, and all of the food was well made, came out quick, and everybody was full at the end of the night. My favorite two items were the Herbed Goat-cheese and mushrooms, and the Hanger Steak. Everything else was great as well, but those two were really good. At about 11 pm, the place was filled to the brim with good music and most of us stayed for a drink. It is a bit crowded, but overall, very solid!
Hello again, Barcelona!
It's been WAY too long since I went here. But after the renovations, we decided to give this another chance. In a previous visit, it seemed too crowded, and expensive, or something. Can't really remember why we stopped going, but after a recent visit, we're adding this back in the rotation.
The key with this place is to go with people. A bunch of people with diverse tastes (4 is a good minimum). Â Because you're going to want to try a lot of tapas. That's the best way to enjoy this place. Â And with a pitcher of Sangria too while you're at it.
The space (which you now access via Farmington Avenue -- no parking lot entrance anymore) is freshened up with much warmer space before. Plus its bigger, which is good because at 9p on Friday, it was happening. Â Space looks completely different with the new entrance. Â
Standout tapas for us were the Lobster Risotto, Beef Empanadas, and the Meat/Cheese plate. Â But really, you can't go wrong with nearly everything on the menu. We got about 11 things total which worked out great. And the price with drinks worked about to about $35-40 a person. Not bad at all.
Welcome back to the WeHa restaurant scene Barcelona.
To start, my wife and I are big fans of the tapas concept in general. Â Fits my personal nature to want to try everything vs. committing to one item (why I like my craft beer in sampler packs for example). Â You get to choose a bunch of small plates and share amongst the group. Â Fun times!
Funny thing is, we didn't even know this place existed...Had a free Saturday night in September and just decided to hit West Hartford for a nice dinner on a lark. Â I don't even think we intended to eat here as we were drawn into the vibe from Bar Taco, thought we were heading there and went through the wrong door. Â (Barcelona all the way to the back btw).
That being said, very happy we stumbled on this place. Â After 20-25 minute wait (place was jamming all night long), we were treated to a wonderful server who was fun and made spot on recommendations on cheeses, meats, and other fun menu items. Â My wife fell in love with particular bottle of wine that apparently is only sourced to Barcelona and wanted to come back when they offer 1/2 price bottles to get some more (a Malbec I believe).
I am not a fan of either mushrooms or brussel sprouts...After this meal, I am still not a huge fan of mushrooms, but the platter was good! Â And the fried brussel sprouts? I never knew I could love a brussel sprout (and actually have tried to mimic at home now...who knew?)
You need to go in knowing that you're going to have to buy 2-3 dishes per person making a meal roughly $20 - $30 pp overall. Â Not a cheap date, but worth the price in my opinion. Â Five stars!
I've been visiting Barcelona regularly for the past five years and it took me this long to write a review.
First, let me start off by saying the staff is amazing and always goes out of their way to make sure your happy. Â The atmosphere is fun, upbeat, can be a little loud on weekends but that's a great vibe to have if you want to hang out and not be in a pushy bar scene.
Secondly, and mostly. The food. Out of this world! The tapas are to die for, you have to try the pork belly with quail egg. It's so yummy! I also love their potato tortilla and their papaya is yum yum!!
They have the best Riesling around and I love their bartender Anna! You have to come here more than once because there is so many great things to try you can never try them all...
I really like Barcelona because of the atmosphere and food, but be prepared to  wait a considerable amount of time to be sat whether you have a reservation or not. The last two times I visited for dinner (with a reservation), I have waited over thirty minutes to be sat. Space is pretty tight so you'll most likely be accidentally violated by a stranger passing by while waiting for your table (joking, I just love my personal space). This place is always packed, because it's good, and the hostesses have always been pleasant and apologetic so whatever, I'll get over it.
The crowd seems to be mostly mid-late twenties to early thirties. There are plenty of interesting tapas to try and if you don't like wine - there's a creative cocktail list. Try the summer sling (must like bitters)! The pork tenderloin, garlic bulbs, duck fat potatoes, hanger steak and filet mignon are all very good. You'll be able to feel yourself get a little fatter with each bite but the crepes are delicious. The cucumber watermelon salad however is a little disappointing. Whoever put it together got a little overenthusiastic with the feta and neglected the cucumber bit. That however is the only disappointing dish I've encountered at Barcelona so I can forgive it.
If you can't get a parking spot in the lot in front of the restaurant, there's a cheap parking garage right around the corner.
Barcelona, you win. Though my last trip was only average, both the food and service were outstanding this time around. We started with a flatbread that featured basil pesto, garden peas, and goat cheese. It was phenomenal. Ridiculous. Outrageous. Drop whatever you're doing (unless you happen to be fighting a fire or performing open heart surgery) and go order it.
We also ordered chorizo with sweet and sour figs, which had a nice flavor, but the meat was just a little dry. The hangar steak was cooked perfectly and had a nice crust, and the sauteed shrimp in butter were delicious as well. Even the complementary bread at Barcelona is fantastic, and is served with a nice olive oil.
