Hola Barcelona May 27 2013 Our 9th day Evening at Paco Meralgo

Tonight we were going to have supper at Paco Meralgo  (171 Muntaner).

It is open from 13:00 hours to 16:00, and from 20:00 to 00:30 hours. It was highly recommended to me, and it did not disappoint.

While reservations are recommended, we took our chances on a Monday night and arrived shortly after 8pm.

We found a place at the bar, but moments later, there was a line waiting at the door. A tapas place is a no non-sense, fast paced hustle and bustle kind of place. But this place had an elegant charm.

 A waiter quickly asked if we wanted Spanish or English menues, we opted for English and started to look over the wine list and the various tapas.

Not being in a rush, we decided we would order a bottle of wine. Wine in Spain is an excellent deal, and while back home it usually pays to buy a bottle, the per glass price is about the same.

We ordered a bottle of Salceda Reserva, a Rioja, for 25.50. It had a lovely nose, and the flavours did not disappoint.

Ordering the tapas was another matter. They all looked so good. The advantage of sitting at the bar is that one can see what others are eating, as well as look at the various items set out.


We gave an order for a few items to start, and the waiter suggested the usual bread with tomatoes which was the best we have had. For 3.70 we got four pieces of warm bread, with rich flavourful tomatoes rubbed on it along with olive oil.

 

We shared a glass of Gaspatcho that was very rich and so so delicious.

I do not think I have had a Gaspatcho as good as this one.


We each had a Bomba (2.40 each) that is a bit hard to describe. It is sort of large spicy meat ball. A dish that most everyone seemed to have ordered.

Another tapas that I ordered, was the breaded anchovies (5.50). While good, this is perhaps the only dish that I did not flip over.

It was very good, but it was something I was familiar with, and similar to what Hera had made last week. With this first set of tapas we also ordered the Potata Braves (3.90).

Potata Braves is made throughout Spain, but thus far I was not overly impressed. However, their Potata Braves were excellent. He did warn us that they were spicey hot, and we nodded that we knew. They were quite spicey, but not too spicey. It reconfirmed that Potata Braves can be well made.

We took a little break and enjoyed our wine as we perused the menu. We knew that we could not order too much more, and it all looked so good.

We decided to order three more. We had chosen the Tuna carpaccio, but our waiter suggested that he prefered theTuna steak (11.30).

While more expensive, it was well worth the cost. It was a delicious fair size piece of tuna, with olive oil and some soya sauce. It was served with toasted bread, but I agreed with Hera, that the tuna was better savoured on its own.


We also orders steak tartar (3.55 each) that was excellent. Not relevé as we are used to back home, but simple and exquisite.

Lastly we ordered a plate of grilled razor clams (9.70). I never had razor clams before, and they were so good.

A couple had just sat next to Hera, and we noticed them eyeing some of our dishes. So we had commented and suggested some, most of which they ordered.

We too did the same. A English gentleman who lived here, was taking a client out. They ordered dessert, and we asked our waited what it was.

Our waiter had said the Torradeta de Santo (1.70) with Gelato (1.63) was one of his favorites, so we order one to share. It is sort of a french toast, not too sweet, topped with an ice cream which I think was vanilla, but much richer in flavour than I am used to. It was just perfect.

Until today, while I have enjoyed most of the restaurants and tapas I have had, I could not say that I was swept away with any of them.

But tonight, at Paco Meralgo, I was. At a total price of 79.73, that included a full bottle of wine, the experience of the myriad of flavours was well worth it. Without hesitation, if in Barcelona, you must go and have a meal at Paco Meralgo.

The mini video above was taped with a Samsung Galaxy SII cell phone. It is the tiny kitchen seen from our bar seat. The entire photography was done with Samsung Galaxy SII cell phone.

Hola Barcelona May 27 2013 Our 9th Day

We again decided to start our day at the local market restaurant.

We ordered their Tortilla of the day which was an eggplant and onion tortilla, as well as a couple of tapas, one was an octopus with pickled vegetables and the other was an anchovie with pickled vegetables. All was very enjoyable.

Today was our day to visit the  Sagrada Familia   We had seen it several years ago, and Hera was not too sure originally if she wanted to go and visited it again on this trip.. But she did change her mind.

There is always a huge line up, but it moves quickly. Even though the line extended around the corner, we were inside within 45 minutes. One is best to order tickets on-line or through various automated ticket booths. But since the weather has been fickle, I was hesitant to pick a day and commit ourselves.

The mini video above was taped hand held with Lumix Gh2

Once we walked inside, Hera was thrilled we did come back. It was spectacular. One our last visit, much of the inside was under construction, with wooden walkways, etc.

Today, the interior looked more or less finished, and it was grand. Airy and spacious, but not ostentatious.

The excellent audioguide gave great commentary as we made our way about the place.

We also took a ticket to go up one of the towers, which gave good views.

While most took the elevator down, one could also walk down the narrow spiral staircase. Something I would recommend, as it affords interesting sites along the way.

While many of Gaudi's buildings are a bit over the top, thus the derogatory term "a bit Gaudi," his Basilica is a work of genius.

The structure alone is brilliant, but all the little details that encompass various aspects of Christian faith are there to be discovered.

We took our time to enjoy the Sagraga Familia, but it was time to head back home and freshen up.
For tonight, we planned on going to a restaurant that was highly recommended to me. I almost had to almost promise her that I would go.

