Tickets, Barcelona

Among many of the excellent tapas restaurants in the city of Barcelona, Tickets stands out as quite possibly one of the best, and definitely the most 'out there' of the choices available. Owned by the world renowned Adria brothers (of El Bulli fame), it's really no surprise that it isn't the easiest place to get a reservation for. 3 months prior to our meal, an alarm was set for midnight and my wonderful Mum awoke to book our table - needless to say, when she woke up the following morning the tables for the evening we wanted had all been taken. It isn't a simple system being in the Spanish language and completely online, however it was a formality we were willing to do in order to secure our place in this unique eatery.

Exterior of Tickets

Tickets is not your typical Spanish style restaurant, and is more (as the name suggests) a theatrical experience with a carnival vibe. It is bright and colourful, and has an open plan layout consisting of two areas for dining . If you come as a couple you may be lucky enough to be seated within a bar seat which gives you front row views for watching the kitchen hard at work, however there are plenty of larger tables with equally good views - especially if you're lucky enough to see Albert Adria (the younger of the two brothers) at work.

Tweezers for eating

The menu is full of intriguing and creative dishes, too many to choose from really, which is why we asked our waitress to send out dishes she thought we would like - a tasting menu of sorts. She mentioned that she would keep bringing out their best loved options and if we wanted to stop or add extras we should just let her know. The only cutlery provided are tweezers (pictured above) which was great fun, and also unique, we couldn't wait for the experience to begin.

Infused Peach

The first dish to come out was, to our surprise, cold and sweet. It was peach infused with ginger ale, rum, white sangria, mint and chili (and quite potentially other bits and pieces too!)...it was incredibly complex but exploded with flavour, and left a delicious chili kick on your tongue afterwards which complimented the sweet boozy fruit perfectly.

Jamon Iberico and Coppa

Three dishes came out together next, plain and simple classic dishes, of pan con tomate (a traditional Catalan dish of bread rubbed with garlic and tomato), anchovies and two types of ham, the wonderful Spanish jamon iberico and a lesser known Italian coppa. Both were absolutely delicious especially alongside the tomato bread and salty anchovies.

Pan con Tomate

Cantabrian anchovies

The next dish was saffron octopus crisps. Of all of the dishes to come out this was my least favourite purely because in my opinion it didn't leave me wanting more, however that doesn't mean it was bad by any means. The rice crisps were cleverly made to look like tentacles and packed with a smoky paprika punch.

Saffron Octopus

To follow was the dish I had been looking forward to since I heard about getting out reservation here. It is the famous El Bulli olives, which look like an olive but couldn't be further from the truth. They explode with intense olive flavour when you bite into the squidgy outer layer - I have absolutely no idea how on earth it's done, but I imagine it is extremely difficult, and well worth the wait.

The Tickets olive-S

Next was a very pretty dish called Mini Airbags, and these came filled with manchego cheese foam and were topped with Parmesan. Being a cheese lover these were absolutely delicious, a perfect crispy treat and I could have gobbled up the entire plate full. Worth mentioning is that the plates often do not come easily split between four people. I felt this was unfortunate but we managed just fine, and it is to be expected as so many of the plates seem unique to each dish.

Mini Airbags

To follow was quail egg with its nest. This was a stunning dish, almost looked too good to eat, but I was so happy I did. It was delightful, I love quail eggs and these were cooked perfectly, runny in the middle and topped with wasabi which complimented the egg extremely well.

Next was one of my favourite dishes, foie gras in pickled sauce (which was a tribute the Luculo restaurant, 1986). It was so luxurious, it tasted divine and the earthy foie gras went so well with the piccalilli inspired sauce.

Quail egg with its nest

 

Foie Gras in pickled sauce

The next dish came out and it was a tomato salad, but it wasn't just any typical salad, I have no idea how they did it but it was the best tomatoes I have ever tasted. It came served with a clear jelly too which tasted just like gazpacho. Tomato, basil and pepper are a fail safe combination and this dish proved it with style and elegance - my mum loved it, and she usually hates tomatoes!

Tomato Salad with gazpacho jelly

Avocado crushed with mint and spicy tuna.

