Foodie in Barcelona

Curious about food, culture and what people put in their mouth

  • Home
  • Favourites
  • Best Of
  • Map

Petit Pau Sants, Seasonal Food

1st November 2017 2 Comments

The chef at Petit Pau SantsI read an article in the Guardian by Nigella Lawson in which she lamented the unpopularity of brown hued food in a time where ordering food is done with its Instagramability in mind. We are starting to order food to please others and gain their admiration, rather than to please ourselves.

It’s hard to remember a time when it wasn’t so. And yet – I may have found a worm hole that leads to that time in the barrio of Sans, an area blissfully bereft of tourists.

A couple of my friends at dinnerWhen I call to make a reservation for 5 at Petit Pau Sants, I am told that as a small restaurant the most they can seat in one group is 4. There is no negotiating, they are polite but firm. “I like the sound of the place.” Quips Sarah “reminds me of Tapioles, my restaurant.”

Petit Pau is indeed a small restaurant of 16 seats. One waiter to serve, the chef behind the bar and a sous chef inside. On the seasonal menu, 6 starters and 6 mains. We order the clams with boletus (baby ceps) (€17.3), the rice with duck and artichokes (€16.50) and the egg, trumpet mushrooms, mash and Cecina (€16.20).

Clams at Petit Pau SantsThe clams come first, large and meaty – not a grain of sand in one of them. The silky mushrooms pair beautifully, mirroring the bounce and texture of the molluscs. The three of us scoop up the creamy broth in the spent shells and then move on to husks of bread to wipe the plate clean.

The mash, egg & Cecina arrive next. Two of us pull out our cameras and start to take pictures, then our iPhones so we can post to ‘stories’. It prompts the bandanad chef to come out of the kitchen: “I didn’t realize that you would be taking all these pictures, it’s not photogenic, I build the potato wall quite high to keep the egg inside…” He isn’t annoyed but he is visibly perplexed. He’s made this food for us to eat not photograph. Dish of mashed potato, Cecina and soft cooked eggThere are some fish mains, including cod Kokotxas (cheeks) but it’s a cold evening and we opt for meat. Meat being something I rarely order because of its poor quality and thin flavour. Out comes the brownest plate of food I have seen in the last decade: beef fillet with a potato gratin in a shiny sauce (€20.10). A bold and confident dish. The flavour of the meat makes our eyes go wide. “Oh my – try the potato gratin.” Wafer thin slices with a sticky brown crust. “That potato crust makes me think of canelés?!” I exclaim. The confit pork oozes cheese out of the middle and comes with a mound of diced tomatoes with blades of basil.

It’s as astonishing in its simplicity as it is in its depth of flavour.

Beef cheek with diced tomato The restaurant has filled up. No one is photographing their food. Except for a couple of Spanish-speaking Swedish women, everyone is local. The waiter rolls over the dessert trolley. It all looks generic and bland, a few of the Physalis have rolled off the chocolate slice. “Does the chef make the desserts?” We ask, dubious that the answer will be yes.
“No, we get them from an Austrian pastry chef.”
We order the apple strudel, shaped like a bag. It’s disappointing, especially after the meal we’ve had.

We pay and go outside for a smoke.
“What did you think?” I ask my friends?
“I thought it was incredible! I haven’t eaten food like that since I was making it!”
This is the highest form of praise Sarah can bestow. We carry on with our evening, telling everyone we meet along the way – “You have to try Petit Pau!”

Petit Pau Sants
Carrer de l’Espanya Industrial, 22
08014 Sants
www.petitpau.cat

If you like this restaurnt you will like Santa Gula and Gresca Bar.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • More
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Pocket

Like this:

Like Loading...

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Catalan Food, sans, Seasonal

« Jean Leon Wine Tour, Enotourism, Torrelavit
The Fish & Chips Shop Barcelona, Eixample »

Comments

  1. Sara says

    2nd November 2017 at 4:19pm

    The food was excellent, hope to be back soon! x

    Reply
    • Suzy says

      21st November 2017 at 1:32pm

      Yup! So good. But there are so many great places at the moment. It’s hard to know what to eat.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

What Are You Looking For?

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 770 other subscribers.

Foodie In Barcelona on Instagram

📍Batea Barcelona — Gran Via, 605 Michelin 202 📍Batea Barcelona — Gran Via, 605
Michelin 2025 recommended and absolutely deserved.

Between the Betanzos tortilla drowning in prawn head jus and the delicately plated ceviche, Batea balances tradition with a polished, confident creativity. It’s seafood-forward but far from predictable.

Highlights:
🦐 Tortilla with prawns
🥒 Flawless ceviche
🥖 Bread + algae butter = don’t skip it
🌿 Falafel of algae & bluefin tuna (!)

Their design nods to the nostalgic brasseries of old, but this is very much Barcelona now. Grab a table. Order generously.

#foodieinbarcelona #batea #barcelonafood #michelinbarcelona #barcelonaeats #bcnfoodie #tortillabetanzos #barcelonarestaurants #seafoodlover #plateselector
@unikobarcelona is one I have on rotation. If I am @unikobarcelona is one I have on rotation. If I am not here, I’m at one of the @101_dim_sum locations.

