tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26424357920840612732024-03-14T14:05:14.352+08:00Happy HoursLife on the road with constant travel, good food, fine drinks, interesting people and everyday adventuresHAPPY HOURShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018535138367783812noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642435792084061273.post-68601310445207550832010-01-31T22:19:00.005+08:002010-01-31T22:50:07.769+08:00Barcelona Blog<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S2WYD7-NmcI/AAAAAAAAE_M/XTbJHwRpcSA/s1600-h/barcelona.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432915718898031042" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S2WYD7-NmcI/AAAAAAAAE_M/XTbJHwRpcSA/s400/barcelona.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div>Too many posts about Barcelona. Way too many. A torrent, almost. But then I did and I do and I will always have a lot to say about this wonderful city. Barcelona stirred me hard. And it was rock n roll all the Rambla way</div><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/best-tapas-bars-in-barcelona.html">Tapas Tapas Tapas</a></div><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/vinoteka-torres-barcelona.html">Torres and Tapas, with Jiminez and Jerez</a></div><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/ciutat-comtal-barcelona.html">Point and Ye Shall Eat</a></div><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/la-bodegueta-barcelona.html">I am searching, in the rain </a></div><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/tapas-24-barcelona.html">Chocolate Balls with Olive Oil ?</a></div><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/breakfast-in-boqueria.html">Food Porn</a></div><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/boqueria-barcelona.html">Market of Sensory Overload</a></div><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/gaudi-in-barcelona.html">The Building is running away ! Call the Police</a></div><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/catalan-christmas-barcelona.html">Catalan Christmas</a></div><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/christmas-lights-barcelona.html">Feliz Navidad</a></div><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/barcelona-font-de-canaletes.html">Fountain For Footballers </a></div><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/this-is-not-japan.html">This is not Japan</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div> </div>HAPPY HOURShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018535138367783812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642435792084061273.post-85313330517313936932010-01-31T20:05:00.006+08:002010-01-31T22:51:37.403+08:00Best Tapas Bars in Barcelona<span style="font-size:180%;">Tapas Tapas Tapas </span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"></span><br /><br /><embed pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="800" height="533" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fhappyhours.argha%2Falbumid%2F5432850147251212257%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US"></embed><br /><br /><br />Some of these I researched - asking friends, scouring Chowhound.com and countless other websites, and googling bloggers. Some I merely chanced upon, lead by my nose, with a long queue outside always being a positive sign. I didn't make it to all of them - hey I only had 4 days. Anyway here's my very personal and highly unscientific list of the best Tapas joints in Barcelona.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S2WLG-TRGuI/AAAAAAAAE-Q/GzqPm6cZJdI/s1600-h/Tapas+bar+list.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432901477411658466" style="WIDTH: 462px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 357px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S2WLG-TRGuI/AAAAAAAAE-Q/GzqPm6cZJdI/s400/Tapas+bar+list.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/best-tapas-bars-in-barcelona.html">Tapas Tapas Tapas</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/vinoteka-torres-barcelona.html">Torres and Tapas, with Jiminez and Jerez</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/ciutat-comtal-barcelona.html">Point and Ye Shall Eat</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/la-bodegueta-barcelona.html">I am searching, in the rain </a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/tapas-24-barcelona.html">Chocolate Balls with Olive Oil ?</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/breakfast-in-boqueria.html">Food Porn</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/boqueria-barcelona.html">Market of Sensory Overload</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/gaudi-in-barcelona.html">The Building is running away ! Call the Police</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/catalan-christmas-barcelona.html">Catalan Christmas</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/christmas-lights-barcelona.html">Feliz Navidad</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/barcelona-font-de-canaletes.html">Fountain For Footballers </a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/this-is-not-japan.html">This is not Japan</a>HAPPY HOURShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018535138367783812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642435792084061273.post-59366015659424230942010-01-31T19:13:00.007+08:002010-01-31T23:06:23.067+08:00Vinoteka Torres, Barcelona<span style="font-size:180%;">My last meal in Barcelona</span><br />La Vinoteka Torres, a stylish Wine and Tapas bar from the winemaker Torres.<br />Matching Torres wines with the cooking of Manuel Jiminez.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S2Vm1MLTxjI/AAAAAAAAE9E/DOdbQDEYOOs/s1600-h/IMG_0250.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432861589480130098" style="WIDTH: 367px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 484px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S2Vm1MLTxjI/AAAAAAAAE9E/DOdbQDEYOOs/s400/IMG_0250.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />First, a tasting of Torres' olive oil with a delicious warm bread<br />and a glass of Jerez' finest: Tio Pepe sherry, served slightly chilled<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S2Vm1aY3dwI/AAAAAAAAE9M/2PalXzYgNY8/s1600-h/IMG_0249.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432861593295091458" style="WIDTH: 395px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 469px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S2Vm1aY3dwI/AAAAAAAAE9M/2PalXzYgNY8/s400/IMG_0249.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Seitos Marinades: Meaty anchovies in oil, with a few specks of parsley<br /><em>Vino: Torres Fransola</em><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S2Vm0DuJxiI/AAAAAAAAE80/_txDVP1nr_c/s1600-h/IMG_0252.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432861570030487074" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S2Vm0DuJxiI/AAAAAAAAE80/_txDVP1nr_c/s400/IMG_0252.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Gentlemen prefer Black.</div><br /><div></div><div>Arroz Negre, cooked with squid ink and garnished with squid strips and a sprig of parsley</div><em>Vino: Torres Gran Coronas<br /></em><div></div><br /><div>Sign off: a glass of Torres 5 year old brandy and a Cafe Solo</div><div></div><div>A polished, perfectly proportioned and beautifully served finale to my Barcelona fiesta.<br /></div><div><br /><em><a href="http://www.lavinotecatorres.com/">La Vinoteka Torres</a>, Passeig de Gracia 78, Barcelona. Ph: 902 520 522 / 932 726 625 </em></div><em></em><br /><p><em><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/best-tapas-bars-in-barcelona.html">Tapas Tapas Tapas</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/vinoteka-torres-barcelona.html">Torres and Tapas, with Jiminez and Jerez</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/ciutat-comtal-barcelona.html">Point and Ye Shall Eat</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/la-bodegueta-barcelona.html">I am searching, in the rain </a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/tapas-24-barcelona.html">Chocolate Balls with Olive Oil ?</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/breakfast-in-boqueria.html">Food Porn</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/boqueria-barcelona.html">Market of Sensory Overload</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/gaudi-in-barcelona.html">The Building is running away ! Call the Police</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/catalan-christmas-barcelona.html">Catalan Christmas</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/christmas-lights-barcelona.html">Feliz Navidad</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/barcelona-font-de-canaletes.html">Fountain For Footballers </a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/this-is-not-japan.html">This is not Japan</a></em></p><p><em></p></em>HAPPY HOURShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018535138367783812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642435792084061273.post-49218608023772012362010-01-30T22:44:00.004+08:002010-01-31T22:52:47.395+08:00Ciutat Comtal, Barcelona<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S2RF1NG6VWI/AAAAAAAAE3w/2MHZBikJX7A/s1600-h/IMG_0213.jpg"></a><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">My first meal in Barcelona </span><br />Landed at Barcelona Airport: 11:35 am<br />Arrived at Hotel Catalunya on La Ramblas: 1 pm<br />Took up prime position at the bar counter at Ciutat Comtal: 1:15 pm<br />Why waste time settling in when there's good Tapas waiting ?<br /><p><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S2RF1NG6VWI/AAAAAAAAE3w/2MHZBikJX7A/s1600-h/IMG_0213.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 349px; HEIGHT: 476px" height="505" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S2RF1NG6VWI/AAAAAAAAE3w/2MHZBikJX7A/s400/IMG_0213.jpg" width="379" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Started with a trio of Pinchos: Piquilo Pepper stuffed with Tuna,<br />Jamon Iberico Croqueta,<br />Anchovies, Eggplant and Roast Pepper on Pan Con Tomate<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S2RF1epoysI/AAAAAAAAE34/ysTSIXx1Y2s/s1600-h/DSC00177.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 492px; HEIGHT: 394px" height="352" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S2RF1epoysI/AAAAAAAAE34/ysTSIXx1Y2s/s400/DSC00177.JPG" width="456" border="0" /></a></p>Fried eggs with Artichokes: I watched the guy next to me take a piece of bread and use it to press the fried eggs and let the soft yolk ooze into the crispy artichokes. He made a bit of an artichoke-egg mush and mopped it all up with the bread. I did the same.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S2RF2EsRErI/AAAAAAAAE4I/8q7JMpzgeRo/s1600-h/DSC00179.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S2RF2EsRErI/AAAAAAAAE4I/8q7JMpzgeRo/s400/DSC00179.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />In Spanish Tapas bars, if you don't speak Spanish, have no fear. Point and Ye Shall Eat.<br /><br />I pointed at the shrimps, and they arrived barbecued on a skewer with cherry tomatoes, served on a piece of Pan Con Tomate. Gambas on a stick.<br /><br />I casually nodded at the squid, and they came tossed with garlic, served on a tiny portion of seafood paella.<br /><br />A fiery Catalan beauty took up the bar stool next to mine. I pointed at her. The waiter gave me a tissue.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S2RF1376KSI/AAAAAAAAE4A/VpYZezzutpU/s1600-h/DSC00178.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S2RF1376KSI/AAAAAAAAE4A/VpYZezzutpU/s400/DSC00178.JPG" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432545154821408882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S2RHCRNmSHI/AAAAAAAAE4U/094pH5g-tn0/s400/DSC00180.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432545164035174802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S2RHCziVMZI/AAAAAAAAE4c/PdwWqAjJsMc/s400/DSC00183.JPG" border="0" /><br /><em>Ciutat Comtal ( Cuidad Contal) Rambla de Catalunya, 18, Barcelona, Spain Ph: 93.318.19.97<br /></em><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/best-tapas-bars-in-barcelona.html">Tapas Tapas Tapas</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/vinoteka-torres-barcelona.html">Torres and Tapas, with Jiminez and Jerez</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/ciutat-comtal-barcelona.html">Point and Ye Shall Eat</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/la-bodegueta-barcelona.html">I am searching, in the rain </a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/tapas-24-barcelona.html">Chocolate Balls with Olive Oil ?