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Barcelona – supermarkets and paella – discuss
We arrived and for once did not go to the main area of Las Ramblas and the Gothic District. I’ve been to Barcelona a few times before so it was time to go off piste and see what the city had to offer. We air b n b’d a great apartment in the area of Rambla del Poblenou and it was less than £100 a night for a two bedroom. I took a photo of the street name on my iphone as it was particularly difficult to pronounce. This proved a life saver when getting home in a cab.
We searched for a supermarket because everyone knows that European Supermarkets are ridiculously good and should be high on your list of important points of interest to see as soon as you land. Never has fruit tasted so good. It puts England and the States to shame when it comes to tasty fresh produce.
Things that you immediately need to buy to keep for a weekend away in spain. Chorizo, nectarines, tomatoes, tortilla, bread, emergency drunken pizza, sweet peppers in a jar, fresh anchovies, Strawberry twizzlers, milk, condensed milk to make iced coffee, coffee. Rose wine, red wine, beer. Water, fresh limes and lemons.
This photo does not do the Paella justice in Vell.
We went on the hunt for Paella and Sangria. Which isn’t hard being in Barcelona, but it had to be right. We had a gourmet Paella from what was like a local cafe looking restaurant in a place called Vell. Not the real yellow type this was a treat gently simmered in stock and tasted like it had been cooked in a top restaurant even though we were in what felt like a cafe. We had a great paella the day after which was the dirty saffron kind but once I’d had the gourmet one it was like comparing steak to a greasy kebab . Both have their own merits but are right for different times in life.
Need Meat and Malbec in Barcelona? Go Patagonia
I was too greedy to stop and take a picture of my steak so took this pointless picture of the wine instead. But it was a good wine.
We had had enough of the tapas and we needed steak. And not small bits of steak but lump sums. We saw the ribeye. It was for two, but we wanted it split in half and cooked two different ways. This was no pizza hut. Could they do it? Would they do it? It was tense for about two minutes. But the answer was positive and service swift and friendly. There was a plethora of Malbec to choose from too. We were too drunk to eat dessert. Was it the best steak I’ve ever had? No, but it was very good. And local peoples were eating in there, which is always a good sign.
Reims – Champagne Weekend in France
Cathedral in Reims
Everyone has a different version of how to say it and the one we went with sounded like ‘Rance’ as if choked from the back of the throat. I went on a coach ride, with a bunch of people I didn’t know and lets just say alcohol does wonderful things to bond strangers.
The ferry took just over an hour to get to France. I had it in my head that it was three hours, so this was bonus number one . Getting to Reims only takes another few hours. Bonus number two.
There’s a lot to be fermenting and drinking in these.
I went to visit Pomeroy which had auspicious cellars but that was about it. But then over a couple of days we saw three other independent and smaller champagne producers and that’s much more fun. They talk away about how they make it and everyone nods politely, whilst downing the first glass quickly to get the six more. No one was pausing to comment on any aromas of pear. Within the hour I and my motley crew were smashed and buying enough champagne to fill our imaginary cellars at home.
I don’t know why this is in a champagne house but maybe it represents how you feel after one too many bubbles.
You get drunk, buy champagne, store it in the coach and take it home. Some champagne did not make the coach journey back. Some places put on a lunch. Reims is also a great place to stay in. There’s not a lot to do there bar see the cathedral and drink, but apparently there’s a great Xmas Market too. This champagne weekend is the ultimate hen do waiting to happen.
Here’s a couple of places
http://www.champagne-lacourte-godbillon.com/content.asp?IDR=114273
http://www.champagne-dauby.fr/welcome_172.htm
Here’s some info.
Click to access Group-tours-in-the-Champagne,-the-Marne-BD2.pdf
How to make the ultimate melanzane alla Parmigiana
I made this and it was the ultimate in YUM. All the comments beforehand are really helpful as well.
LifeHouse Spa – I spa, you spa, we spa,
Who doesn’t like to spa? This place is near Clacton On Sea. I thought Clacton was a place of caravans and grannies. Maybe it is? I saw the county of Essex and got the fear of turning up at a spa and seeing blond supertanned supertoned Ken and Barbies. But that was not the case. First off everyone bar two spray tanners were normal. All shapes and sizes were present at that pool. Groups of women, couples, but no groups of men though. The pool was heated. The jets in the Jacuzzi could knock over a small child and probably do.
The grounds are gorgeous and serene. Everyone who works there are super friendly. The treatments are as you would expect from a spa and to a high standard. Now lets talk about the room. A King Size bed people. I don’t even think I requested it and I got it. What kind of lushness is that? And GHD’s in the room as standard? I mean where does that happen?
