Barcino Wine and Resto Bar: Cheese Platter, Paella Negra, and more!

Barcino Wine and Resto Bar

My first visit at Barcino Wine and Resto Bar was in their Greenbelt 2 branch for a quick late night get-together with my high school friends. They had their Sangria while I had my Mango Shake. For some reasons, I can no longer take anything alcoholic anymore. We stayed at the al fresco where there are a lot of people drinking and enjoying the music and the night.

bar at the al fresco area

My next visit at Barcino, at their SM Aura branch, gave a totally different vibe. Yes, they also have an al fresco area which gets busy at night as well, though we chose to dine inside as I'm with my little boy.

dining area

Wine cellars everywhere! And this is just a glimpse of how wide their wine selection is. Wooden tables and chairs, walls covered with bricks and stones, rustic yet classy. Add to that the Spanish music to complete the vibe. Perfect for romantic dinner, or client meeting. They also have this small room, with a very elegant interior, that can seat 8-10 people.


so many wines!	small private room

Since the vibe is screaming "Spanish!", we look at the menu, not to mention the extensive wine selections, and see which are tagged as Chef recommended to complete the experience.

some food offerings

Masia Freye Red (Syrah, Tempranillo) (1,050Php)

Ripe and full. Indulging with elegant tannins


wine by the glass	Masia Freye Red

Allen (of Stop! Look! Capture!) asked the server for a recommended wine to go with our Cheese Platter since we know nothing about pairing. This Spanish wine, Masia Freye Red, was given to us. We just had it by the glass and it's more than enough. I wish I can comment on the taste but I wasn't able to try it.

Fresh Fruit Shakes

Fruit Shakes

Their Fruit Shakes are fresh and true to taste. They don't taste sweetened nor milky nor added with syrup, so for me, they're good! And yes, you get a chunk of the fruit itself.


Watermelon Shake (Php 95)	Melon Shake (Php 95)

Pan con Tomate (85Php)

Toasted bread with fresh tomato and basil

Pan con Tomate

Pan con Tomate was given to us as complimentary while waiting for our food.

Cheese Platter (895Php)

Assorted slices of Murcia Al Vino, Cured Sheep's Milk Cheese, Semi-cured Sheep's Milk Cheese, Goat's Milk Cheese with Paprika, Camembert, and Valdeon Blue Cheese

Cheese Platter

This Cheese Platter is best with wine, or in my case, best for cheese lover! I love almost everything! There's just one cheese that I didn't like much... probably the Murcia Al Vino which was washed with wine as I find it too tangy. Raisins and dried mangoes added texture and complementing flavor.


Cheese Platter	Kid's Menu: Chicken Fingers

Kid's Menu: Chicken Fingers (175Php)

Includes 1 glass of Iced Tea

Chicken Fingers

Now that I have a toddler, restaurants with Kids' Menu is a plus. I was surprised that fancy as it may seem, this restaurant also offers food that kids usually love. Chicken Fingers is perfect for my son who loves chicken and fries at the same time. Other selections are Spaghetti con Tomato, Arroz a la Cubana, and Mini Hamberguesa.

Croquetas de Chorizo (290Php)

Homemade croquettes with chorizo

Croquetas de Chorizo

I love these Croquetas de Chorizo! A mushy mix of potato, cheese, and chorizo bits thinly covered with crispy breading. The filling is good and cheesy that I'm fine even without the dip. My son liked it as well. Now I'm interested with the other croquetas as this left a good impression.


Croquetas de Chorizo	Pollo Al Ajillo

Pollo Al Ajillo (295Php)

Chicken sauteed with garlic and whole wine sauce

Pollo Al Ajillo

Pollo Al Ajillo was suggested by our server. This is one of those I haven't tried before but I easily welcomed due to the acquired taste that we have for Spanish cuisines. It's simple and homey. Reminded me of home-cooked meals prepared by my late grandma. Expect it to have mild spice that will linger on your tongue due to chili. But it is also that sensation that will make you want for more. Chicken is cooked well and I also love the done-ness of the potato chunks.

Paella Negra (525Php)

Paella rice cooked with squid ink, topped with squid rings and alioli

Paella Negra

I just got curious on what Paella Negra is and I had little expectation on this. Served in a wide pan, this paella looks overwhelming. But really, it's just good for 3 persons as even though the pan is wide, it is shallow. Probably the same reason why cooking time is relatively fast yet was able to maintain a good consistency -- soft but not sticky. Black rice, white mayo drizzle, 5 pieces of squid rings, and a slice of lemon -- it looks minimalist. This is far from my notion of paella which is usually loaded with meat, seafood, or other ingredients. But what I liked most is the rich flavor that even though there are just 5 squid rings, you won't ask for more. The paella itself is good that I need not any other dish to go with it.


Paella Negra	Crepe with Banana and Custard

Crepe with Banana and Custard (275Php)

Crepe with banana and custard served with chocolate syrup


with chocolate syrup	Crepe with Banana and Custard

Lastly, for dessert, we had Crepe with Banana and Custard. I chose this as I want something fruity and chocolatey, plus it is Chef recommended. The look is not as enticing as the other dishes we ordered. But it is true to the description - crepe with banana and custard served with chocolate syrup -- and true to flavor, which is good. I noticed some hints of cinnamon (I think), and I'm not a fan of cinnamon. I wish we had something fancier to cap off our meal, especially we have a little boy with us. Probably I'll try Delicia de Chocolate (chocolate souffle cake with warm chocolate filling served with vanilla ice cream) the next time I visit Barcino.

Here in SM Aura, Barcino is located at the 5F Sky Park so there's a wonderful view. My son also enjoyed the fountain and lights while we stayed at the al fresco after our meal. Other than wines and drinks, Barcino Wine and Resto Bar is a great place for that authentic Spanish dishes paired with classy ambiance. At the same time, if you're just looking for a place to hangout with friends, this is also a good option.

Barcino Wine and Resto Bar
5F SM Aura Premier, C5 Road corner 26th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City