Petit Comitè, Barcelona – Creative Cuisine with Catalan Roots
For a relaxed introduction to modern Catalan cooking in Barcelona, Petit Comitè offers a confident and approachable entry point. This informal restaurant is the city outpost of celebrated chef Nandu Jubany, known for his contemporary, high- end interpretations of regional cuisine and for bridging culinary craft with scientific curiosity through his involvement in Harvard' s Science and Cooking programme.
The name Petit Comitè, meaning “small committee” or “private gathering” in Catalan, creates an atmosphere of intimacy. The interior reflects this; clean lines, muted tones, and a calm ambience combine in a space designed by Lagranja Design, where formality and warmth coexist.
The meal started with an amuse-bouche of calamari salad and Pommes soufflées, which are inflated potato pillows. These appear deceptively simple but demonstrate strong technique. The process involves layering two thin slices of potato—one dusted with starch and the other lightly brushed with egg white so they adhere. The potatoes are then deep-fried initially at one temperature to cook, and subsequently at a different temperature where they self-inflate. This requires precision, timing, and careful inquiry to create the effect of hollow, crispy pillows with air inside.
Of course, the menu included Catalan classics, as expected. Coca con tomate was served alongside escalibada, a familiar trio of grilled vegetables enhanced by anchovies and a generous, rich, nutty romesco sauce—so good that we would happily have ordered a bowl of romesco on its own. Among the main dishes, the grilled octopus with mashed potatoes and cayenne was well-prepared, but it was the esqueixada de bacallà that left the strongest impression—freshly flaked salt cod dressed simply with tomato, tender, clean, and quietly satisfying. Straightforward, unfussy, and respectful of the ingredients, it exemplified the restaurant's essence.
Overall, Petit Comitè delivered a thoroughly enjoyable meal, particularly given the expectations that often accompany Michelin-starred kitchens in Barcelona. It' s a restaurant that values precision and tradition without nostalgia.
Petit Comité Barcelona
+34 93 550 0620
Passatge de la Concepció, 13 Eixample District, 08008 Barcelona, Spain
www.petitcomite.cat
photos ©Petit Comité by Garrett Ziegler 