I was as happy as they were
Now lets talk about the food. This is no spa of a couple of bits of green beans over salmon. Oh no. You can have a 2 or three course dining menu that is better than a gastro pub. And the small choice of wines are excellent. It’s perfect turn up stressed. Have treatments and relax immediately, pig out and drink and indulge. Sleep in a King Size bed.
I went on a Bank Holiday and it was busy and I’ve got to say it wasn’t even that busy. I was so overwhelmed by spa choices but now I’ve Lifehoused I doubt I’d want to try anywhere else for a while. I can’t wait to get back there and drink Malbec.
Spaniards Inn – Hampstead, London.
Sometimes this pub can get a bit too busy for it’s own good, but that’s because it’s a great pub and everyone knows, find a great pub and find the worst kept secret. So if you want it when it’s buzzy then go in the summer and crash someones gigantic table outside in the huge garden, and join everyone else who is getting sloshed. If you want it a bit quieter than do what I just did and get there at midday on a Sunday and grab the last unreserved table. I was having a Roast Dinner in the Evening and did entertain the idea of ordering one from lunch and doing the double, but I didn’t I went for Gnocchi, and I’m so glad I did. I mean look at it. One of the best gnocchi’s I have ever had. Hand made, truffle cream with pea shoots and chestnut mushrooms. This deserves the biggest picture ever. 
Andina – Peruvian Food in East London
Picture taken from Opentable, where you can book a table should you want to. Or you can call the restaurant, they have a phone.
I don’t like raw fish. Andina is a Ceviche Bar. Just so you know what that is as I didn’t, it’s raw fish. My heart sank. It hadn’t been my choice to go for Peruvian, because frankly who would? Menu Menu Menu, my eyes then scanned to quinoa burger. Sad, so sad. But wait then Pig Butty – oh lunch only and I was there for dinner. I was glad their food was for suitable for coeliacs and locally sourced but how about some food that I could have? You can get a whole suckling pig, – if you order it five days before…
But wait there’s a pot at the end of the rainbow, because being on my best behaviour and also being hungry I just decided to go for it. Grilled steak skewers and chicken casseroles, all with weird, but cooked ingredients not previously mentioned and you know what? It was good. It was really good. The doughnuts for dessert made the meal just wish that there had been more choices.
The place has a good vibe. It’s busy, small seating, not posh nosh but street food. The service is really good and friendly but it’s not somewhere you would go and sit for a long time enjoying your food. I liked it, but if you like sushi you will probably like it more.
Dorset Square Hotel
Taken from the Telegraphs pics online because I was too drunk to take one.
If you could picture it I was on the fourth from the left trying cocktail on the menu with my two girlfriends. Then I was eating my fish and chips to the left. The place was empty bar a few people mooching around so it felt like my girlfriends and I had run of the place. Why on earth was it a Saturday night and this place without the people? Such a shame. It’s a great little find in Baker Street just minutes walk from the tube. We stayed and ate, and the food was good, but not as good as the drink where a lot of care and attention happened in the arrays of colours into a glass and the service was excellent. Great for friends catching up, great for a romantic meet up. Not great if you want a party atmosphere but what the hell take your own party. Keep this place alive people!
Carbone – best Italian meal in Manhattan so far
I took my friend here for dinner. I’m not going to lie it’s pricey, but it’s soooooooooooooooooooooooo goooooooooooooooooood.
The dishes were so big that we shared, the antipasti of baked clams, the pasta, which is probably the best pasta I have had in a very long time and the ribs. Never have I seen the ribs so big in my life and I have eaten a lot of places. It’s not an easy restaurant to get into, but it is worth it. For somewhere so good I thought the service was attentive and not in the least bit snotty. It has a real family feel inside in both senses of the word. If you want good Italian, I highly recommend the place if you want to go eat good food, drink from an extensive wine list and pig out completely.
Photo is taken from their website.
Hustle in the Bustle
Things that annoy me greatly in New York, are people asking for money just because they are on the hustle.
On the Subways the rides can last a minute. Some old sod will get on the carriage and say ‘Hey Everyone I’m going to sing A Song’. They are not homeless, they are not desperate, they are playing on the need people have to give to charity, even if they don’t understand what they are giving to.
They then sing the chorus or verse of the song as tunelessly and loudly as they can and before the minute journey is up have their hat out for you to give them cash.
They then move onto the next carriage.
If they get 2 dollars from one carriage and that’s per minute then they are onto a big hustle.
worldwideattitude 