Five special fixed-price weekend menus in Barcelona

Those who prefer to know from minute one how much they will pay for their meal, with no surprises on the bill, are in luck in Barcelona. This winter, several fixed-price menus stand out for their quality and are perfect for weekend lunches. They work equally well for couples, families, or groups of friends. We propose five infallible options, in three restaurants in the city.

Tracatrá's thematic super-menus

The restaurant that a few years ago created the formula of good tapas and Mediterranean cuisine with entertainment inspired by Catalan rumba (later shamelessly copied) is called Tracatrá and is located two steps from Plaça de Catalunya. In addition to an appetizing menu, which fills the place at night, they offer three fixed menu proposals for lunchtime of the weekends, with which they attract local clientele. It's not easy to decide on one. All of them must be for at least two people.

The most urgent to try should be the Calçotada menu, because the season will end in March. Thanks to the Josper oven, they prepare delicious calçots with romesco that, pay attention, are served unlimited. For a fixed price of 40 euros they also include their tapa of marinated olives, country bread with alioli and homemade ham croquettes. After the first 'round' comes the meat: botifarra, organic chicken (boneless), acorn-fed Iberian pluma and lamb ribs, delicious. There is an option to change the grilled meat for Tracatrá rice. The feast is topped off with Catalan cream, and the combo includes water and a porron of red wine, to feel like you're in a farmhouse, but right in the center of Barcelona.

The meal, in addition, is enlivened with some rumba musical performance. Another good option for carnivores is the Chuletón menu. It consists of Barbastro Salad with tuna belly, onion and Kalamata olives; Iberian ham croquette; Padrón peppers; and the Tracatrá Bomb, which lives up to its name. Then comes the half-kilo Ribeye (boneless) for two, served sliced for easier eating, with Ratte potatoes, peppers and demi-glace. The meat is tender and delicious, and the staff provides the doneness each diner requires. The feast ends with Cheesecake or Torrija, to choose from. For 49 euros per person, with a glass of wine or another drink.

Finally, also on weekends from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, they have the Paella menu, by 40 euros per person. It starts with olives, the rustic bread from their bakery (a temptation that must be rationed to be able to cover the repertoire thoroughly) with dill butter and Maldon salt; continues with Lettuce hearts salad, pickled anchovy and fig vinaigrette; and Tempura eggplants with cane honey. To finally reach the rice dishes. You can choose the Seafood one (with squid, Mediterranean red shrimp and mussels), the Mountain one (with Iberian ribs cooked at low temperature and snow peas) or the Veggie one (with grilled vegetables). Also with a drink. And as a grand finale, Homemade flan with cream or Catalan cream.

Rda. de Sant Pere, 7, 08010 Barcelona T936 29 18 67

Arrel's winter brunch (Hotel InterContinental)

Again, Arrel, the street-level restaurant of the InterContinental Hotel (near Plaza de España and Montjuïc), programs its spectacular winter and early spring brunch on some Sundays. The next ones will be March 1, March 15, April 12, and April 19.

The good thing is that they offer a single service, so that customers can enjoy the feast without rush and without limit. It includes so many options that it is advisable to focus and select well before starting to eat, if you want to arrive with appetite for the final 'showcooking'.

To start there is a wide buffet with Iberian ham with oil coca, local cheeses, nuts, Mediterranean smoked beef steak tartare, Amélie oysters, cooked prawns, artisan cookies, croissant rolls, pancakes, and organic km 0 breads and jams. They also incorporate theSeasonal glasses, to be able to try mini-doses of hummus, Russian salad, crudités, burrata with tomato, beet tartare and more.

Another essential in every brunch, the eggs, are served in this case at the table, from the Benedictines with salmon or bacon, to the Poached with puree and black sausage, among others. The great plan also includes a few hot dishes on buffet, such as Carbonara Gnocchi with oxtail; Fresh Butifarra; Chicken Gyozas and Monkfish and Prawn Romescada.

The main dishes in 'showcooking', prepared on the spot and continuously replenished, include Mushroom Risotto in a Parmesan wheel; Glazed Veal Gigot; Creamy Veal and Pancetta Bao; Veal Loin with Café de Paris sauce (almost addictive) and Wild Sea Bass in salt (undoubtedly the best dish of the banquet, for its quality, freshness and presentation).

During the meal, waiters serve on demand –included in the price– glasses of cava, white and red wine, juices and water, teas and coffees. But for many, the highlight comes with the desserts, with a large table overflowing with cakes, pastries, truffles, churros, torrijas, macarons, puddings, fresh cut fruit, and much more to choose from. Don't miss the cannoli.

The meal is enlivened with live musical performances, and it is common to see tables with family groups celebrating a special occasion. The gastronomic festival costs 75 euros adults and 45 children (up to 6 years free).

Av. de Rius i Taulet, 1-3, 08004  934 26 22 23

Swiss fondue at the top of The One hotel

The One Barcelona hotel celebrates for the seventh year its Mood Swiss Fondue Experience, available daily until March 31, although it is especially lively on weekends. The essence of the proposal is to enjoy like a child the Cheeses of Switzerland, which come to life in the fondue directed by chef Miguel Muñoz. But there is much more.

Starting with its setting, the Mood Rooftop Bar, on the top floor of the hotel, with a lot of charm inside and panoramic views of the city if you opt for the terrace. In the cold months, they serve the ideal caloric repertoire to warm up the palate.

The experience can be done with set menus, such as the Fribourg (Nüsslisalat –lamb's lettuce salad, egg, bacon, and crispy bread and cheese–; 'moitié-moitié' fondue –Gruyère AOP and Vacherin Fribourgeois–; two mini apple and raisin Strudels with vanilla ice cream; and a glass of white wine per person), for 42 euros per person.

On the other hand, the Le Gruyère AOP menu (a vitello tonnato with Sbrinz cheese; a smoked salmon 'rösti' with sour cream cheese, 'moitié-moitié' fondue; two mini Toblerone mousses and a glass of white wine per person) costs 51 euros.

And the Zermatt (Nüsslisalat; cured meat platter, Tête de Moine AOP and mountain pâté; fondue of Le Gruyère AOP, Vacherin Fribourgeois and Tête de Moine AOP; alpine-style caramelized walnut tart, and a bottle of white wine for two people) voucher 64 euros.

The most sought after, for 68 euros, is the Gstaad. It includes endive and apple salad with walnuts and blue cheese; the cured meat, cheese and pâté board; Cava fondue with Le Gruyère AOP, Vacherin Fribourgeois and Tête de Moine AOP; 70% cocoa chocolate fondue, fruits and marshmallows. And a glass of cava.

However, it is also possible to eat or dine à la carte, with added dishes within the same theme. Among the winter novelties are the Spanish-Swiss Bikini with Cecina de León and Le Gruyère AOP, ideal for sharing. Among half a dozen options, the most sophisticated version is Fondue with fresh melanosporum truffle, and there is also Tomato Fondue.

There is no shortage of Onion Soup with gratinéed Vacherin cheese to warm up the cold months or main classics such as Salmon with Ticinese polenta, Iberian pork sirloin with morel sauce, or organic charcoal-grilled beef entrecôte with mountain herb butter. But those looking for an alpine immersion should also try the Potato Röstis, highlighting a version with melted cheese and fresh truffle. And whet their appetite with the famous Malakoff (cheese fritters).

Provença, 277 08037 Barcelona T: 932 14 20 70

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