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Site Visitor Review: Cal Pep Restaurant

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Paul at the counter of Cal Pep's seafood restaurant in Barcelona
Paul at the counter of Cal Pep's seafood restaurant in Barcelona
Restaurant name: Cal Pep
Placa del Olles, 8 Barcelona.

Reviewer's Name: Paul Yates
from England, UK
Review Submitted: 22 January 2006

Restaurant type: Spanish / Seafood.
Restaurant rating: Superb
Service: Excellent
Price: (€30.00 - €50.00)
Ambiance: Lively in the front and a little more quiet and cozy in the small back room.

Site Visitor Review of Cal Pep Restaurant

Side Dish break with tomatoe and olive oil
Side Dish break with tomatoe and olive oil
The Cal Pep restaurant just has to be top of the list for me. Sit at the counter and just order from the dishes in front of you (just point if your Spanish is as good as mine!) or maybe try some of the house specialities?

Most things are served in small amounts and in the typical Spanish way everyone tucks in.

I can heartily recommend the Pimientos de Pedron (green chillies) if you want a spicy appetizer, the deep fried artichoke hearts are pretty good, but the best memory for me was the tartare de Atun (raw Tuna terrine served with toasts).

Paul's recommendation - Tartare de Atun at Cal Pep's Restaurant
Paul's recommendation - Tartare de Atun at Cal Pep's Restaurant
Pep is the owner and head chef. Clearly he's well respected by the locals by the way this place is packed out every night. You'll recognise him by the embroidered 'Pep' on the back of his overalls (at the neck) and his less than fashionable spectacles.

There's always good healthy banter with the clientele. The front bar is a counter service, just wait for a seat (take a beer to pass the time) and watch the locals and the frantic service.

The back room is amazing, extremely small (only half a dozen tables) and the most amazing mezzanine where all the wine is stashed. Watch the wine waiter risk life and limb climbing a comical little ladder to get your bottle!

tip Cal Pep opens on Mondays 19:30 - 23:30, Tuesdays to Fridays 13:00 - 15:45 then opens again at 19:30 - 23:30, Saturdays at 13:15 - 15:45 and I guarantee there'll be a queue after 21:00 (Monday to Friday). You can reserve a table in the back room but there must be a minimum of 4 people. The only other option is to turn up and wait.

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