Sunday, January 31, 2010
Barcelona Blog
Best Tapas Bars in Barcelona
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.
Tapas Tapas Tapas
Torres and Tapas, with Jiminez and Jerez
Point and Ye Shall Eat
I am searching, in the rain
Chocolate Balls with Olive Oil ?
Food Porn
Market of Sensory Overload
The Building is running away ! Call the Police
Catalan Christmas
Feliz Navidad
Fountain For Footballers
This is not Japan
Vinoteka Torres, Barcelona
La Vinoteka Torres, a stylish Wine and Tapas bar from the winemaker Torres.
Matching Torres wines with the cooking of Manuel Jiminez.
First, a tasting of Torres' olive oil with a delicious warm bread
and a glass of Jerez' finest: Tio Pepe sherry, served slightly chilled
Seitos Marinades: Meaty anchovies in oil, with a few specks of parsley
Vino: Torres Fransola
La Vinoteka Torres, Passeig de Gracia 78, Barcelona. Ph: 902 520 522 / 932 726 625
Tapas Tapas Tapas
Torres and Tapas, with Jiminez and Jerez
Point and Ye Shall Eat
I am searching, in the rain
Chocolate Balls with Olive Oil ?
Food Porn
Market of Sensory Overload
The Building is running away ! Call the Police
Catalan Christmas
Feliz Navidad
Fountain For Footballers
This is not Japan
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Ciutat Comtal, Barcelona
My first meal in Barcelona
Landed at Barcelona Airport: 11:35 am
Arrived at Hotel Catalunya on La Ramblas: 1 pm
Took up prime position at the bar counter at Ciutat Comtal: 1:15 pm
Why waste time settling in when there's good Tapas waiting ?
Started with a trio of Pinchos: Piquilo Pepper stuffed with Tuna,
Jamon Iberico Croqueta,
Anchovies, Eggplant and Roast Pepper on Pan Con Tomate
In Spanish Tapas bars, if you don't speak Spanish, have no fear. Point and Ye Shall Eat.
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.
I casually nodded at the squid, and they came tossed with garlic, served on a tiny portion of seafood paella.
A fiery Catalan beauty took up the bar stool next to mine. I pointed at her. The waiter gave me a tissue.
Ciutat Comtal ( Cuidad Contal) Rambla de Catalunya, 18, Barcelona, Spain Ph: 93.318.19.97
La Bodegueta, Barcelona
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.
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.
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.
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.
La Bodegueta, Rambla de Catalunya 100, Barcelona. Ph: 932 154 894
Tapas Tapas Tapas
Torres and Tapas, with Jiminez and Jerez
Point and Ye Shall Eat
I am searching, in the rain
Chocolate Balls with Olive Oil ?
Food Porn
Market of Sensory Overload
The Building is running away ! Call the Police
Catalan Christmas
Feliz Navidad
Fountain For Footballers
This is not Japan
Tapas 24, Barcelona
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.
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
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
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.
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.
Tapac 24 C/Diputacio 269, Barcelona, Ph: 934 880 977
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Breakfast in Boqueria
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.
I start with a Pan Con Tomate, 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 Pincho Tortilla: a small wedge of fluffy potato omelette - the definitive fast food in Madrid and Barcelona.
A few tortillas and some chorizo and lentils later: a hearty
"rabbit's tummy" stew. Rich and warm. Satisfaction Guaranteed.
Then I turn my attention to the fresh seafood that starts arriving from the market
And let the expert prepare it the way he likes it
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.
Tapas Tapas Tapas
Torres and Tapas, with Jiminez and Jerez
Point and Ye Shall Eat
I am searching, in the rain
Chocolate Balls with Olive Oil ?
Food Porn
Market of Sensory Overload
The Building is running away ! Call the Police
Catalan Christmas
Feliz Navidad
Fountain For Footballers
This is not Japan