Barcelona - La Dama
Winter 07/08
Frank's view 
' classic Barcelona '
In keeping with the outstanding architecture of Barcelona, La Dama is housed in a building designed by Sayrach. Gaudi, Barcelona’s most famous visionary, was inspired by animals, so perhaps it is no coincidence that the grand entrance seems inspired by the inside of Jonah’s whale. The structure is wrapped around the hall like a whale’s rib cage, filled with glittering Catalunyian tiles and artifacts.
La Dama is very much an old school restaurant. The traditionally clad and well mannered waiters take their business very seriously, but have a wonderfully happy and friendly demeanour.
La Dama opens at 8.30pm and so, when we arrived, just after 9pm the restaurant was still quiet. The Maitre d’ offered us our choice of table which was much appreciated, particularly as a few regulars arrived slightly later. It was good not to be shoved in the corner by the loos, a fate too often inflicted on restaurant newcomers. The tables are all large, round and well spaced. There were five tables in the main dining room, an area which arguably could accommodate twice the covers. The rear dining room had several smaller rectangular tables set for two.
Despite being formal, the ambience was not stuffy. In England, restaurants such as these demand a jacket and tie. One diner at La Dama arrived wearing a bright pink sweater.
The menu touched on Italian with some interesting pasta dishes. Being the Truffle Season, La Dama also offered its own Truffle menu.
The 7 course degustation menu was 94 Euros, the 6 course version 72 Euros.
Going a la carte, I ordered the sea urchin gratin, which was unusual and served in prickly, scooped out sea urchin shells.
The pheasant with apple was excellent, as were the sole fillets in a saffron sauce with rice.
We opted for a bottle of Marques de Vargas (Reserva Privada) 2000 at 78 euros, but other very good wines were on the list at around 40 euros.
La Dama is a fine example of a well established and respected Catalunyian restaurant. If you are looking for a restaurant for a romantic dinner for two, or a business dining venue, this one succeeds on both fronts.
La Dama
Av Diagonal 423
08036 Barcelona
+34 93 202 06 86
http://www.ladama-restaurant.com/
Be Frank: agree or disagree? What do you think?