</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/breakfast-in-boqueria.html">Food Porn</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/boqueria-barcelona.html">Market of Sensory Overload</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/gaudi-in-barcelona.html">The Building is running away ! Call the Police</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/catalan-christmas-barcelona.html">Catalan Christmas</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/christmas-lights-barcelona.html">Feliz Navidad</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/barcelona-font-de-canaletes.html">Fountain For Footballers </a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/this-is-not-japan.html">This is not Japan</a></div>HAPPY HOURShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018535138367783812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642435792084061273.post-56947150715398183862010-01-30T20:17:00.006+08:002010-01-31T22:53:13.115+08:00La Bodegueta, Barcelona<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S2QjvizQwvI/AAAAAAAAE3k/-yxFgpnnPAA/s1600-h/DSC00263.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432506350218298098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 453px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 362px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S2QjvizQwvI/AAAAAAAAE3k/-yxFgpnnPAA/s400/DSC00263.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"> Worth The Search , even on a Rainy Day<br /></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">"Best hole-in-the-wall Tapas Bar in Barcelona": this is how experts I rely on had described this place, so of course it was on my must-try list. But I just couldn't find it. I missed it on Day 1, missed it again on Day 2. Finally on Day 3, after a determined trudge through heavy rain, lots of walking back and forth, unfurling of my tattered map and pointing and waving of my iPhone GPS to the utter bemusement of Barcelononians - I FOUND IT. </div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center">It was right on a main street corner by the way.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://localhost:2258/3d1aa951488b2df704047c6cca031772/image/d37c0fbaeef5593c.jpg"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S2WQDAzStjI/AAAAAAAAE-o/nHJ9H5yZSCU/s1600-h/DSC00262.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432906906921514546" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S2WQDAzStjI/AAAAAAAAE-o/nHJ9H5yZSCU/s400/DSC00262.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left">Taking off my drenched overcoat and cap, I waited, Vino in hand, and watched the crowds. </div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><a href="http://localhost:2258/3d1aa951488b2df704047c6cca031772/image/dc86573d10534ceb.jpg"></a></div><div align="left">Small bar, though hardly a hole-in-the wall. Brickwork bar with wooden beams, sherry casks lining the walls, Estrella Damn on tap. Constant stream of customers and Catalan chatter. </div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">Old people, young people, office-goers, students. Great atmosphere. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Got a table by the door after ten minutes. </div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S2WNzPYUbtI/AAAAAAAAE-c/OuqkWjhbuVw/s1600-h/DSC00259.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432904436933750482" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S2WNzPYUbtI/AAAAAAAAE-c/OuqkWjhbuVw/s400/DSC00259.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Pimenton Padron: small green peppers, roasted with salt flakes and slivers of garlic. A glass of fresh Estrella. Cold and Rain outside, warm and cosy inside.<br /><br />Followed by my best Patatas Bravas in Barcelona. Cubes of fried potato, crisp outside with golden brown edges, and soft and mushy inside, smothered in a piquant, sweet and spicy red chili mayo- sauce. I wanted to burst into song.<br /><br />And some wonderful Tuna preserved in vinegar, with a glass of Vino Rossado. Made a mental note to take back lots of tinned seafood from Spain.<br /><br />All in all a simple but excellent meal. Every dish a delight, made even tastier by the long frustrating search and the great atmosphere when I finally found it.<br /><br /><em></em><br /><em>La Bodegueta, Rambla de Catalunya 100, Barcelona. Ph: 932 154 894<br /><br /></em><em></em><br /><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/best-tapas-bars-in-barcelona.html">Tapas Tapas Tapas</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/vinoteka-torres-barcelona.html">Torres and Tapas, with Jiminez and Jerez</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/ciutat-comtal-barcelona.html">Point and Ye Shall Eat</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/la-bodegueta-barcelona.html">I am searching, in the rain </a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/tapas-24-barcelona.html">Chocolate Balls with Olive Oil ?</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/breakfast-in-boqueria.html">Food Porn</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/boqueria-barcelona.html">Market of Sensory Overload</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/gaudi-in-barcelona.html">The Building is running away ! Call the Police</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/catalan-christmas-barcelona.html">Catalan Christmas</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/christmas-lights-barcelona.html">Feliz Navidad</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/barcelona-font-de-canaletes.html">Fountain For Footballers </a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/this-is-not-japan.html">This is not Japan</a>HAPPY HOURShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018535138367783812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642435792084061273.post-4035823200703696532010-01-30T19:42:00.005+08:002010-01-31T22:53:54.148+08:00Tapas 24, Barcelona<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:180%;">Tapas Experimental </span></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S2QbVRwSyZI/AAAAAAAAE2s/uUd-a0ql76Y/s1600-h/DSC00199.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 525px; HEIGHT: 440px" height="381" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S2QbVRwSyZI/AAAAAAAAE2s/uUd-a0ql76Y/s400/DSC00199.JPG" width="476" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Traditional Tapas with a creative twist and fine ingredients. Offshoot of the famous Commerc 24 by Michelin starred chef Carles Abellan, disciple of Feran Adria. Trendy feel, creative 'kitsch' decor, hip but cosy. Definitely a vibe that there's something going on here, but also a bit of the "look at me, I'm so smart" primping.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S2QbUVwlo_I/AAAAAAAAE2c/GKf4eKWjcaE/s1600-h/IMG_0220.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S2QbUVwlo_I/AAAAAAAAE2c/GKf4eKWjcaE/s400/IMG_0220.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The Patatas Bravas here were served as french fries instead of the usual wedges or cubes, smothered in a delicously spicy red chili-tomato-aioli<br /><br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S2QbU0IgkbI/AAAAAAAAE2k/p1OCHSppoEQ/s1600-h/IMG_0221.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 382px; HEIGHT: 490px" height="449" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S2QbU0IgkbI/AAAAAAAAE2k/p1OCHSppoEQ/s400/IMG_0221.jpg" width="347" border="0" /></a> </div>The Tapas 24 'Bikini' : a fancy grilled ham n cheese sandwich. Jamon Iberico, molten mozzarella and Truffles, sandwiched into a tostada . Of course it tasted gooood. Crispy and creamy<br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432846629216577442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S2VZOY2h56I/AAAAAAAAE48/gdNr-CS0Nio/s400/IMG_0360.jpg" border="0" />The menu came printed on a paper bag which was also the storage for the cutlery. One of those oh-so-fashionable quirks I guess. I bet every tourist takes one of these home, just like I did.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432846616331135170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S2VZNo2ZqMI/AAAAAAAAE40/N5d-1cZ8qx8/s400/IMG_0359.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"></p>I believe they are also open for breakfast from 8 am when the chef will cook the eggs any way you like it and then add his own eggy twist. Definitely worth a try.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://www.comerc24.com/tapac24/english/index.html">Tapac 24</a> C/Diputacio 269, Barcelona, Ph: 934 880 977<br /></p><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/best-tapas-bars-in-barcelona.html">Tapas Tapas Tapas</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/vinoteka-torres-barcelona.html">Torres and Tapas, with Jiminez and Jerez</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/ciutat-comtal-barcelona.html">Point and Ye Shall Eat</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/la-bodegueta-barcelona.html">I am searching, in the rain </a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/tapas-24-barcelona.html">Chocolate Balls with Olive Oil ?</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/breakfast-in-boqueria.html">Food Porn</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/boqueria-barcelona.html">Market of Sensory Overload</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/gaudi-in-barcelona.html">The Building is running away ! Call the Police</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/catalan-christmas-barcelona.html">Catalan Christmas</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/christmas-lights-barcelona.html">Feliz Navidad</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/barcelona-font-de-canaletes.html">Fountain For Footballers </a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/this-is-not-japan.html">This is not Japan</a><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"></a></div>HAPPY HOURShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018535138367783812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642435792084061273.post-46337944447129476302010-01-17T20:31:00.015+08:002010-01-31T22:54:24.787+08:00Breakfast in Boqueria<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1MMWzl8YdI/AAAAAAAAErI/GL7I8zEJSiQ/s1600-h/DSC00286.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427695561857589714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 483px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 407px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1MMWzl8YdI/AAAAAAAAErI/GL7I8zEJSiQ/s400/DSC00286.JPG" border="0" /></a>Melt-in-the-mouth Baby Octopus, swirls of olive oil coloured with a pinch of saffron, and a dusting of pimenton. EXXXTACY<br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427721986140821362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1MkY5uAV3I/AAAAAAAAErU/xbgBgg5Y_4g/s400/DSC00287.JPG" border="0" /> This with a glass of beer and a hunk of crusty bread, at 8 am. A breakfast to end all breakfasts. An almost pornographic start to the day.<br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427723015089712674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1MlUy2ibiI/AAAAAAAAErc/dMbfGq2Yl28/s400/DSC00289.JPG" border="0" /> <div align="center"></div><div align="center">At Bar Central, Boqueria, Barcelona<br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427689669829962866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1MG_2FFrHI/AAAAAAAAEqw/5jV0dnAEl0A/s400/DSC00252.JPG" border="0" />Top of my breakfast bar list, and, as I discovered, top of many other people's lists : Bar Pinotoxo, on the right as soon as you enter the market. You get there by 7.30 am, otherwise forget about finding a seat.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427688519694718546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1MF85fellI/AAAAAAAAEqk/uqFmZi4mADw/s400/DSC00246.JPG" border="0" /> I start with a <em>Pan Con Tomate</em>, possibly, no definitely, the best bread in the world. Grilled bread rubbed - while still warm - with the cut end of a juicy tomato and a little bit of garlic. And <em>Pincho Tortilla</em>: a small wedge of fluffy potato omelette - the definitive fast food in Madrid and Barcelona.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427687601613637602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 488px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 344px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1MFHdX5B-I/AAAAAAAAEqQ/dGggJmU081Y/s400/DSC00248.JPG" border="0" /></div>A few tortillas and some chorizo and lentils later: a hearty<br /><br />"rabbit's tummy" stew. Rich and warm. Satisfaction Guaranteed.