One of the demands of the residents and shopkeepers of the Gòtic is the low volume of Barcelonians who stroll through the streets and squares of the neighborhood. Today we take the opportunity to remember that, in this context, Bar La Plata gathered its lifelong customers in November to celebrate its 80th anniversary.
The establishment, located at number 28 Mercè Street, was founded by Josep (Pepito) Marjanet and Joaquima (Quimeta) Planas in 1945. Due to its location, stevedores working at the port and local and foreign sailors frequented the bar.
In its origins, Marjanet and Planas slept in the attic, above the kitchen, and the bar was open every day from 6 am to 11 pm. Later, in 1978, their daughter, Anna Marjanet, started working there and took charge of the kitchen for 33 years.
One day, Planas, the owner of the bar, went shopping at La Boqueria and returned to the premises loaded with sardines, with the idea that this food would serve to give strength to the workers who passed through La Plata. After 80 years, the place is still known for its fried fish. "And my grandfather initially didn't see it clearly," explains Planas' grandson, Roger Pascual, with a laugh.
Maintaining without losing the essence
"At that time, people would do the bar crawl on this street and we were known as 'Los Pescaitos'," Pascual recalls. He also explains that he has experienced the transformation of the neighborhood firsthand. "We have seen all the trends come and go, they have mistreated the neighborhood with exorbitant prices and poor quality dishes," he laments.
Currently, among the brunch, smash burger, sushi and Japanese ramen places, Bar La Plata still maintains the same four traditional Catalan cuisine dishes: fried fish, olive, tomato and onion salad, and bread with tomato (with anchovies or botifarra). And all of them at popular prices, between 2.5 and 7 euros. "What works shouldn't be changed," Pascual assures.
Despite the simplicity of the menu, some of the most renowned chefs in the world have passed through La Plata to give their personal touch to the dishes. Among them, Ferran Adrià, Anthony Bourdain and Jamie Oliver.
53 years as a waiter
The charm of La Plata is based on an immutable setting, which preserves the three original wine barrels. But not only that, behind the bar, since 1972 there has been Pepe Gómez, who started working as a waiter at just 14 years old and continues to serve there.
What also hasn't changed is a part of the clientele. Among the tourists, there are also lifelong neighbors who used to come to eat with their parents and now bring their children. "We want to be a bar that is part of many people's history," says Pascual.
