Joanet (revisited)

joanet

April 22nd, 2012

Weak and hungover after the Expo yesterday, I went out to meet my Betty Ford friends, for a very late lunch. We went to Joanet, an old favourite, that I’ve blogged before and definitely one of the best places for lunch in Barcelona. We had a hilarious time recounting all the daft things that had happened last night.

alcachofas fritas

Nookie ordered some alcachofas fritas (sliced fried artichokes) for the table. I’d never had these before – they are deliciously crispy and very easy to make.

mejillónes a la marinera

For my starter I had mejillónes a la marinera (moules marinière) – a perfect, traditional dish of mussels.

espárragos a la plancha

Nookie, sitting on my left had some delicious espárragos a la plancha (asparagus cooked on a griddle) – I know, she kindly let me try one. It’s asparagus season now and so much better when eaten as fresh as possible – buy this from the famers’ market and not a supermarket, where it will be older and lacking flavour. This will also cook similarly well on a barbecue.

conejo con allioli

For my main course I had conejo con allioli (rabbit with allioli). Wild rabbit cooked on a griddle or barbecue is delicious with allioli and fried potatoes. Britain is overrun with rabbits and the wild ones taste terrific – try to avoid farmed rabbit, it may be large but it doesn’t have the taste.

alcachofas

Nookie once again had some delicious looking food – peeled and boiled artichoke hearts – she offered to let me try them, but it seemed like I had a lot more on my plate than she did, so I politely declined.

crema catalana

For pudding I had Crema Catalana – the Joanet version is one of my favourites and is flavoured with lemon, orange zest and cinnamon.

I drank the house red wine, which is served cold and in a Grolsch bottle. You can’t beat Joanet for value, especially on a week day when the menu costs 10.50 €. Don’t go here at night – it’s lunchtime only.

Joanet is at: Plaça de Sant Agusti Vell, 6 , 08003, Barcelona

Other Joanet visits