SPAIN: Barcelona

La Ramblas

Barcelona, Spain

3 days in Barcelona is just not enough.  There’s far too much to eat [and drink] to do this city justice.  From the proliferation of the alien-like formation of Gaudi’s buildings dotting the west, beaches and the Mediterranean Sea spreading across the east, and the rich and vast wealth of food everywhere in between, it’s a city that just doesn’t have time to allow for boredom. 

Regardless of the lack of time, it was all I had so I needed to make the most of it.  First stop was the trek to the Gaudi buildings:

Casa Mila

Sagrada Familia

Casa Batllo

Parc Guell

These structures were so incredibly BIZARRE that I stopped to try and figure out if he was on drugs when he put these building plans to paper.  It’s definitely not my style but I do appreciate his daring and unapologetic style that he introduced into the otherwise homogenous landscape.

Foodie Heaven

As I’d mentioned in a previous post, I had the pleasure of nibbling on some of the tastiest treats in Barcelona!

Cal Pep – As we settled into our stool at the bar in the overcrowded restaurant, our server gave us 100% of his attention. He spotted us for the newbies we were and asked us to trust him.  We were glad we did! He ordered us a feast and the price was very reasonable! My favorite was the shishito [peppers]. 

Inopia – I couldn’t believe I actually waited in line. I was already starving by the time I got here and I was really ready to gnaw off my arm.  It was worth the wait.

Cinc Sentis - This was the splurge meal.  Eight courses of cheeses, Foie Gras, Fish, Pig and on and on...Each taste was better than the one before. All of the ingredients were sourced locally, using the freshest and best ingredients available.

Bar Pinotxo, La Boqueria – I read about the famed Juanito Bayen's legendary charm, but I was ill prepared for just how charmed I would be.  Still early in the morning, I hadn't had a chance to get my appetite up. I had intended to just have one dish.  Mr Bayen talked us into several.  By far, the garbanzo con Butifarra Negra is one dish that is not to be missed. Rich and tasty, these are the best beans I've ever had!

El Xampanyet – no joke, this place is pretty bare bones. It’s a great happy hour location since for a bottle of champagne, it was around $5. The tapas were small but very inexpensive ranging from $3 - $5 or so for each plate.  After consuming 2 bottles of champagne, we proceeded to get lost.  As in, walking in the wrong direction.  The best part of this place was the people watching - I loved the happy hours that I spent here seeing tourists and locals alike enthusiastically catching up over a quick glass of champagne. 

I could spend a week in Barcelona and still not get enough of it. The next time I return I plan to spend more time traveling throughout the country, adding a few extra days to Barcelona!

Casa Mila [La Pedrera]
92, Passeig de Gracia
Eixample district

Sagrada Familia
401, Carrer Mallorca

Casa Batllo
43 Passeig de Gràcia

Parc Guell
Carrer d'Olot

Inopia
104 Tamarit 08015

Cinc Sentis
58 Aribau

Bar Pinotxo
La Boqueria
91, La Ramblas

El Xampanyet
Barri Gothic
Carrer Montcada 22

Cooking Paella in Barcelona, Spain

One thing I like to try to do on my travels is to take a cooking class. For me, there's nothing that's a better outlet for my creativity or easier to "pack and take home" than learning how to make something regional from the place that you visit.

I found Cook and Taste while doing a quick search on Chowhound for my trip last December. The price for the class [and visit to the boqueria] was fairly reasonable, considering that we got to eat and drink, too! Our teacher was wonderful, kind, friendly, and very informative.  She gave me tips on where to buy all kinds of food gifts! [you know...food gifts for ME!!!]

I don't like to feel useless, especially when someone else is bustling around in a busy fashion around the kitchen. So, I volunteered to help out by unpacking our goods from the boqueria. Luckily, that earned me the right to make the fish stock! I quietly diced my veggies and the monkfish [ugh...most disgusting fish EVER...and I don't care that it's "good eats"] off to the side while she started on the Crema Catalan [very much like a creme brulee].

I enjoyed the leisurely pace of the class. We took as long as we needed, no short cuts. There was no set end time. Sure, we all had other ideas of things we wanted to do that day but when mixed with the food, wine and company, we were quite happy to hang out and learn - not only about the food but about the culture, city and its people.  We also got to meet some classmates who were from Holland and Great Britain, as well.  It was interesting to learn about other country's healthcare, food philosophy, cost of living, and gas prices!

We had a fabulous time making gazpacho, tortilla de patatas, crema catalan, and paella.  I especially enjoyed working for my lunch.  I think you will too!


Cook and Taste
CARRER DEL PARADÍS, 3
08003 BARCELONA
t. (+34) 93 302 13 20
info@cookandtaste.net

Postcards from vacation...

I am compulsive about printing out labels with addresses of my friends and family.  That's usually one of the first things I print out and it's the 2nd thing I take care of on my vacation. So you can imagine how horrified I was when I realized that I totally forgot to print out and bring my labels.  I decided to send postcards via my blog, generic though it may have to be. Please fill in the blanks where instructed...

Dear [fill in your name]:

Greetings from [Lisbon or Barcelona]! I hope you're having as great a time in Los Angeles as I am in [Lisbon or Barcelona].  I've been having a fantastic time here - eating, walking, shooting photos, cooking, and shopping. 

I really wish you could be here [unless you're someone I'd rather not be around] with me sharing [well, having your own] cup of chocolat & churros.  I never knew a cup of chocolate could be so thick.

You would have loved the cooking class Carrie & I took at Cook & Taste [unless you hate to cook].  In spite of my squeamishness from the monkfish that really, really grossed me out, I feel pretty confident that I can make paella [I was the one who made the fish stock...i KNOW i can make THAT]!  I'll tell you more about this class later. 

Tonight is my last night in Barcelona, so I'd better get packed and ready to go out.  I know I'll never be able to pack after a night of food & drinks.  I look forward to seeing you when I get home [unless I don't normally see you, in which case I won't]!

With Much Love [unless I hate you...]

Jen