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427694879629705426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1MLvGGJANI/AAAAAAAAEq8/_934cSTm3bk/s400/DSC00250.JPG" border="0" /> Then I turn my attention to the fresh seafood that starts arriving from the market </div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427725265760955506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1MnXzQYLHI/AAAAAAAAEro/6XqHO7SzDIQ/s400/DSC00288.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center">And let the expert prepare it the way he likes it </p><p>And it goes on and on. Difficult to stop really. Almost impossible to tear yourself away from the stool on which you've been perched since early morning. But tear away you must. You do need to keep some space for lunch. </p><p><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/best-tapas-bars-in-barcelona.html">Tapas Tapas Tapas</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/vinoteka-torres-barcelona.html">Torres and Tapas, with Jiminez and Jerez</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/ciutat-comtal-barcelona.html">Point and Ye Shall Eat</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/la-bodegueta-barcelona.html">I am searching, in the rain </a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/tapas-24-barcelona.html">Chocolate Balls with Olive Oil ?</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/breakfast-in-boqueria.html">Food Porn</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/boqueria-barcelona.html">Market of Sensory Overload</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/gaudi-in-barcelona.html">The Building is running away ! Call the Police</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/catalan-christmas-barcelona.html">Catalan Christmas</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/christmas-lights-barcelona.html">Feliz Navidad</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/barcelona-font-de-canaletes.html">Fountain For Footballers </a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/this-is-not-japan.html">This is not Japan</a></p>HAPPY HOURShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018535138367783812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642435792084061273.post-27234259363133914442010-01-17T17:43:00.008+08:002010-01-31T23:02:47.093+08:00Boqueria, Barcelona<span style="font-size:180%;">Market of Sensory Overload</span><br /><br />Mercat De Boqueria, the biggest, the most varied, the most interesting food market I have seen anywhere in the world. And of course nowhere - Tokyo's Tsukiji, Rome's Testaccio and London's Smithfield included - do you get such an incredible breakfast right in the middle of the market.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><embed pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="800" height="533" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fhappyhours.argha%2Falbumid%2F5427526395972298993%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US"></embed><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1LfK9rTMNI/AAAAAAAAEpU/pwwU2H-zV9o/s1600-h/DSC00256.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427645880382730450" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1LfK9rTMNI/AAAAAAAAEpU/pwwU2H-zV9o/s400/DSC00256.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Sarah Palin may have put lipstick on a pig, but here they go further<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1LfKYjxhgI/AAAAAAAAEpM/_1I6Z-fFPLw/s1600-h/DSC00253.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427645870419052034" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1LfKYjxhgI/AAAAAAAAEpM/_1I6Z-fFPLw/s400/DSC00253.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Some of those wildly luscious Serrano hams are now in my chiller<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1LhoPBoq-I/AAAAAAAAEpg/FGA5fTSLKHs/s1600-h/DSC00268.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427648582279277538" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1LhoPBoq-I/AAAAAAAAEpg/FGA5fTSLKHs/s400/DSC00268.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The possibilities<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1LhotWGY2I/AAAAAAAAEpo/cHOiGBrYbUQ/s1600-h/DSC00276.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427648590418174818" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1LhotWGY2I/AAAAAAAAEpo/cHOiGBrYbUQ/s400/DSC00276.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Who sang " strawberry fields forever"<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1LjH_TcvnI/AAAAAAAAEqE/lY0lQS8bsIw/s1600-h/DSC00279.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427650227326467698" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1LjH_TcvnI/AAAAAAAAEqE/lY0lQS8bsIw/s400/DSC00279.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And then the breakfasts. That of course is another story<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/best-tapas-bars-in-barcelona.html">Tapas Tapas Tapas</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/vinoteka-torres-barcelona.html">Torres and Tapas, with Jiminez and Jerez</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/ciutat-comtal-barcelona.html">Point and Ye Shall Eat</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/la-bodegueta-barcelona.html">I am searching, in the rain </a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/tapas-24-barcelona.html">Chocolate Balls with Olive Oil ?</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/breakfast-in-boqueria.html">Food Porn</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/boqueria-barcelona.html">Market of Sensory Overload</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/gaudi-in-barcelona.html">The Building is running away ! Call the Police</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/catalan-christmas-barcelona.html">Catalan Christmas</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/christmas-lights-barcelona.html">Feliz Navidad</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/barcelona-font-de-canaletes.html">Fountain For Footballers </a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/this-is-not-japan.html">This is not Japan</a>HAPPY HOURShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018535138367783812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642435792084061273.post-60086317057832663482010-01-17T11:48:00.020+08:002010-01-31T22:55:28.605+08:00Gaudi in Barcelona<embed pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="800" height="533" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fhappyhours.argha%2Falbumid%2F5427548740229229569%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US"></embed><br /><br /><div align="center">The building is running away ! Call the Police<br /></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">I would really like to have some of whatever Gaudi was on, when he designed these buildings.</span> </div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/happyhours.argha/GaudiBarcelona?feat=embedwebsite"></a></div><p align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/happyhours.argha/GaudiBarcelona?feat=embedwebsite"></a></p><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><div align="center">Somehow, looking at those tangled, jangled curves and those impossible windows and the anything-but-linear thinking behind every angled facade, every kaleidoscopic tile, I felt right at home. And I felt that I could do anything, anything. Funny ? Maybe, but that's what I felt<br /><br />My favourite: Casa Battlo, also known as " Skull and Bones" </div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427585658448156610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1KoZlfOl8I/AAAAAAAAEnE/2hLTm2fXPeg/s400/DSC00205.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">First glimpse of Casa Battlo at night. I knew I had to go back there the next morning<br /><br /><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427585666326775570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1KoaC1oxxI/AAAAAAAAEnM/vKFpYhTJbWQ/s400/DSC00314.JPG" border="0" /> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1KuF9XLlzI/AAAAAAAAEow/0xHzRqGv-uY/s1600-h/DSC00317.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427591918329239346" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1KuF9XLlzI/AAAAAAAAEow/0xHzRqGv-uY/s400/DSC00317.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center">The window of a Barcelonian<br /><br /></p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1KuhK9f6II/AAAAAAAAEo4/Jy1dq6HcoBg/s1600-h/DSC00324.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427592385836083330" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1KuhK9f6II/AAAAAAAAEo4/Jy1dq6HcoBg/s400/DSC00324.JPG" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427586340158907714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1KpBRDvJUI/AAAAAAAAEnY/shmhB8TbFzM/s400/DSC00319.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">So you think you can tell, heaven from hell ...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427586352215739730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1KpB9-TzVI/AAAAAAAAEng/tkkIBALSvn8/s400/DSC00322.JPG" border="0" /> </p><br /><p></p><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427587840196894146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1KqYlIqXcI/AAAAAAAAEn8/dKE6Eqdh0hk/s400/DSC00351.JPG" border="0" /> I wasn't drunk. Inspired by Gaudi, I took these shots from behind a kaleidoscopic glass tile. </p><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1Ku1w6MhDI/AAAAAAAAEpA/VkdSP_i30RE/s1600-h/DSC00336.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427592739620160562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1Ku1w6MhDI/AAAAAAAAEpA/VkdSP_i30RE/s400/DSC00336.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><p align="center">I somehow think the effect is appropriate<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427587234385294834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1Kp1UT69fI/AAAAAAAAEnw/z-kL2vXVemc/s400/DSC00329.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427587845094231138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1KqY3YRzGI/AAAAAAAAEoE/1Avg36SOSwU/s400/DSC00363.JPG" border="0" /><br />That crazy terrace<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427587853350214722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1KqZWIqHEI/AAAAAAAAEoM/__917qUKaW0/s400/DSC00366.JPG" border="0" /> Look at this and tell me if you don't think this building has life<br /></p><br /><p align="center"><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br /></p><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427554220507049186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1KLzqB-rOI/AAAAAAAAEmc/c4zfOKtXEMY/s400/DSC00187.JPG" border="0" /> La Segrada Familia was a bit of a disappointment because of all the construction going on. This is the only part that was without cranes and scaffolds<br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427554763972824962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1KMTSmUT4I/AAAAAAAAEmw/4VliTo-ndmQ/s400/DSC00428.JPG" border="0" /> La Pedrera<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427554756414195394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1KMS2cMxsI/AAAAAAAAEmo/lh39XRqc6ac/s400/DSC00426.JPG" border="0" /> When I first saw La Pedrera, admittedly after a lot of Vino, I could swear it was moving. The building was running away ! I was ready to call the police.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427555415632662226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1KM5OOITtI/AAAAAAAAEm4/8asaJZt1XSs/s400/DSC00434.JPG" border="0" /> But I did not have the police phone number. I did not even have a phone<br /></p><br /><p align="center"> </p><p align="center"><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/best-tapas-bars-in-barcelona.html">Tapas Tapas Tapas</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/vinoteka-torres-barcelona.html">Torres and Tapas, with Jiminez and Jerez</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/ciutat-comtal-barcelona.html">Point and Ye Shall Eat</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/la-bodegueta-barcelona.html">I am searching, in the rain </a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/tapas-24-barcelona.html">Chocolate Balls with Olive Oil ?