A ‘Fusion’ Restaurant in Eixample
Small neighborhood restaurant hits right mix of traditional and modern
“Fusion” is one of those over-used terms in the restaurant business that means less the more it used. In Barcelona, fusion can reference anything from the work of some of the world’s top culinary artists to burger joints offering chipotle sauce. Any restaurant that combines American cheese with Iberian pork is suddenly a “gastropub” experimenting in modern fusion cuisine.
Indeciso is a small neighborhood restaurant that is taking the concept seriously. On Carrer del Bruc, it is a few blocks from Passeig de Gracia, but miles away from the tourist throngs. It is small, with a cozy atmosphere that feels like many of the neighborhood restaurants in the city. There are only a few tables crammed into the bar space and a couple of tables on the patio; it is the ambiance of a spot only the locals know about (and I was taken there by a local.)
This is how Indeciso describes the cuisine:
“Indeciso offers a contemporary menu that blends Mediterranean and Catalan flavors with creative influences. It’s a space designed for those who want to eat well, discover unique dishes, and enjoy a carefully curated experience in the heart of the city.”
There is a strong emphasis on fresh ingredients. The day I was there for lunch, the menu de dia included a fresh beet carpaccio, with fresh orange, artisanal cheese and a honey-citrus vinaigrette and a main course of potato gnocchi with parmesan, artichoke chips and black olive powder. I opted for a fresh vegetable soup with crispy kale and peanut crumble and a roasted pork loin with pineapple, spinach and ham.
Everything fulfilled the restaurant’s promise to focus on fresh, unique pairings. And there was a real sense that that the chef respected the staples of a Catalan menu, while looking for fresh approaches, instead of the other way around. This was not an attempt to paste old traditions onto new concepts. Unlike many “fusion” restaurants, at Indeciso the offerings and atmosphere remain authentic to the feel of a Barcelona neighborhood restaurant.
In addition to the traditional mid-day menu, Indeciso offers a separate evening menu with “creative dishes and bites to share, designed to explore flavors at a leisurely pace.” There are also vegan and gluten-free choices. And you can make reservations. (It’s also worth noting that our waiter spoke English (and the restaurant displays the menu de dia in English, which is rare in the old neighborhood.)
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