Happy Holidays

New Year’s Eve is a hard night to go out in any big city, and Barcelona is not an exception. I say hard because everything is twice as expensive, closed, or crowded. You need to make reservations in advance if you want to go out for New Year’s in Barcelona as restaurants, concerts and clubs sell out fast. How do most people celebrate New Year’s in Barcelona? With dinner, cava (like Champagne) and 12 grapes. If you haven’t been invited to dinner, then consider one of these fine restaurants to begin your night at:

Hotel Arts:
One of Barcelona’s top hotels offers a killer New Year’s Even diner + stay option for those who want to welcome 2012 like kings and queens. The 940€ price tag includes a Deluxe room for two on the 31st, large ‘American’ style breakfast on the 1st, and dinner for two in their Gran Saló Gaudí. The dinner is more of a party really, in that there is music and dancing, too.

MORE: http://www.hotelartsbarcelona.com/

Cava

Les Cols:

Not in Barcelona proper, but just outside the city in El Prat, this is a gourmet dining experience that is worth the splurge. For at set price of  135€, guests indulge in a unique holiday menu. Cream of potato soup, grilled turbot, steak with Spanish ham and tubers, and pineapple sorbet are all menu items. Artisan turrons and Catalan coca bread at the end of the meal mean dinner at Les Cols should be a gastronomic and cultural experience. Wine, cava and party favors are also included in the price. While it’s spendy, this would be a very special meal.

MORE: http://www.lescols.com/menus-nadal-2011.htm

Mandarin Oriental Barcelona:

This is one of the city’s chicest hotels, this is where the ‘it’ crowd will be throwing back their glasses of bubbly come the 31st. For 350€ pp or 425€ pp with wine pairing, diners will feast on a vast array of goodies. Russian caviar omelette and vodka,  foie with quince, sea cucumbers with artichokes,  shrimp tails, sea bass in mild curry and coffee sauce and melanosporum truffle are some of the foods to be served. After dinner, pop into one of the hotels bars for a nightcap, or book a room there and wake up late for their New Year’s Day Brunch!

MORE: http://www.mandarinoriental.com/barcelona/

Post and photos by Regina Winkle-Bryan. See more of her tips on Barcelona at: The Spain Scoop