«There will be a huge oak door. A handle and a bell. You will ring; they will see you on camera and open. Did you get it? Ring and they will open. Say — to Tony, Tony Da Greco.» The nuclear and explosive Marina Elizaryeva, who has lived everywhere in the world where there are millionaires and football players, rumbles as if a sewing machine, knocking down with her hands the passersby, and expanding herself into nocturnal Barcelona.

What? A private restaurant of a club type in Barcelona? What’s that supposed to mean? My God, is it that I have I a gift of finding myself in strange places?

And who wants this in a city, where 90% of all restaurant visitors are foreigners with feverish eyes into «Lonely Planet» or «Tripadvisor»?

No-no. Admittance upon reservation only. Membership isn’t necessary. They have places where foreigners are not wanted. For example, the FCB (Football Club of Barcelona) lounge or a VIP hall for special guests. Beyonce comes here once a year, as well as a prince of Saudi, a Prime Minister of a small but proud country, a media magnate on a diet and so on. It is impossible to list all the celebrity guests, friends and club members.

Nevertheless, everything in practice appeared to be not that scary, and in the end, we entered into the magnificent Balenciaga mansion (indeed, he had lived and created in here for years before Tony Da Greco and his wife turned it into a restaurant, naturally with classical Italian cuisine). It was around nine in the evening. Next to Paseo de Gracia, having turned into a quiet street.

Inside is the owner’s collection of masterpieces mixed up with good replicas of the same masterpieces. Anyhow, respect and credit for letting people sit close to the invaluable things. And this is the reason for the closed door.

Contrary to the expectations (I’m a generous person with regards to restaurants, but still alarmed about the expenses) the counter was more than moderate and it was facilitated by the fact that if you take a degustation set, afterwards you will hardly be able to leave on your own. It has six courses, including the pasta sorpresa, which is served to all guests and is the specialty of the house.

In short, the pasta is not a dish, here they force feed you with it, pouring on top high quality wine from vineyard bought out by Tony in Ribeiro.

Everything is the way it should be. Pasta fresca, tomatoes with garlic. Mozzarella is melting. Truffle, foie gras…

Tony does know, what the rich people eat and how to make happy those who are not that rich. This is the secret and the charm of this establishment, and not filthy arrogance as it might be expected. It is private. But it is open to everyone. Just don’t be afraid. Make a reservation.

Come and leave happily.

A bit longer and under the influence of Cava from the disheveled in all senses card (just 12 Euro for a bottle of wine, any type from Petrus to any of the dry ones) I would start to write slogans and odes for this place, but I better shut up now.

You yourself come to Barcelona and find Da Greco. And you will say — «I love it»!

And it will really be so!