</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/breakfast-in-boqueria.html">Food Porn</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/boqueria-barcelona.html">Market of Sensory Overload</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/gaudi-in-barcelona.html">The Building is running away ! Call the Police</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/catalan-christmas-barcelona.html">Catalan Christmas</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/christmas-lights-barcelona.html">Feliz Navidad</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/barcelona-font-de-canaletes.html">Fountain For Footballers </a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/this-is-not-japan.html">This is not Japan</a></p>HAPPY HOURShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018535138367783812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642435792084061273.post-31217335910956080612010-01-17T10:56:00.005+08:002010-01-31T22:56:08.895+08:00Catalan Christmas , BarcelonaCame out of Mass to find senior citizens doing the two-step in front of the cathedral, while a band jazzed it up under the sun. My first Catalan Christmas.<br /><br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/td9rd0n459A&hl=" width="425" height="344" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" fs="1&" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always"></embed><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/best-tapas-bars-in-barcelona.html">Tapas Tapas Tapas</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/vinoteka-torres-barcelona.html">Torres and Tapas, with Jiminez and Jerez</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/ciutat-comtal-barcelona.html">Point and Ye Shall Eat</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/la-bodegueta-barcelona.html">I am searching, in the rain </a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/tapas-24-barcelona.html">Chocolate Balls with Olive Oil ?</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/breakfast-in-boqueria.html">Food Porn</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/boqueria-barcelona.html">Market of Sensory Overload</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/gaudi-in-barcelona.html">The Building is running away ! Call the Police</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/catalan-christmas-barcelona.html">Catalan Christmas</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/christmas-lights-barcelona.html">Feliz Navidad</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/barcelona-font-de-canaletes.html">Fountain For Footballers </a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/this-is-not-japan.html">This is not Japan</a>HAPPY HOURShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018535138367783812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642435792084061273.post-65153832796989268092010-01-17T10:42:00.006+08:002010-01-31T22:56:39.817+08:00Christmas Lights, Barcelona<div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">When they really lit up the city </span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1J7DU06BQI/AAAAAAAAEjI/Rq6fdg3jt20/s1600-h/DSC00193.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427535797995308290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1J7DU06BQI/AAAAAAAAEjI/Rq6fdg3jt20/s400/DSC00193.JPG" border="0" /></a> On La Rambla</div><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1J6MYFBe2I/AAAAAAAAEi8/3VhyqBhu52o/s1600-h/DSC00209.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427534853975407458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1J6MYFBe2I/AAAAAAAAEi8/3VhyqBhu52o/s400/DSC00209.JPG" border="0" /></a>In front of Gaudi's Casa Battlo<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1J6LiKfwbI/AAAAAAAAEi0/ZyKcdmHU8kY/s1600-h/DSC00210.JPG"></a><br /><div><br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1J5C4X2FpI/AAAAAAAAEiQ/7QvrRP3GogE/s1600-h/DSC00239.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1J5C4X2FpI/AAAAAAAAEiQ/7QvrRP3GogE/s400/DSC00239.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br />Le Corte Ingles at the corner of Santa Ana<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1J5DCHVhUI/AAAAAAAAEiY/YfsDm3o2_pE/s1600-h/DSC00235.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1J5DCHVhUI/AAAAAAAAEiY/YfsDm3o2_pE/s400/DSC00235.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div>On Psg De Gracia<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/best-tapas-bars-in-barcelona.html">Tapas Tapas Tapas</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/vinoteka-torres-barcelona.html">Torres and Tapas, with Jiminez and Jerez</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/ciutat-comtal-barcelona.html">Point and Ye Shall Eat</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/la-bodegueta-barcelona.html">I am searching, in the rain </a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/tapas-24-barcelona.html">Chocolate Balls with Olive Oil ?</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/breakfast-in-boqueria.html">Food Porn</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/boqueria-barcelona.html">Market of Sensory Overload</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/gaudi-in-barcelona.html">The Building is running away ! Call the Police</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/catalan-christmas-barcelona.html">Catalan Christmas</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/christmas-lights-barcelona.html">Feliz Navidad</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/barcelona-font-de-canaletes.html">Fountain For Footballers </a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/this-is-not-japan.html">This is not Japan</a><br /><br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1J5DcfLc8I/AAAAAAAAEig/Rzsse-rpH0U/s1600-h/DSC00213.JPG"></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"></a></div></div><br /></div>HAPPY HOURShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018535138367783812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642435792084061273.post-12263075222512784712010-01-17T10:38:00.003+08:002010-01-31T22:57:10.810+08:00Barcelona Font de Canaletes<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1J4TjDuCzI/AAAAAAAAEhs/KiymPddstxc/s1600-h/DSC00230.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1J4TjDuCzI/AAAAAAAAEhs/KiymPddstxc/s400/DSC00230.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1J4T6OebUI/AAAAAAAAEh0/a8KvSXBuo_8/s1600-h/DSC00227.JPG"></a>The fountain in Placa Catalunya where traditionally Barcelona FC players<br />and supporters dunk themselves after a major victory </div><br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1J4UPlFdeI/AAAAAAAAEh8/CrVMH9JS53I/s1600-h/DSC00220.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1J4UPlFdeI/AAAAAAAAEh8/CrVMH9JS53I/s400/DSC00220.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1J4UvyX7MI/AAAAAAAAEiE/CshZpBCmLMQ/s1600-h/DSC00216.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1J4UvyX7MI/AAAAAAAAEiE/CshZpBCmLMQ/s400/DSC00216.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/best-tapas-bars-in-barcelona.html">Tapas Tapas Tapas</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/vinoteka-torres-barcelona.html">Torres and Tapas, with Jiminez and Jerez</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/ciutat-comtal-barcelona.html">Point and Ye Shall Eat</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/la-bodegueta-barcelona.html">I am searching, in the rain </a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/tapas-24-barcelona.html">Chocolate Balls with Olive Oil ?</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/breakfast-in-boqueria.html">Food Porn</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/boqueria-barcelona.html">Market of Sensory Overload</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/gaudi-in-barcelona.html">The Building is running away ! Call the Police</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/catalan-christmas-barcelona.html">Catalan Christmas</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/christmas-lights-barcelona.html">Feliz Navidad</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/barcelona-font-de-canaletes.html">Fountain For Footballers </a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/this-is-not-japan.html">This is not Japan</a><br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"></a></div>HAPPY HOURShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018535138367783812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642435792084061273.post-82412108792239647942010-01-17T10:09:00.002+08:002010-01-31T22:57:34.214+08:00This is not Japan<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1JxaTnxEnI/AAAAAAAAEdo/Kr0p_b-nmMo/s1600-h/DSC00176.JPG"><img height="350" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1JxaTnxEnI/AAAAAAAAEdo/Kr0p_b-nmMo/s400/DSC00176.JPG" width="435" border="0" /></a> </div><p align="center">Ad in the inflight magazine on Vueling Airlines flight Madrid - Barcelona. I knew then that Barcelona was going to be something else. </p><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/best-tapas-bars-in-barcelona.html">Tapas Tapas Tapas</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/vinoteka-torres-barcelona.html">Torres and Tapas, with Jiminez and Jerez</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/ciutat-comtal-barcelona.html">Point and Ye Shall Eat</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/la-bodegueta-barcelona.html">I am searching, in the rain </a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/tapas-24-barcelona.html">Chocolate Balls with Olive Oil ?</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/breakfast-in-boqueria.html">Food Porn</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/boqueria-barcelona.html">Market of Sensory Overload</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/gaudi-in-barcelona.html">The Building is running away ! Call the Police</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/catalan-christmas-barcelona.html">Catalan Christmas</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/christmas-lights-barcelona.html">Feliz Navidad</a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/barcelona-font-de-canaletes.html">Fountain For Footballers </a><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/this-is-not-japan.html">This is not Japan</a><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"></a></div>HAPPY HOURShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018535138367783812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642435792084061273.post-88282327332040947342010-01-16T21:57:00.006+08:002010-01-16T22:18:28.489+08:00Madrid, Por Favor<span style="font-size:180%;">The next few posts are about my Madrid. </span><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427338769299671234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 409px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 292px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S1HH2vvQCMI/AAAAAAAAEcM/vJMEJOB3WCc/s400/Madrid+collage+1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">This is MADRID, POR FAVOR</span><br /><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/music-metro-madrileno.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Sudden bursts of enchanting music in the subway</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/art-madrid.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Chorizo and Dali, Anchovies and Picasso</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/breakfast-in-madrid.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Breakfast of Champions</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/jamon-jamon-everywhere.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Jamon Jamon everywhere</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/madrid-building-funk.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Constructivist Funk</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/madrid-on-sunday-madrid-on-monday.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Sun one Day, Snow the next</span></a>HAPPY HOURShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018535138367783812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642435792084061273.post-45280664187219563792010-01-11T00:48:00.002+08:002010-01-16T22:20:04.710+08:00Music Metro MadrilenoA sudden burst of music in a subway train in Madrid. These two guys just got up, played this enchanting tune, and left. Just like that. I didn't even have time to drop a few cents in their hat.<br /><br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aNZKpxIKM3E&hl=" width="425" height="344" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" fs="1&" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always"></embed><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">This is MADRID, POR FAVOR</span><br /><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/music-metro-madrileno.