In Leo Messi's theme park

We may have already seen the concept of theme park / restaurant within the Tickets project by Albert Adrià. According to this idea, guests must not just sit at a table, passively waiting for all the parade of dishes from the kitchen, but they must actively react to some small events. The concept returns in the newborn Bellavista del Jardín del Norte.

It is not a coincidence that it is the same project designers who are working now on the project. This is an extension of the same circus party atmosphere, this time interpreted as a performance of the traditions of a village in the most remote Spain, perhaps now partially disappeared and a little retro.

This time the Iglesias group is doing without Adrià but counts on a group of businesses led by the family of Argentinian footballer Lionel Messi, very interested in collaborating with Juan Carlos, Borja and Pedro Iglesias, in a big two million euros project (and we believe this is a conservative estimate).

The 1,000 square metre gastronomic area begins with the Colmado (the delicatessen), where you can have breakfast from early in the morning, the kiosk with freshly published newspapers and a display of snacks, up to the village bell tower, with a fountain of drinkable water, the barber shop, the bar with slot machines where local people play cards and look at football matches in the evening.

There are endless kitsch details, spoofs that appeal to one and exasperate the other, but always with doubtless, excessive, originality. At the far back there is a naturally “decorated” place, out of context, which is nonetheless a refreshing and light thread for the rest: Jardín del Norte. A marvellous Eixmple patio with garden and palms.

Try the Corn tiramisu (in fact it is a flan) with poached egg and grated summer truffle (10.50 euros). The Phyllo pastry tart with avocado and crab (14 euros) is also excellent. Not to be missed. The turbot recalls the classic salmon, covered in a coloured jelly. In this case it is made current with gherkins, pieces of kimchi, lime and coriander. An ideal summer dish.

. It could seem like a classic kids' dish but the Breaded cutlet in the style of Rosario (they say it’s Messi's favourite dish – he was born in Rosario) with its egg "on a horseback" and the French fries will make adults happy too (10.50 euros). Finally, the Rice pudding with dulce de leche is a must.

Bellavista del Jardín del Norte
Enric Granados, 86
Barcelona
+34.93.8562949