With so many choices in the Barri Gòtic, Bosco has found a way to stand out. Its cosy feel and near-spectacular décor, simple yet elegant, seems Romanesque. The service is good and, more important, the kitchen has no delusions of grandeur but focuses its efforts on the solid dishes it creates, making this place expertly run by Juan Bernat quite attractive indeed.
The terrace is one of the most peaceful and busy, if those two things can co-exist, especially in the evening. The potatoes Bosco which come highly recommended, are similar to patatas bravas that haven’t been fried, and make for an excellent starter. Your best bet is to go with the idea of sharing and trying a bit of everything. Chef Héctor makes up a tempting lunch menu. The day we were there, the first course featured salad, cold soup or pasta to start, followed by a choice between quiche, turbot with red peppers and garlic or pork loin with aubergine. A drink, dessert and bread are included in the price.
Aside from the potatoes, the standout tapas are the fried farm eggs accompanied by black sausage or ham, and a dish that usually serves more than one is a house speciality: Bosco cannelloni stuffed with roasted hen, with mushrooms and foie gras. A delectable offering with distinctive flavours that fight for the spotlight among your taste buds – in a good way.
There’s a daily rice dish, a fish of the day, as well as a good burger, and the beef cutlet is the pride of the chef. "We have good suppliers and we are very picky about them. The area has a lot of competition and you have to try to make your mark," says Bernat. And Bosco does just that, and not just with its ambience and terrace, where you can hear the bells of the Gòtic pealing; there’s also room for the little ones at Bosco with their macaroni and cheese and chicken with chips.