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Sudden bursts of enchanting music in the subway</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/art-madrid.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Chorizo and Dali, Anchovies and Picasso</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/breakfast-in-madrid.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Breakfast of Champions</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/jamon-jamon-everywhere.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Jamon Jamon everywhere</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/madrid-building-funk.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Constructivist Funk</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/madrid-on-sunday-madrid-on-monday.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Sun one Day, Snow the next</span></a>HAPPY HOURShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018535138367783812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642435792084061273.post-25354262251462213042010-01-10T23:19:00.002+08:002010-01-16T22:21:07.510+08:00Art Madrid: Reina Sofia<div align="center">Big regret: I couldn't make it either to The Prado or to Thyssen-Bornamisza. Why ? Don't ask.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">But I did go to <span style="font-size:180%;">Reina-Sofia </span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">It was a cold, rainy, snowy day. I fortified myself with a Chorizo Bocadillo - God I can feel the taste of that spicy salty chorizo even now - and a Cerveza, at this tiny bar just outside the museum.</span></span><br /><br /></div><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425143023507558386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0n61hPbT_I/AAAAAAAAEM4/UnrBiB-8k44/s400/Bocadillos.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425143948392183826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0n7rWtGuBI/AAAAAAAAENA/VXaH0HKVMEI/s400/DSC00136.JPG" border="0" />I peered out of the bar window, looked at the rain, pulled up my hood and went out in search of great art<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425144681812790498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0n8WC6NDOI/AAAAAAAAENM/O4TLD1y0zIg/s400/DSC00140.JPG" border="0" />Fellow art-lovers were queing up in the snow to get in </p><p><br /><br /> </p><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nyY0Q_2BI/AAAAAAAAEME/kRNyvPcmkLY/s1600-h/DSC00145.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425133734305191954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nyY0Q_2BI/AAAAAAAAEME/kRNyvPcmkLY/s400/DSC00145.JPG" border="0" /></a>It had snowed for a few hours, and the museum garden itself was a piece of art<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nxd_ZdRUI/AAAAAAAAEL4/K41prDKd9EE/s1600-h/DSC00156.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425132723681183042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nxd_ZdRUI/AAAAAAAAEL4/K41prDKd9EE/s400/DSC00156.JPG" border="0" /></a> Francis Picabia<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nxdABdG1I/AAAAAAAAELw/i2xrS_a1V7U/s1600-h/DSC00157.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425132706669075282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nxdABdG1I/AAAAAAAAELw/i2xrS_a1V7U/s400/DSC00157.JPG" border="0" /></a> Miro<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nxciCzdlI/AAAAAAAAELo/Jq_2HVICSd0/s1600-h/DSC00153.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425132698621670994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nxciCzdlI/AAAAAAAAELo/Jq_2HVICSd0/s400/DSC00153.JPG" border="0" /></a> Picasso<br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"></div><p></p><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nwG8zSdAI/AAAAAAAAELI/PqpPgzWqHZ4/s1600-h/IMG_0210.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nwG8zSdAI/AAAAAAAAELI/PqpPgzWqHZ4/s400/IMG_0210.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nwHd7ESBI/AAAAAAAAELQ/CNWdKkqnIQk/s1600-h/IMG_0211.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nwHd7ESBI/AAAAAAAAELQ/CNWdKkqnIQk/s400/IMG_0211.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>Dali<br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nwHsDGuDI/AAAAAAAAELY/y7nraSaQUOw/s1600-h/DSC00080.JPG"></a></div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nwH8PRtYI/AAAAAAAAELg/weWYBJnfIx4/s1600-h/DSC00150.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nwH8PRtYI/AAAAAAAAELg/weWYBJnfIx4/s400/DSC00150.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div>Ballerina<br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425134647038306066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nzN8dh5xI/AAAAAAAAEMY/xZyEbr5MWAg/s400/DSC00144.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><div></div><div>The food at the museum restaurant was no less artistic<br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425146705320170322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0n-L1D9U1I/AAAAAAAAENY/tXQaSdYAuzI/s400/Anchovies+with+Idiazabal+cheese+foam.jpg" border="0" /> </div><div>Anchovies with Idiazabal Cheese Foam, served on Pan Con Tomate</div><div><br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425147896412383954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 444px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 350px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0n_RKOeKtI/AAAAAAAAENk/2nLaHp4jOXE/s400/Risotto.jpg" border="0" /> Risotto<br /><br /><br />Inspired by all this, I took what I think is a great shot of black steel pipes nestling in the snow.<br />I named this photo " Dali Pipes"<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425149339372659826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0oAlJrApHI/AAAAAAAAENw/nysoOq6dTWA/s400/Dali+Pipes.jpg" border="0" /><br /></div><div align="center">Then I went back to the bar for another Bocadillo<br /><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"></a></div></div><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">This is MADRID, POR FAVOR</span><br /><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/music-metro-madrileno.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Sudden bursts of enchanting music in the subway</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/art-madrid.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Chorizo and Dali, Anchovies and Picasso</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/breakfast-in-madrid.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Breakfast of Champions</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/jamon-jamon-everywhere.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Jamon Jamon everywhere</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/madrid-building-funk.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Constructivist Funk</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/madrid-on-sunday-madrid-on-monday.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Sun one Day, Snow the next</span></a>HAPPY HOURShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018535138367783812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642435792084061273.post-8618869103078469622010-01-10T23:13:00.002+08:002010-01-16T22:21:56.901+08:00Breakfast in Madrid<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><em><span style="font-size:180%;">"Uno Cafe Solo, Uno Churros Por Favor"<br /><br />"Si, Senor"<br /></span><br /></em><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nuqmYSkiI/AAAAAAAAEK8/IFpHT19vn0I/s1600-h/DSC00080.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nuqmYSkiI/AAAAAAAAEK8/IFpHT19vn0I/s400/DSC00080.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The breakfast of champions</div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"></a></div><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">This is MADRID, POR FAVOR</span><br /><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/music-metro-madrileno.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Sudden bursts of enchanting music in the subway</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/art-madrid.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Chorizo and Dali, Anchovies and Picasso</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/breakfast-in-madrid.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Breakfast of Champions</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/jamon-jamon-everywhere.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Jamon Jamon everywhere</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/madrid-building-funk.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Constructivist Funk</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/madrid-on-sunday-madrid-on-monday.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Sun one Day, Snow the next</span></a>HAPPY HOURShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018535138367783812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642435792084061273.post-35724239995568516112010-01-10T22:54:00.003+08:002010-01-16T22:22:20.437+08:00Jamon Jamon everywhere<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Jamon</span> in Madrid<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Jamon</span> to your left, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Jamon</span> to your right. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Jamon</span> in front of you.<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Jamon</span> in your dreams. And now, some of that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Jamon</span>, in my fridge<br /></span><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nqJhD7TyI/AAAAAAAAEKk/qy1ND2MoIMo/s1600-h/Jamon.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nqJhD7TyI/AAAAAAAAEKk/qy1ND2MoIMo/s400/Jamon.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: 0% 50%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; moz-background-clip: initial; moz-background-origin: initial; moz-background-inline-policy: initial" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">This is MADRID, POR FAVOR</span><br /><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/music-metro-madrileno.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Sudden bursts of enchanting music in the subway</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/art-madrid.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Chorizo and Dali, Anchovies and Picasso</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/breakfast-in-madrid.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Breakfast of Champions</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/jamon-jamon-everywhere.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Jamon Jamon everywhere</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/madrid-building-funk.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Constructivist Funk</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/madrid-on-sunday-madrid-on-monday.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Sun one Day, Snow the next</span></a>HAPPY HOURShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018535138367783812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642435792084061273.post-21116241657837470232010-01-10T21:24:00.002+08:002010-01-16T22:22:51.022+08:00Madrid: Construction Funk<div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Yes, everyone knows, Spain is now the world leader in funky, futuristic urban architecture, and Madrid of course is at the forefront. These guys are really out to prove something. </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>Though I missed the Calatrava bridges and Herzog & De Mueron buildings, I did catch at glimpse of the architectural funk near Castilla De La Mancha on one sunny afternoon</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nc9O182uI/AAAAAAAAEJs/8lri0bk16MM/s1600-h/DSC00113.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425110170658986722" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nc9O182uI/AAAAAAAAEJs/8lri0bk16MM/s400/DSC00113.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nc8pan_0I/AAAAAAAAEJk/XqlZJc0Qln0/s1600-h/DSC00112.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425110160612261698" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nc8pan_0I/AAAAAAAAEJk/XqlZJc0Qln0/s400/DSC00112.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0ncakP7hvI/AAAAAAAAEJc/o2eLqhPDcoE/s1600-h/DSC00108.