My past two blogs have been all about real red sauce joints. I first identified what they are and posed the question of whether or not we can save them. I next gave my checklist of things to look for (and to avoid) when seeking out a good one and I even listed a couple. This week, I will highlight one of those on my list—a favorite spot of mine which passes my test—and a spot that’s been in business for almost eighty years: Barcelona’s in Garfield, NJ.

Their website mission statement says it all…a one of a kind family owned restaurant is simply hard to find in today’s day and age. Barcelona’s is a rare treasure worth seeking out.  First off, the place has been run by the same family since day one—the original owner passed it down to each generation and the grandkids are still dedicated to this day—continuing the traditions. I’m getting hungry just thinking about their delicious pizza. Their meatballs are amazing too! That’s a half plain-half meatball pizza in the picture below. There’s no pineapple for toppings—there’s definitely anchovies though.

All the selections are vast and diverse…appetizers can be as simple as a dish of provolone or olives to fried calamari and HUGE fresh salads. You can get all the staples like veal, chicken, lasagna, ravioli, hot & cold sandwiches and a large variety of seafood from scungilli to lobster tails. But there’s also things like burgers (available on Italian bread) or killer chicken wings if the craving strikes you. You can even order tripe. Now that’s authentic baby!

Something for everyone is indeed here, no matter what your age, you will find something you love. The open steak on garlic bread is fantastic as is the hot salami on garlic bread. The daily specials, whatever they are, are always unique and fulfilling. If you are in the mood for eggplant or mussels or maybe just tartufo or an espresso, stop by. You can’t go wrong, trust me.

Barcelona’s atmosphere is warm and welcoming from the outside brick to the inside walls—adorned with flags and patriotic drawings and sayings from Vietnam to September 11^th. Tiffany lamps hang above cozy booths and yes, some tables do have the red & white checkered tablecloths—definitely allowed here. This is not a multi-million dollar designed country club or trendy city spot. From the wood-paneled walls to the basic wooden chairs with red cushions and curtains, the theme here follows the basics of care and comfort. Not too much is more important than that if you ask me.

The clientele is the old-timers from the neighborhood, who come in to eat, hang out and talk about the old days, usually at the bar over the thin-crust bar pies. The food is not classically prepared in the culinary sense, but the kitchen churns out those consistent cugine classics. A cook that caters to the cugine—someone who can deliver a certain, Italian-American experience on a plate is running the realest red sauce joint to me. That specific style and attitude is what it’s all about. I’ll take a cook with character and whose simplest peasant food tells a story over a conceited five star nouveau chef doing molecular gastronomy or that fusion jazz. Look, you can learn “technique” in school but at the end of the day, it’s about heart and serving something special to carry on a tradition.

While Barcelona’s may have a busy bar of goomba guests, the dining room is filled with families. I take the wife and kids a minimum of once a month. The setting is really just like being in my Italian grandmother’s basement and the dedicated service—where you are treated like a relative on a holiday—is just something you do not find anymore. Italian-American and American dishes done right are also hard to find (as I’ve been writing about now for three weeks), so come eat here now!

Click below for Barcelona’s website link where you can download their famous menu. You will fall off your chair when you see how reasonable the prices are. Nothing is over $11.00! You can easily feed a family of four for under $50 and have leftovers to bring home. It is printed right on the back of their menu: “to keep our prices low, tell your friends about us.” So that is what I am doing today, not because I am affiliated with them in any way but because I’ve seen far too many of these gems disappear. It’s my goal to showcase these special places and keep this stuff alive!

Charity Di Vino Event This Thursday…

Tickets are still available for this Thursday’s huge Charity di Vino event which will be held at the Sheraton Crossroads in Mahwah, NJ from 7pm-10pm. This is said to be one of the biggest wine tasting celebrations in the Garden State, run by UNICO. I will be there on behalf of Chef Central—who is one of the sponsors, along with Chef Nina Marie of Ooh La La Catering. Neither of us know who won round one of the Ultimate Chef competition from a few weeks ago, but we will find out the winner at the Sheraton. That contest will be shown on a big screen TV on the “Neighborhood Journal” show before the live announcement is made. We will also be squaring off in a meatball throwdown judged by over 500 guests in attendance!