Bar Raval is the "thinks-he-is" spot that doesn't need another five star review, but here I go writing one. I'd love to take them down a notch, but the thing is, they get the food so so right.
Tapas here are not so expensive. My faves are the shoshito peppers, a little plate of manchego, and the tomato bread. The lasts is their "pan amb tomaquet", and uses bread grilled to perfection.
The bartenders are straight out of crouching tiger, hidden dragon. I recommend sitting at the bar and trying not to let your jaw drop. Order a boulevardier, for instance. Watch for the pro twist of grapefruit.
One institutional aspect of Bar Raval is that they are open seven days a week for breakfast lunch and dinner. I love that. They will even sell you fresh bread. My only request is that they choose better daytime music: right now it's club music at 8am, when some mellow jazz would be welcome.
Evenings, it's a tough place to get in, with hour-long wait lists on a Friday night. They are somewhat a victim of their own success, attracting a snobby crowd that comes because it's the place to be seen right now. But don't worry : they'll move on when Chef Grant opens his next TWO places already in the works!