To follow was tuna tartare with avocado - and again, these classic flavour combinations worked so well together. It was a surprisingly large portion too, and shared between the four of us we made light work to scrape the bowl totally clean.

Razor Clams

Next came a razor clam each and we were told to eat the side with the lemon foam first and then to slide to the opposite side which was plain with black garlic. I used to work in a fish restaurant, and I have to say I was never a fan of razor clams - but these were lovely, and very tender. I personally preferred the garlic to the lemon air but both complimented the fish very well. 

Smoked fish market with mini shitakes

The fish here was mackerel and it was served as carpaccio with the mushrooms and light soy sauce dressing. This dish was divine, absolutely perfect flavour combinations and served warm which was nice after the past few dishes being chilled.

To continue on with the fishy courses the next to arrive was mussels with chili and tomato sauce. These were scrummy. The sauce was similar to an intense bouillabaisse and went with the mussels - served elegantly inside their shells, brilliantly.

Mussels

Crusted sea bass with mojo sauce

The next dish to arrive was just like a posh fish finger! Flaky sea bass was coated in the crispy batter and served with dots of intensely smokey mojo sauce. I was concerned that the sauce would be too spicy and too overpowering which it often can be, but it was lovely, and not hot at all which was a pleasant surprise to all of my family!

Surf and Turf

The first of the dishes with meat then arrived and it was Ticket's interpretation of surf and turf, with the 'surf' being baby squid and the 'turf' element homemade Iberian sausages. This was served with sauteed beans and a rich sauce which was full of chargrilled, BBQ flavour.

Confit potatoes and cured ham

The penultimate dish on the tasting menu was confit potatoes, and again that delicious Spanish ham with smoked paprika and pork rib jus. This was rich and meaty - similar in flavour to Ham and Chips, but far more luxurious. I was also starting to feel quite full so I was pretty happy when our waitress said one more main to go and then we could sample some of their sweet treats.

Mollete with double chin

This dish was another stand out one for me, the bread was so soft and sweet, made by steaming leaving it so fluffy it went so well with the pancetta and tender pig jowls. To finish the dish off mustard was added and it was grilled until warm. This was the perfect end to the savoury courses, if I could have a life time supply of these I don't think I would ever be depressed!

Mint marshmallows

To start off the desserts an aloe vera plant was bought to our table with mini marshmallow worms stuck onto it. These were light and airy, and had a distinct mint flavour which I loved - plus, the presentation was so cute and inventive.

To follow two beautiful desserts were bought out, one was raspberry meringue filled with vanilla ice cream and the other a lemon dessert with lemon granita, vanilla brioche, basil, lemon ice cream and honey.



Raspberry Meringues

Lemon ice cream

My favourite of the two desserts was definitely the lemon; citrus is always an excellent way to finish a meal, and this was no exception. This was especially excellent as the lemon halves housed the sweet surprise of honey in the bottom so if you got a good spoonful there was the creaminess of the vanilla and the sweet brioche and honey which really complimented the sharp lemon flavour.

Chocolate biscuit with ice cream

No meal would be complete without a chocolatey dish to finish off with and this was a great one! Made from a crisp chocolate cookie, with chocolate and orange mousse, chocolate ice cream and orange peel it reminded me of a great big bowl of coco pops...and I love coco pops!

This meal was an absolute treat. It really pushes the boundaries of your senses, and encourages you to not only use your creativity but appreciate that fine dining doesn't have to be fussy or pretentious. With regards to the price, I thought it was extremely good value. We also had a bottle of wine, plenty of beer and a cocktail and it was around 70 euros a head. The service was excellent, and each dish was explained in great detail and in perfect English.

Old spice tin for our bill

We had some excellent food on our Birthday trip to Barcelona but Tickets stands out as one of the most unique eating experiences I've ever had. If you want to experience tapas like no other I really recommend Tickets restaurant, you will not be disappointed, even if you have not had the chance to book 3 months in advance, there is space in the restaurant on a first come first served basis so arrive before it is due to open in the evening and hopefully you will get seated!

http://www.ticketsbar.es/web/en/#