Awarded the HARTFORD COURANT's highest 4-star rating, Barcelona's rustic-cum-contemporary exterior offers the first hint that something unique awaits inside. Follow your instincts across the threshold, and you'll be greeted by a striking interior defined by dramatic artwork, a play of walnut and glass accents, and the restaurant's trademark 20-foot red barn door, behind which a large party facility accommodates private functions. The flamboyant decor is a suitable reflection of the equally dynamic Spanish and tapas carte du jour. An annual winner in CONNECTICUT MAGAZINE's "Best Of" competition, the menu of small plates, large plates, and dishes for the table offers guests the opportunity to graze, sample, and be as adventurous as they like. But here, the food is meant to fuel sociability, which it does. In fact, Barcelona is Hartford's premier haven of upscale mixing, with a busy late-night bar scene fueled by fine wine, cool cocktails and a laid-back professional crowd. Looking for alfresco? Barcelona's heated outdoor patio is delicious from April through October.