An Unexpected Encounter
A work colleague has been recommending me to visit the Clota neighborhood in Horta-Guinardó for some time, where there is a small bar that offers breakfast and menus that, according to him, I would like. After weeks of not finding the moment, today I finally decide to approach the neighborhood and the place in question to find out what they have to offer. I park right in front of the Raconet de la Clota and, despite being in the middle of the city, it seems as if I have entered a small town inside Barcelona.
History and Atmosphere
In talking to the owner, Cinta Herreros, I discover that the place is relatively new, since it was opened six years ago. Cinta rented the bar when the former owner, who had lived upstairs in the house since time immemorial, sold the property. Although the bar already existed under the name El Rincón, it remained closed since 2018. So, while I enjoy the breakfast prepared by Cinta, she tells me the wonders of the neighborhood, highlighting its quiet atmosphere and the fact that all the neighbors know each other. Construction workers in the area and other neighbors also tend to make headway. The neighborhood is known for its unpaved alleys, stately homes and orchards that are delightful at this time of year.
Gastronomic Offer
The Raconet de la Clota is lucky to have the Horta market next door, where it buys most of the products used in the bar. La Cinta offers breakfast, snacks and lunches, and the place is open from Monday to Friday, closing on Saturdays and opening on Sundays, when the neighborhood is filled with walkers walking the old road from Horta to Sant Genís. Dishes that can be enjoyed include fried eggs, smoked bacon, fries, beef tripe, meatballs with cuttlefish, croquettes, bravas and a wide variety of sandwiches.
A Welcoming Community
While enjoying breakfast, I can observe how the people of the neighborhood gather at the Raconet de la Clota as if it were the neighborhood’s social headquarters. In short, it’s a curious place with a welcoming atmosphere, where you can enjoy a different terrace, moving a little away from the urban atmosphere of Barcelona.
