This book is intended to encourage you see more of Barcelona than just the main tourist attractions, like the Rambla, the Picasso Museum and the Gaudi buildings. I want to take you to the places where locals go, from authentic tapas bars like Quimet & Quimet and El Xampanyet, to atmospheric cafes tucked away in medieval courtyards with babbling fountains. And I want to introduce you to restaurants with world-class, creative cuisine a la Ferran Adria. At least once in your life, you should experience the revolutionary culinary absurdity of lettuce with ice cream, risotto with condensed soil or a dessert that tastes like fresh tobacco.

Angelika Taschen