I hang my head in shame.

All this time, since May 2010, there has been this perfect place in Borne and I never knew. And what is this place? Just an exquisite, little restaurant by the name of Picnic. Off I went to enjoy Saturday brunch, never knowing what was about to hit me.

Wide windows let the light pour into Picnic’s open space, which is dominated by a Y-shaped bar. The egg-shell blue stools are outfitted with chintzy seat cushions. If you don’t like “high seating”, there are also a few tables. The waitresses are all dressed in denim and very friendly. The rest of the furniture is a pick and mix of different elements, oozing charm from every corner.

The attention to details in Picnic is magnificent. An eclectic mix of knick-knacks jostle for space above the bar. There are fresh flowers in jugs and pots, tastefully dotted around the restaurant. I love when an eating space looks a bit like a vintage shop, with lots of little keepsakes.

Of course, a restaurant may be breathtaking, but that does not necessarily mean there will be quality food. In Picnic’s case, they go beyond the call of duty to prepare and present some of the best dishes I have ever tasted. In case there is any doubt, I had pancakes, not the four different dishes!

The loose pork hamburger was divine. Tasty and filling, accompanied with salad, coleslaw and oven roasted potatoes with rosemary. The eggs Benedict were deemed on the level of Aubaine’s breakfast eggs in London. So white and firm on the outside, the poached eggs looked like meringues. Inside the yolks were perfectly runny. The bacon was nicely crisp and the bun was delicious.

Like I said before, I had the pancakes and they were the fluffiest pancakes I have ever had in my life. (And I grew up in Canada…) There were banana slices, loads of maple syrup and crunchy, caramelized nuts. The combination was perfect, dense and sweet. Not having had enough, we decided to try the Apple Betty, which is one of the best apple crumbles with vanilla ice cream ever.

I can’t wait to go back as Picnic also offers a 10 euro and 12.50 euros lunch menu during the week. They also prepare dinner. I have to admit there was only one thing that was slightly off: the prices. The pancakes were 5.50 euros which is quite good, yet the eggs Benedict were 11.50, which is quite outrageous. Yes, the eggs were very, very good, but the price is still too high. Even 9 euros would still be a bit too high. That said, don’t let the price come between you and the best brunch experience to date in Barcelona. It is well worth shelling out the extra money, not only for the quality of the food, but also the lovely atmosphere that simmers in Picnic.

Picnic
Address: Calle Comerç 1
Telephone: 93 511 6661
Email: info@picnic-restaurant.com
Metro: Arc de Triomf L1

What could possibly be better than a stack of pancakes with bacon and maple syrup for breakfast? The Breakfast Club in London has been nominated as runner-up to the best breakfast in town. The place is lovely, a crazy mix of long tables, armchairs, lamps and even a beach parasol. There were so many options to start the day! Eggs benedict was another choice, especially since it’s practically impossible to find this dish in Barcelona.

Now I don’t know about this being the second-best place in all of London to have breakfast, but it did have one thing that was completely the best. The toilets! Hands-down they have the best toilets I’ve ever seen. What a great idea to entirely wallpaper the cubicles! With four different choices, each cubicle is a sight to behold. He-man, Ghostbusters, Strawberry Shortcake and Fraggle Rock. Absolute bliss. I probably spent more time in the bathroom than in the restaurant itself.

Another lovely thing about London is the easy access to cupcakes. The Hummingbird Bakery on Portobello Road is a dream come true. Sugary, colourful confections in every flavour imaginable. Take-aways come in sweet, little Chinese-style boxes. When oh when, dear Jenny, are your going to open a wee shop here in Barcelona so I can have a cupcake while I read a book?