That will be another separate blog.

Hola Barcelona May 25- 26 2013 Our Seventh & Eight Day

Uusally we have brunch at home before heading out. Today, we decided to simply have our coffees, and then try a nearby place.

The market was hustling and bustling as usual, but adjoined to it, was a restaurant we had often passed that was well attended by locals. Being a bit chilly outside, we took a seat at the bar, and ordered their tortilla of the day.

PS: The food photos and the restaurant's interiors during our travels  are always shot with a Samsung Galaxy SII cell phone.

 

Unlike Mexican cuisine, a spanish tortilla is more like a quiche without the crust. Today's tortilla of the day was an asparagus tortilla which was delicious.

 

The tapas were hard to resist so close to us. So we tried one, sardines wrapped around tomato stuffed green olives.

And a bit later, a large sashimi like piece of salmon rubbed ontop with an olive oil and probably parsley spread. Both were quite wonderful.

We then headed off to our destination for the day,  Park Güell .

http://www.parkguell.es/en/portada

Originally intended as a high end residential developement (which did not succeed) it is now a delightful 30 acre park. We entered through one of the many entrances and made our way around the park, and exited through the entrance.

 I would highly suggest walking in by the entrance, as it is spectacular. The entrance is flanked by two ginger bread looking Gaudi buildings, with a huge staircase ahead of you.

 

As you mkae your way up the decorated staircase, three sets of fountains are to be found in the middle.

The third is the famous Gaudi dragon, an icon of Gaudi and of Barcelona. At the top of the stair case is a large space held up with Doric Columns. This space I lated learned was to be the market area for the 60 mansions that were never built. The roof of this structure is a huge terrace that offers spectacular views of the park and the city. Much of the surfaces are highly decorated with broken shards of ceramic and glass. At times, it reminded me of the decorative style I had seen in Bangkok.

 

Meandering paths abound in the park, along with several rough stone covered colonades. One could walk for hours here, and I can easily see myself returning for a picnic. It was getting a it late in the afternoon, and it was time for us to head back home.

We were going to meet up with a friend that was visiting with her 20 year old daughter. Goggle maps are so practical. I just spoke out loud the name of her hotel into my cell phone and voila, it found it a few blocks off the Ramblas. We met them in the lobby. Her daughter came down to greet us, but gave her regrets for joining us as she was tired after a long day of shopping. I joked that today's youth cannot keep up with us party animals.

We headed over to a classy looking restaurant. Carol Ann ordered a Paella, while Hera ordered two different appetizers of squid. I ordered a grilled squid in a black ink sauce.

The food was good, as we talked and compared notes of our travels and expereinces in Barcelona.

Having had such a good brunch the day before at a local restaurant, we decided to do the same this Sunday morning. After a good espresso coffee at home, we made our way out late in the morning. We sat at the bar, but and was told that the kitchen was closed, and would not open for another 30 minutes or so. We decided to head out, and realized that most everywhere was closed. We walked over to a nearby bakery and picked up a warm loaf of bread and went back home and made a rustic chorizo sandwich. I added some wonderful ham as well to mine.

Today's goal was to watch the magic fountains at night, located at the base of Montjuic. The Catalan Art Museum is just up the stairs from the fountains, so we thought we would hit the museum during the day, and the fountains at night.

As we made our way up the spectaluar promenade, and then stair cases, we were disappointed to learn that the museum closes early on Sundays. While we still could have gone in, we would have been overly rushed to really appreciate it, so we decided not to enter. Instead, Hera took her photos of the area.

Nearby, is the Arena. The old Bull Fighting arena. Bull fighting is a Spanish, that is Castillian (Madrid) traditional sport, not a Cataluan sport. Cataluan outlawed bullfighting years ago, and they converted the arena in a really pretty shopping complex. The stores were all closed, but we were still able to walk into the mall, and take the free escalators to the roof which offers wonderful views all around. Including Miro's colourful sculpture of Woman and Bird.

 

We walked the streets and sat at one corner bar for a refreshing drink, then continued on our way towards the El Ravel neighborhood. We stumbled upon and old market, the Sant Antoni market, that was being refurbished.

 

We found a place to sit and rest. Ordered some drinks and some tapas. This time we ordered some a Spanish Tortilla, grilled squid, and anchovies. Only later had we realized that what had caught our eye for the place, was fried little fish which we did not see on the menu. We called the waiter over, and ordered some. One of the least expenisve tapas, but so tasty.

As we made our way back out of the neighborhood, we came across a tiny old church called the Monastery of Sant Pau(l) del Camp. While the history of the place is imprecise, it seem it was established around 950's.

We entered and admired the place. We were quite fortunate in that a trio were there getting ready for a perfomrance. One of the woman sang, and the acoustics are amazing. We continued our walk back towards Placa d'Espanya, and up the promenade towards the fountains.

Hera had already spied her location, and we stood and waited. People started to do the same. It is still a bit bright at 9pm this time in Barcelona when the Magic Fountain   show starts.

 

A spectacular show of changing water effects with colourful lights and music. People "ooed and awed" at the display just as one might when an unexpected firework lights the sky. It was an amazing show. I could only imagine how the specators almost a century ago felt as they witnessesed this extravaganza at Barcelona's 1929 World's Fair.