Robert Serna i Mundet, a lifelong resident of El Raval, operates Cal Robert, a popular restaurant in the neighbourhood. It serves traditional Catalan cuisine and actively supports local community initiatives since opening in 2014.
Serna, a self-taught chef, opened Cal Robert on Carrer Requesens when he was just 22 years old. The establishment initially functioned more as a bar than a full-service restaurant.
Eight years ago, with David joining the kitchen, Cal Robert solidified its focus on traditional Catalan dishes. The restaurant also incorporates some Spanish culinary influences, offering a unique blend of flavours.
Authentic Catalan Flavours
The menu at Cal Robert features both fixed items and seasonal specials, ensuring a varied dining experience. Guests can enjoy starters such as black sausage parcels and calçot croquettes, which are ideal for sharing. Main courses include comforting dishes like tripe and meatballs, alongside more refined options such as monkfish tail Donostia style. For dessert, the restaurant offers cream mille-feuille, lemon meringue tartlet, and cheesecake. Marc manages the dining room, completing the small, efficient team. The average meal costs around 35 euros per person.
Local Wines and Products
Robert Serna emphasises a commitment to local wines, which are carefully selected for quality and value. "We only work with local wines, and none exceed nineteen euros," Serna stated. "It makes no sense to spend twenty euros on food and order a seventy-euro wine. We seek wines with a good quality-price ratio to offer them at a reasonable price." The restaurant sources high-quality olive oil from Nalec, a small village in Urgell, which is Serna's father-in-law's hometown. Serna also offers local wines and cured meats from the same region during breakfast service.
Community Engagement in El Raval
Cal Robert extends beyond a typical restaurant, serving as a vital community hub within El Raval. It actively collaborates with neighbourhood associations and local non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Notably, the restaurant supports Pallapupas, a well-known hospital clown organisation that brings joy to patients. It has also become an unofficial gathering spot for the Taller de Músics, a prominent music school in Barcelona. The restaurant attracts a diverse clientele, primarily from the nearby Sant Antoni and Eixample districts. This reflects the evolving demographics of El Raval itself, which is increasingly diverse.
A Neighbourhood Gem
Serna expresses deep affection for El Raval, a vibrant and diverse area often misunderstood. He acknowledges that the neighbourhood frequently faces misconceptions and is sometimes overlooked. Cal Robert exemplifies the area's rich character and the excellence of Catalan cuisine, inviting visitors to explore the heart of the city. Cal Robert continues to highlight the cultural diversity of Barcelona's residents and the robust health of Catalonia's culinary traditions.
Come and join our Barcelona English Speakers community on WhatsApp.
Originally published by Ara Cat. Read original article.