The service was absolutely top-notch. Our water glasses were promptly refilled, and the pacing was excellent, which is important where tapas are involved. Our primary waiter was cheerful and very friendly, and the experience was great from start to finish.
I recently organized a 30th birthday party for a good friend and we decided to go to Barcelona as they were very accommodating for a large party (it ended up being 14 of us) and I couldn't be more pleased with the food, the service and Barcelona as a whole.
First of all this is a great place for a large party. They will do a party menu where you don't order, they just keep bringing small plates of things to try. Not everything was a hit (no one seemed to like the watermelon salad... it had feta that just overpowered the dish), but most things were fantastic. The chorizo and figs, hanger steak, calamari, mushrooms and tuna tartare were all wonderful but I will say the biggest raves seemed to come from the mussels. It's not cheap, but worth it for a nice event and makes the whole thing so much more social as everyone is sharing the food and talking about it, plus it was so easy. No ordering or even thinking involved, great food just kept coming till we told them we were full. They also offered to keep a budget in mind when doing the party menu as well so they didn't go over a certain amount.
Also I cannot say enough good things about the staff. I actually called them afterwards to thank them for the amazing service because it was just that great. So often with a large group the wait staff at many places has a tendency to be annoyed that you are there. The main waiter who took care of us was amazing. He was so helpful, fun and made the whole event a joy. All the other waiters who brought out food were just as friendly and fun to be around.
I have had people call me after the party and rave about Barcelona as the perfect location for the event and how they cannot wait to go back. I really cannot say enough good things about it. I cannot wait to go back.
My husband and I come back here quite often because the food is very delicious, but every single time we dine here there is something wrong. Â I want desperately to give this place 5 stars because of the food, but I can't. Â
One time we ordered a pork dish and half of it was delicious, the other half was rancid. Â One time a friend and I ordered a glass of champagne after dinner and the waiter came back with a half full glass and apologized that they were out, but we wouldn't get charged full price for the half full glass- what do you know, when we got the bill we were charged full price anyway (it got reversed later). Â The last time friends and I showed up later on a Friday night and they didn't have any bread. Â But our waiter neglected to tell us when we ordered our food (a friend got mussels that had a sauce that you would want to dip the bread into).
While there are problems, we keep coming back because the food is great. Â Recently I went on a Thursday night when they have "Market Night." Â It is a secret 4-course dinner (1 course is dessert) made out of fresh items the restaurant received that day. Â I have now gone twice and it has been excellent. Â You can tell the waiter if you have any allergies or dislikes, but it is fun to be surprised with your next course.
Note:  the restaurant  turns into a early 20s nightclub with loud music around 11pm on Friday nights.
Barcelona is more of a scene than a good place to eat. Â The food is good, but it's not great. Â Several times I've been there and they are out of multiple items on the menu. Â Even at lunch, on a day that isn't busy, they just won't make risotto that day or will be out of something. Â It's annoying to sit down and decide you want something only to find they didn't feel like making it that day. Â And when this happens, they aren't apologetic, they have this snobby attitude because of the scene factor I guess.
The food is okay. Â They have a DJ later in the evening, but it's mostly filled with douchey bros with lots of gel in their hair and tans. Â I guess Hartford has a lot of the insurance douchey bro crowd (I'm sure you're not all like that) but they really do seem to congregate here. Â they do have a nice bar though and plenty of space.
I wish they spent a little more time on having the menu ingredients and on their food and less time on the DJ selection. Â Oh well.
Well, it took a 5:15 arrival time to be seated for a meal here on a Saturday. It turned out to be a great time to arrive. Since meals at Barcelona are often constructed out of multiple courses, it was a pleasure to arrive early, eat slow, and leave pleasantly full several hours later.
That said, I'd definitely take to heart any stories you see on Yelp about very long wait times and overcrowding. This could have been a very different review if we arrived after 6:30 PM. We've done so before, and verily chortled at the wait times, then promptly sought dinner elsewhere.
But, since we caught the early train to Barcelona Station, we indeed had a five-star experience. The only tapa I wasn't particularly keen on was the Sorpresada Chorizo spreadable sausage. It was fine by all means, but it just kinda tasted like buffalo hot sauce to me, relegating it to the "nothing special" department in my book.
But other than that minor, minor flub, every other dish we ordered was absolutely top notch. The short ribs, expensive but very worth it. The serrano ham and sheep's milk cheese... que bueno. Local mushrooms, arugula salad, Even the freakin' bread was superb.
And dare I say - a good VALUE believe it or not?! Two of us had a filling meal and a bottle of red wine, and the total came to $64. Dessert was free because of my girlfriend's birthday. Considering this is a restaurant designed for douchebags, located in the heart of Douchebag Central in the nation's douchebaggiest state, I'd call that an excellent deal.
