A break to taste ‘cocas’ and other delicatessen
Located at the entrance to El Nacional, La Parada reflects in its name the intention of the designers of this gastronomic macro-space: a place to take a break, chat and relax whilst having a drink and some of the delicatessen dishes that are offered on its menu, on which the cocas and the mini pizzas stand out.
La Parada is the most versatile area in the complex, where you can stop and eat at any time, whether you are looking for a peaceful café, a place to eat quickly, a table to enjoy some mediterranean gastronomy, a corner to have a relaxed afternoon tea or a place for an after work drink.
This restaurant’s culinary offer starts, as with the other restaurants at El Nacional, with double fermented bread and coca flatbread accompanied by Garland tomatoes, oil and salt, to be spread to the taste of each person. Using this as a base, there is El Nacional’s assortment of cheeses or the splendid Iberian ham from Guijuelo.
If we need a quick meal: a Catalonian salad (with cold cured meats), of cod with xató sauce or handmade cheese and a range of pasta dishes that include the classic macaroni with bolognese sauce, roast meat ravioli and for the most gourmet, the ricci tuna fish tartar.
Savoury ‘Cocas’
This is where La Parada really comes into its own; in the offer of savoury cocas, some prepared like the typical Catalonian cocas de recapte, and others, like mini Italian pizzas. Amongst these thin-doughed and with a base of tomato and cheese, the mini-pizzas of vegetables with salad sprouts, butifarra esparracada and the Iberian sobrassada stand out. Amongst the cocas, the most popular are the ones with Iberian ham and rocket; oil with cooked ham, cheese and spinach and the roasted vegetables and goat’s cheese flatbread. Added to these permanent selections are others using seasonal products, such as the tomato coca or the mushroom and pumpkin coca, in the autumn.
Aperitifs, Beers and Wines
In this space all kinds of drinks are served to accompany the different possibilities on the menu. If we are having an aperitif, we will be able to have a manzanilla or Jerez dry sherry, or red or white vermouth, a local from Tarragona.
Seven specialities of the restaurant’s house beer are offered on draught, ranging from the popular Estrella, double malt Voll-Damm and Damm-Lemon shandy by the glass or the pint, to bottled alcohol-free Free-Damm, mild Sazz, gluten-free Daura and the gourmet beer, Inedit.
On the wine list, there are whites, rosés and reds, cava sparkling wine and sweet wine. Along with sangria, which can be made either using wine or cava sparkling wine.
Cakes For The Sweetest Tooth
This versatile corner can be considered as a paradise for those with a sweet tooth, since along with our speciality of savoury cocas is another no less attractive one of varying crêpes and cakes. The cakes, obviously prepared on the premises, are displayed so that customers can be guided by all their senses and choose apple cake, lemon and meringue pie; orange and lemon cake; cottage cheese cake, rice pudding; banana, chestnut and chocolate cake or any of the many specialities on offer. Those who prefer crêpes, to complete a romantic nights dinner, will also find several specialities, such as lemon and sugar; strawberry and Catalonian crème brûlée or two chocolates.
