Christian Escribà reopens his iconic modernist pastry shop on Barcelona’s Rambla after five challenging months of public works.

The celebrated pastry chef raised the shutters on Wednesday, December 3rd, expressing relief at being able to serve customers during the crucial Christmas campaign.

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He had kept the shop open initially during the major infrastructure works connecting the city to the sea, but eventually closed when only “dust and noise” entered. Consequently, he waited for that phase to finish, though he will need to close again in mid-January for pavement works.

Christian Escribà Reopens With Artistic Flourishes And New Treats

Despite the intermittent disruptions, Escribà has reopened with joy and several changes to the shop he acquired in 1986. One of the most visible transformations is the metal shop shutter. Furthermore, he commissioned two graffiti artists from Sitges, Roby and Berok, to create a beautiful new design. “Before, with all the graffiti, it looked like the Bronx in New York,” Escribà remarked. The strategy, he was advised, is that a full-coverage artwork deters other graffiti.

Inside, the catalogued modernist shop, one of the Rambla’s great jewels, shines brighter than ever. The mosaics have been embellished for customers to admire. The display case now features an array of pastries, including brioche, cream-filled ‘xuixos’, ‘cremadets’, Catalan cream, an assortment of individual desserts, and melted chocolate. Additionally, Christmas products like turrón, marzipan, ‘neules’, and panettone are for sale.

Escribà has also introduced a whimsical new creation: a chocolate ham. Sold wrapped like the cured meat it mimics, the €65 kit comes with toast, olive oil, salt, and a grater to shave chocolate slices onto the prepared bread. The chef was so pleased with its reception that he plans to keep it year-round. Meanwhile, the exterior terrace will return next week once his new team is fully trained.

The pastry chef is keenly aware of his responsibility as the only pastry shop in his stretch of the Rambla. Therefore, he aims to offer a high-end selection. He also plans to rekindle a relationship with the nearby Liceu opera house to provide sweets for theatre-goers. Escribà remains hopeful, citing the city’s investment in culture and its positive effect on local businesses. His reopening is a small but significant victory for a street grappling with change, much like the broader challenges Barcelona faces with tourism and urban vitality.

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