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425109575109674738" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0ncakP7hvI/AAAAAAAAEJc/o2eLqhPDcoE/s400/DSC00108.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0ncaFseeFI/AAAAAAAAEJU/SFS197SjqEA/s1600-h/DSC00103.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425109566907906130" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0ncaFseeFI/AAAAAAAAEJU/SFS197SjqEA/s400/DSC00103.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0ncZlTwLeI/AAAAAAAAEJM/TbpAQ7BDF_M/s1600-h/DSC00101.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425109558214274530" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0ncZlTwLeI/AAAAAAAAEJM/TbpAQ7BDF_M/s400/DSC00101.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>And Terminal 4 at Madrid Barajas Airport. Never have so many curves and waves found their way together on one airport ceiling. Fabuloso !</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nVAjkqjdI/AAAAAAAAEIw/ALUmHDIBl0k/s1600-h/DSC00166.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nVAjkqjdI/AAAAAAAAEIw/ALUmHDIBl0k/s400/DSC00166.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nVBFplMgI/AAAAAAAAEI4/Yy9LTEtg4X4/s1600-h/DSC00167.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nVBFplMgI/AAAAAAAAEI4/Yy9LTEtg4X4/s400/DSC00167.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nVBfeCBAI/AAAAAAAAEJA/RZ42VuwX9bE/s1600-h/DSC00168.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nVBfeCBAI/AAAAAAAAEJA/RZ42VuwX9bE/s400/DSC00168.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><br />But of course, there is no shortage of glorious old architecture in Madrid</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425114865729645570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nhOhWBrAI/AAAAAAAAEKQ/brGjaURTfmQ/s400/DSC00090.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425114428028971682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0ng1CyDaqI/AAAAAAAAEKA/_iIMbA6zE-c/s400/DSC00030.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425114416392082002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0ng0XbmklI/AAAAAAAAEJ4/X2pnSvFF4Ac/s400/DSC00130.JPG" border="0" />Including the place I stayed at: Hotel Alcazar on Gran Via<br /><br /></div><div style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">This is MADRID, POR FAVOR</span><br /><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/music-metro-madrileno.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Sudden bursts of enchanting music in the subway</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/art-madrid.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Chorizo and Dali, Anchovies and Picasso</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/breakfast-in-madrid.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Breakfast of Champions</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/jamon-jamon-everywhere.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Jamon Jamon everywhere</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/madrid-building-funk.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Constructivist Funk</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/madrid-on-sunday-madrid-on-monday.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Sun one Day, Snow the next</span></a>HAPPY HOURShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018535138367783812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642435792084061273.post-80478186593310481062010-01-10T20:53:00.006+08:002010-01-16T22:23:12.866+08:00Madrid on Sunday, Madrid on Monday<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nsMT3emEI/AAAAAAAAEKw/Bof4pinEvUs/s1600-h/DSC00163.JPG"></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>Madrid, Sunday December 20</em></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Clear and sunny. Cars and streets strewn with yellow-gold leaves.<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nN7E5QvpI/AAAAAAAAEHw/G9W5T2J7QjU/s1600-h/DSC00092.JPG"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nN7E5QvpI/AAAAAAAAEHw/G9W5T2J7QjU/s400/DSC00092.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nN7h4M-VI/AAAAAAAAEH4/-CzkTcp5OdI/s1600-h/DSC00094.JPG"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nN7h4M-VI/AAAAAAAAEH4/-CzkTcp5OdI/s400/DSC00094.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nN71xs17I/AAAAAAAAEIA/8Fop8uy0kSw/s1600-h/DSC00095.JPG"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nN71xs17I/AAAAAAAAEIA/8Fop8uy0kSw/s400/DSC00095.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><em></em></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><em></em></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><em></em></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><em></em></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><em></em></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><em></em></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><em></em></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><em></em></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><em></em></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><em></em></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><em></em></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><em></em></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><em></em></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><em></em></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><em></em></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><em></em></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><em></em></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>Madrid, Monday December 21</em></span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Dark, cold and snowing. Cars and streets covered with snow and icy slush.</span></div><br /><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nN8CmZm5I/AAAAAAAAEII/mzvMGi_IphA/s1600-h/DSC00134.JPG"><img style="CLEAR: both; FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nN8CmZm5I/AAAAAAAAEII/mzvMGi_IphA/s400/DSC00134.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nO1iqdu9I/AAAAAAAAEIc/0N8OkkgGKQQ/s1600-h/DSC00144.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425094645377776594" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nO1iqdu9I/AAAAAAAAEIc/0N8OkkgGKQQ/s400/DSC00144.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nO2C-xOYI/AAAAAAAAEIk/MkHCzj3J9yA/s1600-h/DSC00163.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425094654052874626" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nO2C-xOYI/AAAAAAAAEIk/MkHCzj3J9yA/s400/DSC00163.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nO1Brp_RI/AAAAAAAAEIU/VuqbsH5jPUE/s1600-h/DSC00141.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425094636524403986" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0nO1Brp_RI/AAAAAAAAEIU/VuqbsH5jPUE/s400/DSC00141.JPG" border="0" /></a></div></div><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">This is MADRID, POR FAVOR</span><br /><br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/music-metro-madrileno.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Sudden bursts of enchanting music in the subway</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/art-madrid.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Chorizo and Dali, Anchovies and Picasso</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/breakfast-in-madrid.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Breakfast of Champions</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/jamon-jamon-everywhere.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Jamon Jamon everywhere</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/madrid-building-funk.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Constructivist Funk</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2010/01/madrid-on-sunday-madrid-on-monday.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Sun one Day, Snow the next</span></a>HAPPY HOURShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018535138367783812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642435792084061273.post-1679259728066281772010-01-09T15:06:00.002+08:002010-01-09T15:26:33.222+08:00Mount Etna, Sicily<div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0grD4k40HI/AAAAAAAAD3o/K7vE-CA-pZM/s1600-h/Etna.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 380px; HEIGHT: 271px" height="243" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0grD4k40HI/AAAAAAAAD3o/K7vE-CA-pZM/s320/Etna.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div>Our trip to Mount Etna, Sicily. December 2009.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0gt8ejC1MI/AAAAAAAAD4Y/B60TUNAUhUk/s1600-h/19240_229692978559_566138559_3094934_6788813_n.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424636268183213250" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0gt8ejC1MI/AAAAAAAAD4Y/B60TUNAUhUk/s400/19240_229692978559_566138559_3094934_6788813_n.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The highest active volcano in the world</div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0gt8zFg5uI/AAAAAAAAD4g/aiMho1QFj6s/s1600-h/Etna+alone.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424636273696499426" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0gt8zFg5uI/AAAAAAAAD4g/aiMho1QFj6s/s400/Etna+alone.bmp" border="0" /></a> </div><div>Dark, desolate and magnificent<br /></div><br /><div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0gt9OUXL2I/AAAAAAAAD4o/x66QGpvGHUc/s1600-h/untitled.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424636281006534498" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 256px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0gt9OUXL2I/AAAAAAAAD4o/x66QGpvGHUc/s400/untitled.bmp" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div>Menacing winds that threaten to blow you away. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div>Then, a glorious sunset</div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0gvLAl9gPI/AAAAAAAAD40/SmkO0S1h0GI/s1600-h/19240_229694468559_566138559_3094954_769063_n.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424637617352048882" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/S0gvLAl9gPI/AAAAAAAAD40/SmkO0S1h0GI/s400/19240_229694468559_566138559_3094954_769063_n.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>HAPPY HOURShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018535138367783812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642435792084061273.post-13574402358475321602009-12-06T09:26:00.024+08:002009-12-06T22:15:07.308+08:00Le Cordon Bleu<span style="font-size:130%;">One day course with Le Cordon Bleu Director De Cuisine, Chef Marc Bonard, </span><div><div><div><div><div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">at IFT Macau</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>Learning the art of French-Japanese cuisine</em></span></div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SxsJQqdudXI/AAAAAAAADl8/-0bJummb4tk/s1600-h/Le+Cordon+Bleu+015.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411929559097308530" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SxsJQqdudXI/AAAAAAAADl8/-0bJummb4tk/s320/Le+Cordon+Bleu+015.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div>This creation got me and me and my partner Alan a 70/100 from Chef. </div><div>Barely passed.<br /><br /></div><div>But I am jumping the gun. Let me start from the beginning: the prep stage.<br /></div><br /><div>In the morning: a 3 course demo from Chef Mark Bonard, fusing French techniques with Japanese ingredients and using French and Japanese presentation styles</div><br /><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SxuTt-x3zJI/AAAAAAAADnM/BDHr9u3nOyI/s1600-h/Le+Cordon+Bleu+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412081795371355282" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SxuTt-x3zJI/AAAAAAAADnM/BDHr9u3nOyI/s320/Le+Cordon+Bleu+005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />We arived in class at 10 am to find chef doing his mise-en-place<br /></div><br /><div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SxuUUV_jnLI/AAAAAAAADnU/R1pHw4aTheY/s1600-h/Le+Cordon+Bleu+019.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412082454437797042" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SxuUUV_jnLI/AAAAAAAADnU/R1pHw4aTheY/s320/Le+Cordon+Bleu+019.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Assistants helped him lay out the ingredients: the meats, the rice, onions, butter, cream, even the sakura-ebi - a tiny dried shrimp that chef had carried all the way from Japan.<br /></div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SxuivMGi-II/AAAAAAAADoc/gJAJLlxu9ig/s1600-h/Le+Cordon+Bleu+051.