BARCELONA (updated Feb. 11, 2010)

Bar Mut
Bar Mut has an ineffably Gallic feel, with its etched glass, bronze fittings, chanteuses on the sound system, and Paris prices. The tapas are undeniably superior, however: try everything from a carpaccio of scallops and sea urchin to fried eggs with foie. Come early in the morning for breakfast dishes such as haricot beans with wild mushrooms and morcilla or poached egg with chips and chorizo sauce. In a word? Formidable.
C/Pau Claris 192 Telephone 93 217 43 38

Can Sole
Portly, jovial waiters have been charming moneyed regulars for over a hundred years at Can Solé. Over time, many of these diners have added to the framed photos, sketches and paintings that line the sky-blue walls. What continues to lure them is the freshest shellfish (share a plate of chipirones in onion and garlic, Cantabrian anchovies or red shrimp to start) and fillets of wild turbot, lobster stews and sticky paellas and a bouillabaisse to die for! Beware the steeply priced extras (coffee, cover).
C/Sant Carles 4, 93 221 50 12

Cinq Sentits
Talented chef Jordi Artal shows respect for the classics (flat coca bread with foie gras and crispy leeks, duck magret with apple), while adding a personal touch in dishes such as a Palamós prawn in ajoblanco (garlic soup) with cherries and an ice-cream made from their stones. To finish, save room for the artisanal Catalan cheeses or the ‘false egg’ with white chocolate around a passionfruit yolk. Thus far overlooked by the Michelin men, this is one of the more affordable of the city’s top-end dining destinations.
C/Aribau 58 Telephone 93 323 94 90

Hisop
Run by two young, enthusiastic and talented chefs, Hisop aims to bring serious dining to the non-expense-account masses by keeping its prices on the low side and its service approachable. The €52 tasting menu is a popular choice among diners with dishes that vary according to the season, but often includes their rich ‘monkfish royale’ (served with its liver, a cocoa-based sauce and tiny pearls of saffron) and a pistachio soufflé with Kaffir lime ice-cream and rocket ’soup’.
Passatge Marimon 9, Sant Gervasi, Telephone 93 241 32 33

La Vinateria del Call
An atmospheric little bar, with a high priority on the sourcing of its wine, hams and cheeses, and excellent home-made dishes, including a delicious fig ice-cream. Despite the antique fittings and dusty bottles, the staff – like the music they play – are young and lively, and some speak English.
C/Sant Domènec del Call 9, 93 302 60 92

Sureny
A well-kept gastronomic secret, Sureny boasts superb gourmet tapas and waiters who know what they’re about. In addition to the usual run-of-the-mill tortilla ‘n’ calamares fare, look out for dishes such as tuna marinated in ginger and soy sauce, partridge, venison and other game when in season, and a sublime duck foie with redcurrant sauce.
Plaça de la Revolució 17, 93 213 75 56

Tapaç24
Tapaç24 is an old-school bar, serving traditional tapas of excellent quality. Among the oxtail stews, fried prawns and cod croquettes, however, fans of Carles Abellan will also find playful snacks more in keeping with his previous style. The McFoie Burger is an exercise in fast-food heaven, as is the Bikini – a small version of his signature take on the ham and cheese toastie, only this one comes with truffle.
C/Diputació 269, 93 488 09 77

MADRID Updated Feb. 1, 2010

Modern:
Le Dragon, Gil de Santibanez 2, tel. 0034 914356669
La Broche, Calle de Miguel Angel 29, tel 0034 913993437 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              0034 913993437      end_of_the_skype_highlighting (Sergio Arola’s restaurant)
Balzac, Moreto 7, tel. 0034 914200613
Zaranda, San benardino 13, 0034 915412026, [creative]
BARS
Bar Cock, C/de Reina 16
Olsen, c/Prado 15, Famous Vodka bar
Ohm, Plaza Callao 4
CLUBS
Sala Stella, C/Arlabán 7. This is a must.

MILAN Updated Feb. 1, 2010

Pane e Acqua :
Via Bandello 14
Telephone 02 4819 8622
Antica Trattoria della Pesa :
Viale Pasubio 10
Telephone 02 655 5741
Tano passami l’Olio
Via Villoresi 16
Telephone 02 839 4139
Sadler (the best)
Ristorante Sadler
Via Conchetta , 14 (Via Troilo)
(39) 02 581 04 451
Dolce & Gabbana Gold
Via Carlo Poerio 2/A
02 7577771
Paper Moon
(via Bagutta 1)
00 39 02 7602 2297

ROME Updated Feb. 1, 2010

Atelier Canova Tadolini
Via del Babuino, 150 A/B
+39 0632110702
Ristorante Dal Bolognese
½ Piazza del Popolo, Rome, 187
+39 063611426
Freni e Frizioni (modern and fresh)
Via del Politeama 4-6
Telephone 06 5833 4210
La Gatta Mangiona (best pizza- hard to find…)
Via Ozanam 30,
Telephone 06 534 6702
La Pergola (only 3* Michelin!)
Via Cadlolo 101,
Telephone 06 3509 2154
Sora Margherita
Piazza delle Cinque Scole 30
Telephone 06 687 4216
Tuttifrutti
Via Luca della Robbia 3A
Telephone 06 575 7902
Agata e Romeo (book in advance!)
Via Carlo Alberto 45.
Telephone 06 446 6115

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