I'd bet you could have a great meal under $50 too... There's plenty of inexpensive tapas on the menu, and a fair number of wine choices in the $20-30 range... their wine list as a whole is perhaps the biggest in West Hartford.
Word.
Came here with a very large group, approx 14 by the time everybody showed up. Servers were on point all evening, keeping up with the constant tapas orders and never-ending pitchers of blood orange margarita.
A tip, ask them to make the 'rita with agave nectar instead of simple syrup, you won't regret the outcome. Delicious.
As other reviewers have mentioned, the place becomes a bit Jersey Shore around 10pm. My advice is to go for an early happy hour to avoid the guaranteed weekend crowd.
Food was delicious. Would have been a 4-star review on the food, but the service/experience was a disaster. It was my first time to this location but I've been to (and reviewed) Barcelona in New Haven. It was total amateur hour in West Hartford.
30 minute wait turned into 1:15 minute wait.
Server knew nothing about the menu and treated us like children. Â I had a few ladies in the party, and he poured on the douchebag fratboy heavily.
Did not get two small plates ordered amidst 25 or so for a party of 6 (both potato dishes, ironically).
Server didn't inform us that they were out of Iberico ham, he just decided not to bring it and then apologized when I asked where it was 30 minutes later..
Restaurant turned into a techno house party at 10 (and they cleared out the dining room while we had our plates down on the table to do it).
In my search for tapas, I won't be coming back here.
Oh Barcelona...I have beer goggles for Barcelona.
A fun time if it's the 3rd stop on my tour de West Hartford center. But sober me just isn't a big fan. The setup of the bar makes it almost impossible to get a drink when busy but the music is always good.
Have heard good things about the food and planning to check it out soon
Ah, the elusive Barcelona of West Hartford.
It took a lap around the entire building in order to find the door, and I came so close to walking into what looked like the janitors entrance in the back, being the first door I saw that said Barcelona over top in fancy writing. Â The clutter of mop buckets and other fun items told me no - keep walking. Â Upon finding the actual entrance, I became part of the exclusive society aware of this location and immediately felt immensely more important. Â
The bartender was nice and worked with me to choose the ideal glass of wine to start the evening. Â The tapas selection was interesting and had its moments, but left a bit to be desired. Â My hopes and desires ignited in the heat of the sun and then crashed down to earth upon tasting the duckfat home fries, as they were just oily and tasted little like what I expected. Â But, the peppers stuffed with succulent braised ox tail hit the spot, and the sauteed spring onions were fresh and savory. Â Our water-providing server (assistant?) was a fun guy who I wouldn't have minded him sticking around to chat even longer. Â Overall, a little pricey for such small portions, but considering the faux-exclusivity and the trendiness factor, there are no surprises.
Ohh, Barcelona--it was love at first bite.
It would be an understatement to say that I've been dying to come here. To my excitement, I was out of work on time and able to join Tom in a dinner celebration for his friend's surprise birthday dinner. Kudos to his lovely wife on the great choice! The restaurant was beyond packed when we arrived and it stayed that way throughout the night, with people crowded around the bar, no doubt indulging in the famous sangria or the Spanish wines. I myself enjoyed a glass of wine, although I couldn't tell you which one it was! The ambiance is perfect for spending time with friends--from the dark wooden decor with modern artistic accents to the music coursing through the place.
After we were all settled into our table, the hard decisions began--what to order, what to try? Tom and I settled on five of the tapas plates to share--Duckfat potatoes, Chorizo with sweet and sour figs, Gambas al ajillo, Chicken empanadas and  Hangar steak--ohh my goodness, all so good. I couldn't pick a favorite dish if I tried! We also got to try bites from our friends dishes, such as the Papas Bravas, and warm crusty bread was brought to the table with dishes of olive oil. Self-control is definitely a necessity when dining here because I think we all could have just kept ordering dishes all night long.
With a meal like this, how could you not order dessert? I went with the Crepas Salguero--heavenly, light and artfully prepared (however, I did have a bite of the Warm chocolate hazelnut indulgence and was immediately jealous!).
I would eat here all the time if it was possible--and with locations in Stamford, Greenwich, Fairfield, New Haven, SoNo and even one it Atlanta (that's for you, Jason), I'll be hard-pressed to stay away. I cannot recommend a place more highly than this one--from the amazing drinks, fantastic food and attentive service, you cannot go wrong.
Barcelona New Haven is one of my favorite restaurants in New Haven. Their tapas, ambiance and service are as good as it gets! I had never visited the West Hartford location and was skeptical about its ability to live up to my dining experience in New Haven.
Not only was Barcelona West Hartford excellent but dare I say I actually preferred dining here. This location is more charming in terms of the ambiance itself but because it is not located in a college town the patrons are more of an eclectic mix of people.
I will certainly return again and again and again if for no other reason than to gorge myself on quite possibly the best beef empanadas ever made!
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