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412098308802017410" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SxuivMGi-II/AAAAAAAADoc/gJAJLlxu9ig/s200/Le+Cordon+Bleu+051.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Interesting concotion: the chef 's inimitable French-accented English, the Cantonese translator, Macanese assistants and Japanese ingredients.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SxsJRTZn1MI/AAAAAAAADmM/OB8ClfbPZvU/s1600-h/Le+Cordon+Bleu+045.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411929570085950658" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SxsJRTZn1MI/AAAAAAAADmM/OB8ClfbPZvU/s320/Le+Cordon+Bleu+045.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>Appetiser: Skewered quail Yakitori style glazed with sansho flavour. Served with leek, chervil and parsley salad. </em></div></div><div>The dark diagonal in the middle is a single brush stroke of olive oil dotted with Japanese sansho pepper. Tre Bien ! </div></div><div></div><div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SxuWVd8QhLI/AAAAAAAADnc/HRVOZ-DmOes/s1600-h/Le+Cordon+Bleu+048.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412084672774571186" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SxuWVd8QhLI/AAAAAAAADnc/HRVOZ-DmOes/s320/Le+Cordon+Bleu+048.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The quails were sauteed in butter and finished in the oven For the glazing sauce, chef used quail bones, chicken stock and beef stock.<br /><br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SxuXFcawg1I/AAAAAAAADnk/fce3z_Efjj8/s1600-h/Le+Cordon+Bleu+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412085496999347026" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SxuXFcawg1I/AAAAAAAADnk/fce3z_Efjj8/s320/Le+Cordon+Bleu+002.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><em>Main Course: Chicken Breasts Nori-Maki style. shellfish reduction, vegetable pilaf<br /></em>A classic dish and a beauty to watch<br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SxuaBDU4D5I/AAAAAAAADn0/zewcjd0_BNA/s1600-h/Le+Cordon+Bleu+050.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412088720079196050" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SxuaBDU4D5I/AAAAAAAADn0/zewcjd0_BNA/s200/Le+Cordon+Bleu+050.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>The chicken breasts were hammered thin and covered with sheets of Nori. Chef made a stuffing of egg white, cream, chopped chicken, tarragon and sakura-ebi, piped the stuffing on the chicken-nori sheets and then rolled it like a giant sausage. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SxuYxUEw6TI/AAAAAAAADns/ZT9q-BTmj4Y/s1600-h/Le+Cordon+Bleu+028.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412087350185486642" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SxuYxUEw6TI/AAAAAAAADns/ZT9q-BTmj4Y/s320/Le+Cordon+Bleu+028.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br />Steamed in the oven for 20 minutes, cut into sushi-like pieces and coated in sakura ebi powder. </div><div>The shellfish reduction was simply shrimp head and tails boiled and reduced with tomato paste, and the vegetable pilaf was cooked with chicken stock.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SxsL3pbFCNI/AAAAAAAADm8/AhNTijTQ7RU/s1600-h/Le+Cordon+Bleu+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411932427855923410" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SxsL3pbFCNI/AAAAAAAADm8/AhNTijTQ7RU/s320/Le+Cordon+Bleu+002.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />And this is the final composition on the plate. A visual haiku with a french accent.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SxsJQBglmGI/AAAAAAAADl0/4iicXa0faeQ/s1600-h/Le+Cordon+Bleu+007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411929548103456866" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SxsJQBglmGI/AAAAAAAADl0/4iicXa0faeQ/s320/Le+Cordon+Bleu+007.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><em>Dessert: Milk chocolate 'shooters' with green tea cream, green tea streusel, chocolate granache and hazelnut crunch</em></div><div><br /></div><div>Bottom layer: green tea cream, made with powdered green tea, heavy cream, egg yolk and gelatin</div><div>Layer 2: bombe chocolate noir - chocolate, syrup and cream</div><div>Layer 3: a thin spread of green tea, powdered sugar, butter and salt<br />Layer 4: milk chocolate and cream granache</div><div>Topped with: hazelnut biscuits made fresh in the oven<br /><br />Frankly, I was completely lost on this one ! </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SxsJQx7Qa-I/AAAAAAAADmE/GvyuEOiAebo/s1600-h/Le+Cordon+Bleu+017.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411929561100217314" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SxsJQx7Qa-I/AAAAAAAADmE/GvyuEOiAebo/s320/Le+Cordon+Bleu+017.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br />Class in progress. </div><div>I couldn't stop staring at the Cordon Bleu logo</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/happyhours.argha/LeCordonBleu?feat=embedwebsite"></a><embed pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="288" height="192" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fhappyhours.argha%2Falbumid%2F5411922760883828049%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US"></embed><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>So that was the morning.</div><div>In the afternoon we were divided into teams and asked to recreate the main course</div><div></div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SxsJx1do4cI/AAAAAAAADmU/5fmOb0iK1xI/s1600-h/Le+Cordon+Bleu+010.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411930128985416130" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SxsJx1do4cI/AAAAAAAADmU/5fmOb0iK1xI/s320/Le+Cordon+Bleu+010.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>Lots of chopping and stuffing, reducing and straining. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SxueAtSp3II/AAAAAAAADn8/h3Lot-8IuxM/s1600-h/Le+Cordon+Bleu+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412093112210807938" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SxueAtSp3II/AAAAAAAADn8/h3Lot-8IuxM/s320/Le+Cordon+Bleu+006.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>These culinary students from the IFT were fantastic. Look how expertly they are rolling the chicken nori-maki in the sakura-ebi.<br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SxsJytuuINI/AAAAAAAADmk/Lmzux3IAcb0/s1600-h/Le+Cordon+Bleu+021.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411930144089448658" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SxsJytuuINI/AAAAAAAADmk/Lmzux3IAcb0/s320/Le+Cordon+Bleu+021.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>I was teamed with Alan, a Chinese chef from Macau. We were a bit of a bumbling pair, though we did manage to look busy</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SxuexpvulAI/AAAAAAAADoE/ZyCvpsUO02g/s1600-h/Le+Cordon+Bleu+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412093953072600066" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SxuexpvulAI/AAAAAAAADoE/ZyCvpsUO02g/s200/Le+Cordon+Bleu+003.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>Taking time off to pose for the camera now and then</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SxufKkb4lNI/AAAAAAAADoM/dO7u2ipLHyA/s1600-h/Le+Cordon+Bleu+015.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412094381143921874" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SxufKkb4lNI/AAAAAAAADoM/dO7u2ipLHyA/s320/Le+Cordon+Bleu+015.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Somehow in 2.5 hours we came up with this, which didn't look or taste bad at all I tell you. But of course it was nowhere near chef's standard. The chicken was slightly overcooked, the rice was underseasoned and overplated and the sauce was too thick and very slightly burnt. Wouldn't have got us any Michelin stars but we did get a 70 out of 100.<br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SxugLOzj0TI/AAAAAAAADoU/ZTNohMMJ38s/s1600-h/IMG_0148.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412095492029141298" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SxugLOzj0TI/AAAAAAAADoU/ZTNohMMJ38s/s320/IMG_0148.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div>In the end , this made it all worth it. Never thought I'd be so thrilled at getting a certificate !<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><div></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">GOURMET COOKING HOLIDAYS AND ARTISANAL OLIVE OILS</span></div><div><a href="http://www.happyhourshk.com/">http://www.happyhourshk.com/</a></div><div><br /></div><div></div></tr></tbody><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div></div></div></div></div>HAPPY HOURShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018535138367783812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642435792084061273.post-61097719929485977922009-05-05T23:56:00.014+08:002009-05-06T23:15:54.281+08:00Eating in New York City<span style="font-size:180%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">Eight Days a Week in The Big Apple<br /></span><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SgGd1BdKxzI/AAAAAAAAB6Y/LZjKcKHWj6I/s1600-h/HK-NYC.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332716968032782130" style="WIDTH: 291px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 217px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SgGd1BdKxzI/AAAAAAAAB6Y/LZjKcKHWj6I/s400/HK-NYC.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />CX 830. Smooth take-off from Hong Kong. Stewardess named Honey.<br />" Would you like the fish or the pork, sir" ? Lunch over Japan.<br />Dinner over the Great Pacific Northwest. Shut-eye over Chicago.<br />Touchdown at noon. Blast of cold air. "How ya doin?" New York City.<br /><br /><br />Then, a week at jet speed. Tapas Bars, Paella Bars, Wine Bars,<br />Beer Bars, even Rice Pudding Bars. Cuisine from all over: Italian,<br />Spanish, Mexican, American, New American, New Brooklyn,<br />Polish, African, Salvadoran. Giant portions and small plates,<br />glistening fat and micro-greens, the familiar and the strange and<br />even the <em>outre</em>. All in the electric cauldron of New York City.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SgBpv0HaKzI/AAAAAAAAB6Q/KrVp7cPwVts/s1600-h/Socarrat+Paella+Bar.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332378228971154226" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SgBpv0HaKzI/AAAAAAAAB6Q/KrVp7cPwVts/s200/Socarrat+Paella+Bar.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Socarrat Paella Bar, Chelsea<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2009/05/socarrat-paella-bar-chelsea-new-york.html">A dancer from Barcelona and a heavenly Paella. But was the rice burnt ? ...</a></span><br /><br /><div><div><div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SgBpgcjBnFI/AAAAAAAAB6I/iBUJ1I54cBA/s1600-h/DSC04481.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332377964946496594" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SgBpgcjBnFI/AAAAAAAAB6I/iBUJ1I54cBA/s200/DSC04481.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Cabrito, West Village<br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2009/05/cabrito-west-village-new-york-city.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Slow Cooked Goat and Jooocy Chicken</span></a> ...</div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SgBpJS_4k6I/AAAAAAAAB6A/ShETf73cTzg/s1600-h/Bar+dining+at+I+Sodi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332377567246193570" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 163px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SgBpJS_4k6I/AAAAAAAAB6A/ShETf73cTzg/s200/Bar+dining+at+I+Sodi.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I Sodi, West Village<br /><span style="font-size:180%;">D<a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2009/05/i-sodi-west-vilage-new-york-city.html">id the heart sing an Aria ? ...</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SgBo78fwfiI/AAAAAAAAB54/RSCuP_Skslc/s1600-h/Public+Nolita+New+York+City.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332377337867566626" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SgBo78fwfiI/AAAAAAAAB54/RSCuP_Skslc/s200/Public+Nolita+New+York+City.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Public, Nolita<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2009/05/public-nolita-new-york-city.html">The waitress looked like Drew Barrymore. But she moved too fast ...</a></span><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SgBot7VNxXI/AAAAAAAAB5w/pnRWfryreyM/s1600-h/rice+to+riches+storefront.