b-served Gastronomy
La Esquina, breakfast & lunch
Gourmet Simplicity
In many countries around the world breakfast is one of the main meals or the day. Not so much here in Barcelona but with La Esquina that might change. The key is in the simplicity. There are two basic offerings: gourmet Bocatas (or sandwiches) and Top salads. There are five or six different options included under each. There’s also a choice of sides and a few desserts.
However these are sandwiches and salads unlike any others; they are filling, delicious and carefully crafted to include many nuances, dressings and flavours. The portions are exceptionally generous and either the choice of sandwiches or the salads is a meal on its own. Chef Marc Pérez has provided the gourmet element to the sandwiches and the salads, with various types of bread, generous filling and seasoning each recipe with an original and homemade sauce; as well as fresh and tasty salads that can in themselves be a unique and appetizing dish.
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Featuring best sellers like the Pastrami sandwich with cheddar, pickled vegetables and herb mustard served on coca bread; an updated version of the mythical Squid sandwich with furikake dressing, crispy onion, piparras and romaine lettuce on brioche bread; the Katsu Sando, a special version of the homonymous Japanese sandwich with Tuna-belly, “La Esquina” sauce, Japanese mayonnaise and braised romaine lettuce on sliced bread; or Smoked eggplant, yakiniku sauce, yogurt with tahini and coriander on brioche.
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La Esquina could not be located in a more central location, just off Plaza Catalunya at the intersection of Bergara and Pelayo with Balmes. There’s a sun drenched terrace on the corner, with planting for shade during the summer sun. And the interior is also drenched in natural light as well thanks to the panorama windows. Inside there’s a rustic charm of large wooden tables, simple chairs and no-nonsense décor with the feelin of being inside a country kitchen.
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Among the salads, the highlight has to be the Top with fresh oak leaf lettuce, avocado, salmon, cherry tomato, crispy egg with dill and walnut vinaigrette; however the other options are also great value, filling and delicious, such as the Feta with kale, feta cheese, roasted pepper, cherry tomato, roasted apple, radishes, walnuts and raisins with honey vinaigrette. In addition, each month there’ll be La Esquina specials (a sandwich and a salad).
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The menu also has a place for the “Sides”, simple fare with a homemade touch, the perfect side order for sharing. For the bravas there are 3 sauces, the French fries with truffle dressing and Parmesan or the La Esquina ham croquettes. The result is a carefully and balanced menu with local produce.
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For the nostalgic, La Esquina maintains its 'Old Favourite' every noon, classic local dishes such as its Benedict, the Royal Eggs or the award-winning bikini with farmhouse bread with sweet ham and Gruyère cheese. The mythical breakfasts with specialty coffee and natural juices that have made La Esquina popular since it was born are also preserved. Clear examples are their avocado toast with cherries and walnuts or the corner pancakes with bacon, mascarpone and maple syrup.
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- La Esquina
- C/ Bergara, 2,
- 08002 Barcelona
- www.laesquinabarcelona.com