I ended up at Hush Hush because my kids (well, one daughter, two nieces) were on the hind end of breakfast at Alsur on the plaza and I just wanted a cortado. They suggested I sit with them but their impromptu 'review' of Alsur was kind of meh so I said "see ya over there" and wandered in to an immediately calming atmosphere - mind you, I don't mean the café is a tranquilizer, just that it is a kind of tranquil oasis in Barcelona and even within the immediate area of the plaza, which is in the Gothic 'hood so is always busy. It is small, and has the coziness of a small place that wants to be cozy. The youngish rogue behind the counter was buzzing to ensure the quickest service possible to the several patrons, and the youngish woman that was his colleague was friendly in welcoming me after serving someone waiting at the bar. I asked about a cortado and was happy to be asked a couple of clarifying questions that ensured that I got what I wanted and not someone else's idea of a cortado. The youngish rogue-looking barista seemed just the right amount of outgoing for me so I struck of conversation about the café, his nationality, their menu, and he was enthusiastic about conversing, as well as interesting and playful. My companions arrived and we all sat in the 'back' - mind you, it's a small place - and I remarked at how much I liked the place already. We noted that their kitchen was a space about the size of a large sub-zero refrigerator (I'm not kidding); I think the only thing they can do is make hot and cold sandwiches. I would have tried one if I were hungry. The cortado was very good, as was the service and of course the staff, with whom we talked some more. I came back the next day and was immediately recognized and given a welcome back and a smile. The second day was even better than the first, and a local sitting at the bar recognized me and the sriracha shirt I had been wearing the day before and struck up conversation with me about my shirt as he traded playful banter with the female barista - he was clearly a long, long-time customer. I felt utterly happy that this place exists. Simple, but one of my top memories of Barcelona. read more