While honoring Catalan brands, Lou chooses the excellent Izaguirre Reserva for their draft tap. It is aromatic, slightly sweet, and served in the traditional way with a slice of orange and a large green olive. It has a smoother, more complex finish than most draft vermouths.
Tips from diners
Ask for it 'con hielo' (with ice) and let it sit for a minute to open up the herbs. It's very smooth.
A secret family recipe. The potatoes are perfectly cooked and mashed by hand with high-quality tuna, carrots, and peas, all bound together with a light, homemade mayonnaise. It's creamy, savory, and remarkably satisfying.
Tips from diners
The texture is very different from the factory-made versions. Use the breadsticks (picos) they provide to scoop it up.
Gordal olives are marinated for 48 hours in a mixture of red vermouth, orange zest, and a secret blend of herbs. They have a complex, slightly bitter-sweet profile that makes them the perfect companion to the drinks.
Tips from diners
You can really taste the vermut in the olive. It's a very clever twist on a simple snack.
Made with a mixture of beef and pork, these meatballs are slow-simmered in a sauce of tomatoes, onions, and a touch of nutmeg. It's a true 'grandma' dish that reflects the family soul of the bar.
Tips from diners
The sauce is the best part. Make sure you have enough bread to soak every drop — they call it 'suquet'.
Fresh octopus is boiled until tender, sliced into medallions, and served over a bed of 'cachelos' (boiled potatoes). It's finished with a generous dusting of sweet and spicy paprika (pimentón) and coarse sea salt.
Tips from diners
They serve it on a traditional wooden plate which helps soak up any extra oil. The quality of the pimentón here is very high.
Vermuteria Lou is a neighborhood favorite in Gràcia that perfectly balances the old-school charm of a bodega with the technical skill of a modern kitchen. Famous for its homemade Russian salad and its rotating selection of creative small plates, it offers a more culinary-focused vermouth experience than the 'conservas'-only bars nearby.
The bar is very popular with Gràcia locals. If you want a table outside in the sun, you need to arrive by 12:30pm on weekends.
The owners are very friendly and love to talk about their wines. If you're interested in Catalan vermouth brands, ask them for a recommendation beyond the tap.
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