Milk Bar & Bistro
Gòtic

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In the spring of 2005, two Irish couples arrived from San Francisco, California to bring us "Milk Bar & Bistro". Milk offers us a modern and elegant option for the ever so lively nights of Barcelona's old town.

Located in the old La Parnasse, Milk is done up like a millionaire´s drawing room with plush sofas, flirtatious pillows, gilded lacy red picture frames, antique chandeliers and incredible wallpaper designed by 50's designer Florence Broadhurst. The patterns are evocative of the 20's. Milk has large windows, sparkling blue walls and earth-toned floors. The space has a laidback style and in a city with so many hot bars you have to do something special to stand out. Milk has certainly achieved this.

The head Chef is Ross Muggivan who hails from Ireland. Ross has created a distinctive menu which features exquisitively prepared and approachable food, served in an upscale setting. Ross combined flavours from his tenures in restaurants across the deep south of the USA and Ireland, using locally selected produce purchased daily from the famous Boqueria market on the Ramblas. The menu changes seasonally. Popular dishes such as the mouth-watering ´Milk Hamburger´ topped with the house sweet onion relish, served with wedges and Tonkatsu sauce; ´The Ultimate Caesar Salad´ which has their own homemade dressing, chapata croutons, smoked bacon, Parmesan cheese and topped with a warm poached egg and of course the ever popular ´Seafood Jumbalaya´, ensure that the food marches proudly out of the kitchen like a fine brass band.

Milk has a famous cocktail list with a legendary ´Happy Hour´ for selected cocktails from 3,50€ between 21:00 and 21:00. Staff create fabulous original concoctions with great flavours and names such as the ´Dead Elvis´ and the ´Porn Star Martini´, which is made with vodka, passion fruit liqueur and passion fruit served with a shot of champagne. Ease yourself into one of the cushy dark brown sofas and order up the ´La Leche Martini´ made with a jolt of Spanish coffee to keep you going through the night.

Milk has an incredible Brunch every every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 to 16:00. It is wise to book early as it fills-up quickly. Fabulous ´Bloody Mary's´, the healthy ´Very Berry Banana smoothie´ and of course dishes ranging from the ´Salmon Eggs Benedict´ to the ´Ultimate Omelette´ are sure to satisfy the hungriest of appetites. Expect to hear classic crooners singing in the background as you leaf through the complimentary foreign and local newspapers. It is a great start to start to anybody´s weekend.

Milk is sensational because it is still such a secret. Tucked down a narrow alley in the Barri Gòtic (Old Quarter) it is fun to seek out. Its heathy atmosphere is in keeping with the spaces' chequered past. It was once a famous absinthe bar with tarot cards being read, where the less desirable of Barcelona's nights would once gather.

Milk has a warm, professional and cosmopolitan wait staff. Locals and foreigners are waited upon attentively at the tables and even when the house is full there is always someone in attendance, since service in the philosophy underlying this bar and restaurant. The clientele pick up momentum as night descends. The crimson lighting and soothing colour tones makes everyone look hot so be sure to arrive early if you want a seat in this intimate space. The staff has also a great knowledge of Barcelona and its hidden treasures, so be sure to ask what is on offer. It is truly a great meeting place to start an unforgettable vacation in a city that is second to none.

Brazilian music, funk, soul, jazz and many more sounds can be enjoyed on any given night and you can be sure that you will be less than a step away from intoxication by ordering their most requested cocktails.

The classic and glamorous surroundings are for all to enjoy and happy hunting.

If you go for dinner, mention BarceloCa, and you´ll get a free shot as a digestive.