Casa Amalia, Barcelona

The food is good enough, but there is a certain lack of care of details and a definite lack of interest in the client. For example, there was a long hair curled among our absolutely acceptable dish of 'xiperones', about which I said not a word because I wanted to have a good time. The waiter was correct, but far from cordial or even caring. The restaurant has a daily 'menu' of one price for three plates which only regulars are given when they sit down. The rest are given the more expensive 'carta' from which to choose. If you want an economical meal, you should ask for the 'menu'; it will not be forthcoming unless you do. Our disappointment came after waiting and waiting for the bill, having asked the waiter to bring it to the table, we finally went downstairs to pay, where the cashier rudely told us to "next time do the favor of paying at your table" (a direct translation). When I protested that this was no way to speak to a client, the manager intervened and explained that the area around the cashier was often busy, but did not apologize for the harsh words of his employee, in fact, told me not to get angry. Thus, the last taste in our mouths was that of uncaring staff serving decent food to clients they openly scorned. There are many better places to eat in Barcelona.