Ocaña is a stylish spot on Barcelona’s popular Plaça Reial that stands out from the copious bars and restaurants for its opulent design and cool branding.
The multi-purpose venue is a tribute to daring performance artist Jose Perez Ocaña who lived on the palm tree-lined square and was known for his flamboyant appearance and flower-filled balcony. The interiors evoke the faded glamour of an old theatre with worn red velvet seating, chandeliers and red roses on each table.
On the hot summer’s day that we visited, most people were simply enjoying beers and a few tapas on the terrace, however Ocaña also comprises a gastronomic restaurant, apotheke cocktail bar and a late-night club space. We managed to walk in and grab a table at the front of the restaurant overlooking the terrace.
The menu focuses on ‘urban tapas’ and larger plates, with the dishes printed on creative screen-printed newspapers. Our Iced Teas (€3.50) were brought swiftly and we ordered a small selection of tapas to graze on.
Acorn-fed Ham Croquettes (€5) were crispy and golden, filled with a creamy cheese and garlic sauce punctuated with flaky, flavoursome ham.
Potato and Onion Omelette with Spicy Chorizo (€5.50) was generously sized (big enough for two to share) and packed full of layered potato, onion and chorizo, which was surprisingly very mild. Like most tortilla in Barcelona, it was served cold and topped with smoked paprika, fresh chives and a sprinkling of sea salt.
Lemon Chicken Skewers with Olives (€6.50) featured two plump skewers of succulent chicken thigh, well-marinated in preserved lemon, olives and spices. They were accompanied by tasty home-made fries, making it quite a substantial tapa dish.
Patatas Bravas (€4.80) were delicious and comforting with freshly-fried potatoes smothered in aioli and olive oil. Once again, they weren’t spicy, but still moreish and full of flavour.
The dessert menu is quite simple, so we moved on for a long walk around El Born, taking in the lively atmosphere on the streets for Catalonia Day.
Ocaña is great for a chilled out evening meal or starting a night out in the busy centre of Barcelona. Given the concept and the design, I’d expected it to feel a bit more quirky and found the atmosphere a little subdued (perhaps because it was a bank holiday).
However, service is fine and generally quick, so if you don’t fancy queuing for Les Quinze Nits on the other side of the square, Ocaña is worth a visit.
For more information and booking, visit: www.ocana.cat
All photos by Chérie City
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