Place to eat: Cañota, Barcelona, Spain

About this place:

Tucked away on a side-street in Montjuic, near the luminous Font Magica, Cañota features an extensive menu of meat, fish, and tapas. But look around carefully before you order. At Cañota, locals eat one thing and one thing only: platters of sizzling meat. Called carne a la brasa, the platters are designed to be shared by two people and are served with a few roasted vegetables and the inevitable pan con tomate (a tomato-smeared bread served throughout Catalonia). The succulent meat is served sliced and raw, sizzling on a platter. When it’s delivered to your table, put each slice flat on the fire-hot platter and cook each side exactly to your liking. Occasionally, Gallician pulpo (octopus) is offered as a special, and many people order both the pulpo and the carne a la brasa to create their meal. Prices are moderate: the carne a la brasa for two people is €30.