#chinesefoodlover #foodieinbarcelona #foodbcn #bcnfood #bcnfoodies #bcngourmet #bcnrestaurants
Contracorrent Bistró has a new (ish) spot in Grà Contracorrent Bistró has a new (ish) spot in Gràcia. A melding of Catalan and Italian flavours and a focus on ingredients. As highlighted by the row of vines from the family estate that are suspended from the ceiling. 
The choice is between two tasting menus. Of course my friend and I selected the largest one!
A flurry of small plates and bowls ensued. Just the way I like it, lots of variety but I didn’t have to waddle out of there. 
The warm and knowledgeable service was the cherry on top.
@contracorrentbar 
📍 Carrer de Sant Domènec, 14
08012 Barcelona

#foodieinbarcelona #foodinbcn #bcnfood #bcnfoodies #bcngourmet #bcnrestaurants #bcndelicatessen #bcnfoodieguide #gracia #gràcia
I smell summer. A gritty cup of cold horchata with I smell summer. A gritty cup of cold horchata with retro fittings is it these days. Bonus points for the sugar free option. 

#foodieinbarcelona #horchata #sirvent #sirventbarcelona #bcn #bcninspira
I feel like the one coffee shop per block thing ha I feel like the one coffee shop per block thing has been done ad nauseam - instead I would like to petition for one cheese shop per block. Found this darling one on the corner from one of my favourite restaurants.
What about you? Do you think we have reached peak coffee shop saturation in the city?
22:22 Cultura Dulce is all about pretty patisserie 22:22 Cultura Dulce is all about pretty patisserie and many layered savoury butter pastries. I think we may have tried a calçot riff when we were there. It’s a large place with corners occupied by big personality plants. 

#patisserie #barcelona #foodieinbarcelona #foodbcn #bcnlovers #bcnfood #bcnfoodies #bcngourmet #bcnrestaurants #bcninspira
The foie sauce pasta @maleducat should be illegal. The foie sauce pasta @maleducat should be illegal. It’s not a plate to share - even with someone you love. 🫣
Of course the tomato tartar with mackerel continues to make me happy.

#foodieinbarcelona #foodbcn #bcnfood #bcngourmet #bcnrestaurants #bcndelicatessen #bcnfoodie #eatbcn
We had such a great lunch @williswinebarparis ! Un We had such a great lunch @williswinebarparis ! Unexpected because it’s right behind the Louvre, it’s gorgeous, good value with charming servers. 

#foodieinbarcelona #paris #parisfoodguide #parisfoodguide #parislife #pariswine #pariswinebar
Out of curiosity I joined the queue @bouillonlinst Out of curiosity I joined the queue @bouillonlinsta - a warehouse of a restaurant with continuous service and small prices. I can see the appeal - the rice pudding with caramel sauce was ace. Three courses with cider 18€!

#bouillon #bouillonpigalle #paris #pariseats #république
David Hockney at the Louis Vuitton Foundation in P David Hockney at the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris is an extraordinary exhibition. I had goose bumps 15 minutes in. 

#paris #davidhockney #davidhockneyexhibition #fondationlouisvuitton #paris #artparis
#southoffrance🇫🇷 #cannes #monaco #france #southoffrance🇫🇷 #cannes #monaco #france
Something for the weekend @tangana_restaurant beca Something for the weekend @tangana_restaurant because it’s chef led, with good chairs and just the right feeling. Gilda - yes. And the Mitake mushroom but with way more colour then this picture - I hadn’t realized that apricot panna cotta is what’s missing from my life - (not pictured because the best moments often aren’t captured.)

#foodieinbarcelona #foodbcn #bcnfood #bcnfoodies #bcngourmet #bcnrestaurants #bcndelicatessen #bcnblogger #bcnexplorers
Follow on Instagram

Foodie In Barcelona on Substack

On Substack? Get Foodie In Barcelona on your favourite newsletter platform by scanning the QR code below.

Substack QR Code

Recent Posts

  • Jiribilla, Mexican, Sant Antoni
  • 3 Barcelona Wineries to Visit by Nika Shevela
  • Hiu Restaurant, South East Asian Fusion, Cambrils
  • Glug, European, Eixample
  • Guy’s Best Healthy Places in Barcelona

VoiceMap: A Culinary Tour of El Born

VoiceMap logoVoiceMap QR CodeFor the best experience, install the VoiceMap app for Android or iPhone. Then just scan the QR code to be taken to my tour. A 2-hour tour for only $6.99!

Follow Me

  • Instagram
  • TikTok
  • X
  • Email

Posts by Area

  • Barceloneta
  • Gòtic
  • Born
  • Eixample
  • Gràcia
  • Poble Sec
  • Poblenou
  • Raval
  • Sant Antoni

Popular Posts

  • Ten Best Tapas Restaurants in BCN by FoodJungle
  • The Best Spots to Enjoy Catalan Cuisine
  • Best Italian Restaurants in Barcelona
  • Glug, European, Eixample
  • Best New Restaurants Barcelona, Summer 2022
  • Best Pizza Barcelona
  • Barcelona's Best Mexican Restaurants
  • Denassus, Tapas & Wine, Poble Sec
  • Pastisseria Brunells, El Born

Posts by Category

  • Cafés & Delis
  • Days Out
  • Miscellaneous
  • Recipes
  • Restaurants
  • Shops & Markets
  • Tours
  • Travel

Copyright © 2025 · Foodie in Barcelona · info@foodieinbarcelona.com

Site by Web Harmonics

%d