Barcelona restaurant menus

[Karen2005]

I've posted this in Travel, but thought I'd try here as well.

I'm going to Barcelona for the first time next week and was considering ordering this book from amazon (Marling Menu Master for Spain):

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0912818042/qid% 3D1142944446/026-6751781-3070049 />
However, I realise that in Barcelona the main language spoken is Catalan, and wondered if it would be a waste of money to take the book? I don't want to eat in touristy restaurants all the time (which usually have English translations), but wondered if menus are generally written in Catalan or in Spanish? I want to be able to be slightly adventurous, without worrying that I might eat something I hate! I don't speak Spanish (or Catalan!), but do understand written French.

[spudqueen]

Hi Karen, I was in Barcelona last week for a couple of days and the restaurants we ate in did tend to have an English translation. These were restaurants down the side streets, not particularly touristy. We found that most places had at least one member of staff who spoke some English and in our guide books there were some translations of food dishes ( I had the AA Spiral guide) so unless you were going for a long time I wouldn't bother with the book.

[nickmo]

List of Spanish cookery terms here that may be worth taking http://www.fell-walker.co.uk/espania.htm#glossary

List here of some of the restaurants so you can get a idea of whats available: http://www.barceloca.com/data-165/en-GB/Restaurants-barcelona.aspx with links to reviews and descriptions

And as you are going to the area, if you want the eating experience of a lifetime, go to El Bulli, in the village of Roses, north of Barcelona. 'Best restaurant in the world' title, Gastronomic meal of 27 courses costs about �100 plus wine, and would be the most extraordinary experience to tell everyone about for a long time after you get back. You do have to apply for a table - and the kitchens close for 6 months while they think up new concepts of food, but if you want to try to get in, it would be an amazing evening.

[Karen2005]

Thanks for your answers. The list of spanish cookery terms will be particularly useful to take. I'll try to avoid the "tortilla de sacromonte" (sheeps brain omelette), but the piperade (sweet pepper omelette) might be quite nice!

That restaurant sounds amazing, but I'm not sure if the budget will stretch that far : (

[nickmo]

Hi karen2005 - hope the list helps - just jealous of you having the churros for breakfast - everyday with masses of hot chocolate. If you don't have them, you haven't been to Spain......and then the tapas trails, (expect to eat after 10 at night by the way). Check which bars look busy - if one is quiet, its likely their tapas hasn't the reputation of the better ones.

If you area bit of a foody, there are some other excellent restaurants in Barcelona, but as above, the side street places are as good as many of the main places.

Have a nice break..