On Saturday we had supper at Gemignanos Gastrobar – a small bar restaurant in neighbouring Pineda del Mar. We discovered the place a few months ago while waiting for a table to become free at Domestic. Eduardo, the Argentinian proprietor was so charming and friendly, that we had to come back to try his steak.
We drank gin and tonics while perusing the menu – they add flavour to the drink by sprinkling on a few cardamom pods and other aromatics.
Nookie ordered Pimientos de Padrón as a starter, which we all shared, since she only wanted a couple of them.
Oli and I shared a fantastic creamy Risotto Funghi, made with boletus mushrooms and truffles. Dorian abstained, as he was saving himself for the main course.
As a main course, Nookie ordered eggs scrambled with vegetables. This was something off the menu and prepared specially by our obliging hosts.
Dorian had an excellent Risotto Milan, a creamy risotto made with Gorgonzola cheese and pear.
Both Oli and I had steak – this is what we’d come for. Eduardo cooks veal steak medium rare (on the grill) and flavours it with chimichurry. Chimichurri is a typical Argentinian sauce, used to marinate and flavour grilled meat. The word comes from the Basque tximitxurri, meaning mixed things. The main ingredients are garlic, parsley, olive oil, oregano, red pepper flakes and wine vinegar.
We drank El Supremo Malbec red wine with the steak, as suggested by our hosts.
Our meal with the gin and tonics, a beer and two bottles of wine came to about €100. The risottos cost between €6 and €10 and the steaks were €12. I thoroughly recommend Gemignanos – the food is excellent and the service is genial.
Gemignanos Gastrobar is at: Carrer de Cervantes, 2, Local 2, 08397 Pineda de Mar, Barcelona.
Since we often come here for lunch and today (22nd May 2019) was no exception, I thought I should add something on the Gemignanos’ menú del día.
Today I sat in the sun and ate a fantastic trinxat as my starter – a Catalan bubble and squeak, containing fired potato, cabbage and bacon.
My main course was peus de porc – pig trotter confit in an almond sauce, with slices of butternut squash on the side.
I had a toffee ice cream for pudding.
The weekday, 3 course menú del día costs €12 and includes wine or beer.
Hmm! I love G&Ts but take mine straight in the classical manner 🙂 ! Can grill a pretty mean steak myself and like a good chimmichuri which is very popular hereabouts . . . don’t know about using veal would prefer a more ‘mature’ offering methinks! The risottos look appetizing but scrambled eggs again belongs to my breakfast or brunch menu . . . 🙂 ! Glad you had an enjoyable meal which did not break the bank . . . oh, yes . . . do enjoy a good Malbec.
Thanks Eha!
We love a good G&T as well as cardamon, but I would never have thought of putting the two together. I must give it a try. Glorious looking meal, but the standout dish for me was the Risotto Funghi. Boletus is my favorite family of mushrooms, we forage for Boletus edulis (Karljohan) here. IMHO, it’s one of the best mushrooms around for a risotto.
Thanks Ron – those risottos are pretty special. I suspect Eduardo and or his wife might have some Italian ancestry.
Even the restaurant name is Italian…definitely some ancestry there! Fantastic meal, great price too 😀
I thought that too – I must ask the next time we go back! They are such lovely people, so it won’t be long… Thanks for the confirmation.
Oh, you do live well!
Thanks Michelle!
Even after experiencing the prices in Spain myself last fall, I still can’t get over how reasonable dining is in Spain. Your meal starting from the pimientos de padrón, the risotto and the steaks all sound like a wonderful meal.
Thanks Karen – the prices at lunchtime are incredibly cheap, but even in the evenings everything is comparably reasonable!