On the eve of December, the month in which Christmas is celebrated, the new Bailli of Barcelona invited members and guests to participate in a traditional Christmas dinner in the majestic building that is home to the Reial Cercle Artístic.

The Reial Cercle Artístic premises comprise the Pignatelli Palace (a Gothic building) and Bassols House (built in the 16th century). Principally home to Catalan modernism, the Reial Cercle Artístic is an institution dedicated to the promotion of art. It was founded in 1881 by various artists including the painters Eliseo Meifren, Modest Urgell, Joaquim Mir and Ramón Casas.

After the welcome speeches by Bailli Délégué Rosa Román and Bailli José Félix Bentz i Oliver accompanied by Bailliage officers, we set out to experience a great dinner prepared by Chef Sergi Pelaó from the Restaurante El Cercle in Barcelona.

MENU

Tapas
Mussels “marinière” | Coca toast with tomato
Ibérico ham from pure Iberian pigs
Tomato salad with soft onion and olives
Croquettes of hock and sausage | Squid “Roman” style

Main course choices
Cod with ratatouille

Hake two ways
oven-baked or “Santurce” (Basque country) style with fries

Sirloin steak “Neapolitan” style

Fricandó (traditional Catalan beef dish)
with Parmentier potatoes and pig’s cheek

Dessert
Nougat ice cream with Christmas tree decoration

WINES
Glàrima de Sommos, DO Somontano
Luno, DO Montsant
Cava Elyssia Gran Cuvée

While we were still enjoying the tapas, Sabela Álvarez gave a wonderful piano performance. What a lovely surprise. We really enjoyed this beautiful initiative!

At the end of the dinner, Rosa Román and José Félix Bentz i Oliver presented everyone with a gift of a bottle cooler silkscreened with the logo of the Chaîne. The evening continued with entertainment provided by a live group meaning that in true festive party spirit the attendees could demonstrate their singing and dancing skills.

We especially appreciated the presence at the dinner of D. Alejandro de la Capilla Heusch, Consul of Sierra Leone in Barcelona and a recently-joined member of the Chaîne. And of course sincere thanks went to all those who had created space in their busy schedules during the run up to Christmas so as to be able attend this outstanding evening.

Vive la Chaîne!

Rosa Román Fernandez
Bailli Délégué