Dinner before a date is not a formality: it is the part that decides whether the evening will be comfortable or awkward. These are the neighbourhoods we point people to when they ask, all a short ride from the penthouse.
Sants and Hostafrancs
A neighbourhood for locals, not tourists: old-school bars around the market and Creu Coberta, market cooking and local prices. The obvious choice if you arrive by train or from the airport and do not want to go round in circles.
Poble-sec
Carrer de Blai is for standing tapas and noise; the streets around it have small places where you can have dinner at ten without being hurried. Always book, even midweek.
What actually matters
It is not the menu. It is space between tables, music you can talk over, and being able to pay without drawing attention. With those three, anywhere will do.