Connecticut's Barcelona named best wine restaurant in America

Barcelona Restaurant & Wine Bar has been selected as one of America’s 100 Best Wine Restaurants of 2011 by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. The editors of Wine Enthusiast Magazine hand-picked Barcelona Restaurant & Wine Bar as one of the premier dining establishments based on the restaurant’s wine selection and unique gastronomy.

“We are thrilled to be nationally recognized for the unique wine and food experience we bring to our customers,” says Wine & Spirits Director, Gretchen Thomas. Thomas, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, supervises the largest Spanish wine program in the United States, managing 200 labels from 11 countries. She oversees all wine, spirits and beer selections for all Barcelona restaurants. Thomas is also responsible for all wine and mixology training and development, seasonal cocktail creations and coordinating beverage themed events including wine dinners, wine classes and cocktail classes.

Barcelona Restaurant & Wine Bar has consistently earned high praise for its exceptional food, outstanding wine and lively atmosphere. Since 1996, co-owners Sasa Mahr-Batuz and Andy Pforzheimer have been entertaining people at their wine and tapas bars with great wine lists and small plates of tantalizing food since 1996. Their passion for the high quality food they offer is driven by fresh produce from local markets and nearby farms, and by imported Spanish spices, rich olive oils, vinegars, fine cheeses, olives and savory cured meats. Trips throughout Spain are a regular are a regular expedition for the entire Barcelona team, where they soak up, and bring home ideas and inspiration for creating mouthwatering dishes, delicious wine, and creative cocktails.

Today, they are the largest Spanish restaurant group in the United States, including six locations in Connecticut: South Norwalk, Greenwich, Fairfield, West Hartford, Stamford and New Haven.