Is it the place where Joel Robuchon got inspired? Just kidding! Tapaç 24 (Disputacio 269 , tel. 93-488-0977, Barcelona) opened much later than Robuchon's L'Ateliers in NY and Paris. And it might be opposite, as Tapaç 24 was opened in 2006 by a Spanish "star chef" Carles Abellan.
When i entered this crowded tiny place, i did feel like in Robuchon's L'Atelier in Paris (somehow the only "tapas bar" i've ever known) , plus much more people,lots of smoke of cigarettes and everybody spoke in Spanish. Most of the clients were Spanish -despite of its central location which usually tends to be very touristy.It is always a good sign. And the food was very authentic. Real Spanish tapas with slight touch of creativity. Mainly tapas, but also mini paellas with langoustines or eggs dishes...
I don't speak Spanish and there was no menu in English, so in the beginning i was a little lost and even was planning to take everything on the tapas menu! Its good though that i asked the waiter at the bar to choose for me. Jamon was obligatory , but I also wanted something typical from the place.
So he offered me the hot panini style tapas with ham , cheese and black truffles, then the small paella with langoustines and then , to finish, a tapas size plate of jamon Iberico... Excellent paninis , divine Bellota ham and "correct" paella. For the dessert i had this very creamy and very fat ,but very delicious millefeulle, which perfectly finished my Spanish siesta...
