Blau i Verd: the great Mediterranean all-you-can-eat buffet for groups in the center of Barcelona

BarcelonaBalu i Verd is a restaurant that just opened in the center of Barcelona, ​​on Consell de Cent street, between Rambla Catalunya and Balmes. It's very spacious, and I'd say it's one of those perfect places to go with large groups, families, or for impromptu lunches. Especially if you're a group that needs generous portions. Their model is this: you pay a fixed price (19.95 at lunchtime on weekdays and 29.95 at dinner and on weekends) and everything is included. First, you'll find an all-you-can-eat buffet loaded with small bowls of food. These are the starters, designed as individual tapas. There are many types, and you can eat as many as you like. Iberian ham, hummus, anchovy flatbread, flame-grilled escalivada, empedrado, derrama... The restaurant's focus is Mediterranean cuisine. The owners of Blau i Verd are of Chinese origin, and they entrusted chef and neurologist Miguel Sánchez Romera with the role of gastronomic consultant and menu designer. The idea is for everything to be digestible and healthy.

After the appetizers, you can choose your first course and then your second. Fried calamari, croquettes, pasta, or various rice dishes (the black rice with cuttlefish and prawns is a big hit) are some of the first course options. Examples of second courses include oven-roasted chicken with mashed potatoes, Catalan sausage, or cod loin, among others. Desserts are also served buffet-style, just like the appetizers. You can eat as many as you like. There's crema catalana or rice pudding. But all of them have been given the Sánchez Romera touch. There are surprises, like a chocolate heart or a pistachio one.

The restaurant, which is large and open-plan, has a lower level with private rooms. This makes it a good place for group gatherings. It's also a great spot to sample some less common wines, always keeping the Mediterranean theme in mind. While they have Catalan wine lists, you'll also find Greek and Turkish wines. The price includes water and soft drinks. Wine is available for an additional charge. The weekday and evening menus include some more elaborate dishes, as well as some with a supplement, such as the half lobster (which has a supplement of €7.50).