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332377097036744050" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SgBot7VNxXI/AAAAAAAAB5w/pnRWfryreyM/s200/rice+to+riches+storefront.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Rice to Riches, Nolita<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2009/05/rice-to-riches-in-nolita-new-york-city.html">Rice Pudding sucks. Or so we thought. Not any more ...</a></span></div></div><br /><div></div><div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SgBoW0_xJwI/AAAAAAAAB5o/wmggPuA7Ras/s1600-h/General+Greene.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332376700199184130" style="WIDTH: 110px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SgBoW0_xJwI/AAAAAAAAB5o/wmggPuA7Ras/s200/General+Greene.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The General Greene, Brooklyn<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2009/04/new-brooklyn-cuisine-at-general-greene.html">The General orders New Brooklyn Cuisine ... </a></span></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SgBoLO2Pc-I/AAAAAAAAB5g/7iTJfDDa6h8/s1600-h/pupusas.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332376500980118498" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 99px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SgBoLO2Pc-I/AAAAAAAAB5g/7iTJfDDa6h8/s200/pupusas.bmp" border="0" /></a><br />Salvadoran Pupusas, flea market, Brooklyn<br /><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2009/04/eating-in-new-york-city-brooklyn.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">Pupusa ? What on earth is a Pupusa ?? ...</span></a></div><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>HAPPY HOURShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018535138367783812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642435792084061273.post-18257349342553659252009-05-05T20:39:00.009+08:002009-05-06T23:20:14.367+08:00Socarrat Paella Bar, Chelsea, New York City<span style="font-size:180%;">A Crust to die for</span><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SgBMC-hKYtI/AAAAAAAAB5Q/ReztVW6itlM/s1600-h/Socarrat+Paella+Bar.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332345572832207570" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SgBMC-hKYtI/AAAAAAAAB5Q/ReztVW6itlM/s320/Socarrat+Paella+Bar.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>Paella Valenciana, with pork ribs, rabbit, snails</em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>snow peas and asparagus<br /></em></span><br /><br />Quiet Friday afternoon in Chelsea, New York City.<br />Marcel the waiter at Socarrat, who happens to be a<br />dancer from Barcelona, suggests an Albarino from<br />the wine list. "Trust me", he says.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SgBMCj3SxyI/AAAAAAAAB5I/30Q8cflrIUM/s1600-h/Socarrat+menu.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332345565677274914" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SgBMCj3SxyI/AAAAAAAAB5I/30Q8cflrIUM/s320/Socarrat+menu.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I sip the crispy, refreshing Albarino and munch on<br />white anchovies with garlic and parsley on toast<br />while perusing the Paella menu.<br /><br />Doesn't take me long to zero in on the Paella Valenciana,<br />which Marcel pronounces as V-a-l-e-n-th-ee-ana, with<br />a slight lisp around the 'th' sound in the middle.<br /><br /><br />"It will take about half hour", he says, and pours me<br />some more wine.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SgBMCbxuuiI/AAAAAAAAB5A/qX-2RtLWZ00/s1600-h/Socarrat+Chelsea+NYC.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332345563506457122" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SgBMCbxuuiI/AAAAAAAAB5A/qX-2RtLWZ00/s320/Socarrat+Chelsea+NYC.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I look around. All the restaurant has is one long slender </div><div>highly polished bar counter and about two dozen high stools. <div><div>Brick-lined walls, mirrors and framed Spanish paintings</div><div>complete the look.</div></div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SgBYBIVzUaI/AAAAAAAAB5Y/j_ZB-lS2kzE/s1600-h/Socarrat+New+York+City.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332358735248708002" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SgBYBIVzUaI/AAAAAAAAB5Y/j_ZB-lS2kzE/s320/Socarrat+New+York+City.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>And all it serves is Paella. And just a few Tapas.</div><div></div><div>And that's enough to bring in the hordes in the evenings </div><div>when I believe the queue snakes around W 19th street, </div><div>making this small, tightly-focused Paella Bar one of </div><div>the most talked-about new restaurants in the city. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SgBMCcE0oWI/AAAAAAAAB44/-aQyBhDMLqw/s1600-h/Paella+Valenciana.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332345563586535778" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SgBMCcE0oWI/AAAAAAAAB44/-aQyBhDMLqw/s320/Paella+Valenciana.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Because the Paella is very very good. My Valenciana came in </div><div>a gleaming black pan, smelling of everything that I imagine </div><div>Spain to be and tasting so good that I was almost giddy. </div><div>I haven't been to Spain yet you see, so perhaps it </div><div>doesn't count for much when I say this was the best Paella </div><div>I've ever had. But it was.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SgBMCIw534I/AAAAAAAAB4w/70DytaVVkmQ/s1600-h/Paella+at+Socarrat.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332345558402719618" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/SgBMCIw534I/AAAAAAAAB4w/70DytaVVkmQ/s320/Paella+at+Socarrat.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />And that crust at the bottom, that glistening, slightly charred, caramelised , salty, bacony, </div><div>al dente layer of rice sticking to the bottom - <em>Socarrat</em> in Spanish - that was just to die for. </div><div>I scraped and scraped with the big steel spoon and licked it clean. Marcel was appreciative. </div><div>"That's the best part, yeah ? "<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Socarrat Paella Bar</span></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">259 W 19th St, New York 10011 </span></div><div><div><div><div><div><span style="font-size:130%;">Phone: (212) 462-1000 </span></div><div><a href="http://www.socarratpaellabar.com/">http://www.socarratpaellabar.com/</a></div><div></div><div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><p><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2009/05/eating-in-new-york-city.html">"Eating in New York City" series</a></p><p> </p>HAPPY HOURShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018535138367783812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642435792084061273.post-77884442745918871812009-05-04T19:09:00.006+08:002009-05-06T23:21:19.753+08:00Cabrito, West Village, New York City<span style="font-size:180%;">Drunk on Goat</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"></span><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/Sf7OCrncaSI/AAAAAAAAB4I/kXMdKJnzdK4/s1600-h/DSC04481.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331925554316470562" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/Sf7OCrncaSI/AAAAAAAAB4I/kXMdKJnzdK4/s320/DSC04481.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>Cabrito. Sour orange and chili-rubbed goat, </em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>slow roasted </em></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>and served chopped with Salsa Borracha </em></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>and warm flour tortillas</em></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><br />After coming back slightly inebriated from a wonderful dinner at<br />Cabrito, I wrote an email to some of my friends. Looking back,<br />the email sounds a bit over-enthusiastic and slightly alcohol-fuelled.<br /><br />But I am reproducing it here anyway, as a more sober review<br />would perhaps not do justice to this fabulous meal.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/Sf7xqEGdHpI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/XIylJqsE1w4/s1600-h/ma_mail-cl_1.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331964713810861714" style="WIDTH: 198px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 41px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/Sf7xqEGdHpI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/XIylJqsE1w4/s200/ma_mail-cl_1.gif" border="0" /></a><br />--- On Tue, 4/14/09, Argha Sen <goodfood65@yahoo.com>wrote:<br />From: Argha Sen <goodfood65@yahoo.com>Subject: Re: Cabrito To:<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Guys - thanks for trying for the reservations. Well I Sodi was booked and so was Scarpetta and so was Convivio. And that too on a Tuesday night. So much for Recession America.<br /><br />So we went to the next restaurant on my list. And boy was I glad. Was I glad glad glad. And happy. HAPPY.<br /><br />This was Cabrito, the Mexican place Frank Bruni raved about, in the West Village, on 50 Carmine St between Bleeker and Bedford. What an amazing, satisfying, heartwarming Mexican meal. The energy and easygoing buzz of West Village, a slightly shabby-chic decor and fantastic fantastic fantastic food . And no Burritos, Tacos, Enchiladas, Chimichingas.<br /><br />Instead we had: GOAT. Sour orange, garlic and chili-rubbed goat. Slow roasted, ( roasted real slooow, like real sloooow) and served chopped with Salsa Barracha and warm flour tortillas. Meat falling off the bone, no gamey goaty smell, but not delicate, dainty either. This was goat with real character and substance, but no punctuation, no commas, no fullstops. And the salsa was sweeeeet. Do you get it ? The contrast, the textures, the taste ?<br /><br />And CHICKEN. A plump, juicy chicken, rubbed with chili and served with a buttery rice studded with raisins, fried plantains and coconut. Do I have to tell you that the chicken was juicy, like JOOOOCY. And the rice. Oh.<br /><br />Well the Fatty Crab Ale and the second twangy ale whose name I forgot to note obviously heightened the satisfaction and is perhaps muddling my brain a bit as I write. Mick Jagger was wrong. You can get SATISFACTION. And I didn't even try Bruni's recommended dishes: the Carnitas and the roasted Poblano peppers in cream.<br /><br />I asked if the chef was Mexican. The waiter said "no, but he was born on the border of Arizona, so close !" </span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span><br /></span><br /><p><span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;">Viva La Mexico. You rule. New York City is great</span></p><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:courier new;">--------------------------------------------------------</p></span><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/Sf7OCRQ5TaI/AAAAAAAAB4A/8OEMCSbla4o/s1600-h/DSC04480.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331925547242573218" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/Sf7OCRQ5TaI/AAAAAAAAB4A/8OEMCSbla4o/s320/DSC04480.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></span><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Pollo Barbacoa. Roasted half-chicken</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">served with mezcal raisin and coconut rice</span></em><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/Sf7OC-QdQNI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/YtLDJY-ncqw/s1600-h/DSC04483.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/Sf7OC-QdQNI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/YtLDJY-ncqw/s1600-h/DSC04483.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331925559320330450" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-l0ml4_Giw/Sf7OC-QdQNI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/YtLDJY-ncqw/s320/DSC04483.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">The Cabrito bar, packed on a Tuesday night</span></em><br /><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></em><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Cabrito</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">50 Carmine St, NY 10014</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Ph: +1 212 929 5050</span><br /><a href="http://www.cabritonyc.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;">www.cabritonyc.com</span></a><br /><p><a href="http://goodfood65.blogspot.com/2009/05/eating-in-new-york-city.html">"Eating in New York City" series</a></p><p> </p>HAPPY HOURShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12018535138367783812noreply@blogger.com0