I have visited this restaurant on three occasions and loved it. It's not your average Catalan fare, it's not the cheapest and you're unlikely to come out with your waistband uncomfortably tight. However, if you want something special, out of the ordinary, with an exciting combination of flavours......read on!
FOOD! I first visited this restaurant in 2004 and had to return because I had the best starter I had ever had ( this accolade has now been won by a restaurant in Seville, but that's another review!) It was a Russian Salad, but worlds away from any I'd tasted. A layer of sliced new potatoes was topped by a fish and vegetable combination bound together in a light, creamy mayonnaise. This was decorated with a deep-fried battered olive (don't knock it until you've tried it), slices of crisp, cooked chorizo and surrounded by a tasty selection of mixed leaves with a delicious peach flavoured vinaigrette. When we returned this year, my favourite course was my main course. Fresh cod in a tempura batter with maple syrup and balsalmic vinegar dressing. Other members of our party enjoyed duck breast with berries and slow roasted oxtail with a sherry dressing. My dessert was a plateful of huge, fresh strawberries with a caramel sauce and toasted pistachios. We were served with a celery cream amuse-bouche while our starters were being prepared.
MENU The Silenus menu has 4 or 5 starters, main courses and desserts. These are quite varied, some more than others and included kangaroo each time I have visited. The portions are not huge but they are artistically presented and all very flavoursome. There is also a tasting menu of 6 set dishes, two from each course, but as these included two foods which members of our party were allergic to, we didn't try this.
DRINK According to Greek Mythology, Silenus was the companion of the God of Wine and they certainly had a good selection. The staff were helpful and when we explained what we wanted, they recommended a lovely full-bodied Rioja. It cost 21Euros a bottle which was below mid-price on a fairly extensive wine list with a selection of wines from around the world and a range of prices.
SERVICE The restaurant was run by two staff, one male, one female, both quite young and both very helpful. We were mainly served by the girl who spoke excellent English, discussed the menu with us and made suggestions.
ATMOSPHERE When we arrived at nine o'clock, the restaurant was empty, but by the time we were served with our main course, the restaurant was buzzing. (Presumably with Spanish who prefer to eat later than us.) Two couples with a baby in a car seat occupied the next table. They were relaxed,as was the rest of the restaurant and the baby was not disturbed by the gentle hum of conversation around the room.
PRICE The cost for three courses with wine, sparkling water and coffees for our party of 5 adults was just over £150. Not the cheapest meal we had in Barcelona, but a very enjoyable one. (I prefer to pay a bit more for something a bit different when eating out.)
LOCATION The restaurant is situated in a quiet back street in the El Raval area, walking distance from the Placa Catalunya and close to MACBA (Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona)
Carrer Angels, 8 Barcelona Tel: 93 302 26 80
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