Brunch at Barceloneta
Miami offers several places where you can get quite the delicious brunch but only one blends the traditional Catalan form of “Mercat” dining with a unique Catalan bistro menu. Barceloneta is brought to you by those innovative folks at Pubbelly. They even make it convenient for you to locate them as Barceloneta is located on the same street as Pubbelly! Miami has various restaurants specializing in authentic Spanish cuisine and I judge how authentic they are on their croquetas. Let’s just say that Barceloneta is in the top FIVE! So if you haven’t ventured out to the beach in a while, much less for brunch, it’s time you cross the bridge from the mainland and head over to Barceloneta soon. I promise it’s worth it! Check out the bites I can’t wait to taste again soon.
From left to right: Pa amb Tomaquet con Serrano, Croquetas, Calamares a la Romana
Pa amb Tomaquet con Serrano – rustic bread, grated tomato and garlic olive oil with Serrano ham. Normally, I think a dish like this is a slight rip off. Here’s why – I feel as if most places smear a left over tomato over some stale bread, dust some garlic powder, drench it with olive oil and plate it for you. At Barceloneta on the other hand, you actually taste pieces of tomato that are spread throughout the perfectly oiled and toasted bread with a hearty portion of Serrano ham placed on top. Thank you for finally offering a simple yet satisfying plate that is worth every penny.
Croquetas – There are only a few restaurants that provide authentic Spanish style croquetas (stay tuned for that list soon). Barceloneta has found it’s way to the top five of that list rather quickly. Any place that actually prepares a croqueta with chunks of Serrano ham, parsley, and béchamel or creamy potato, as is the case here, knows the way to my heart. These are heavenly bites of creamy goodness served with what tasted like a saffron allioli. A must order.
Calamares a la Romana – Fried calamari with squid ink allioli. I was a bit hesitant about the squid ink allioli but it really brings a creative and different flavor to a rather ordinary dish. The generous portions of calamari with the light yet delicious breading make this dish a delight with just a small squeeze of lemon or a dip of allioli.
You can’t have a brunch without some sips to wash down these tasty bites. Barceloneta offers traditional libations but these imbibes go down smooth with a slight bit of fizz courtesy of the gin and cava.
Left to Right: Londres & Not a Gin Tonic
Last but not least…
Top to Bottom: Eggs Benedict & Torrijas
Eggs Benedict – These aren’t your average eggs benedict. These are a gift from food heaven. Perfectly layered atop a potato roll (imagine the texture and taste of those delicious Hawaiian sweet rolls), pork belly (I so could have gone for more of this!), Serrano ham, hollandaise sauce and a poached organic egg. I’m sad to say I shared this dish because I totally could have eaten two portions. It was THAT good.
Torrijas – Torrijas are essentially a Spanish-style French toast sprinkled with powdered sugar, a bit of membrillo butter and a drizzle of apple maple syrup. They are a slight heart-attack on a plate but what a way to go! A bit too greasy but eat bite is so worth it. A definite must to round up your meal.
My suggestion? Grab a group of friends and head over hungry (early because they don’t take reservations!). It’s the best way to ensure you score at least a little bite of everything. Tease your taste buds, split the bill, and head back for your favorite items but after these tasty teasers, I’m sure it’ll be hard for you to pick a few favorites!