We started off the day a little late as we're still trying to get used to the time difference. So, instead of going to Montserrat, we opted to stroll around town. But first, we had to see the hotel's rooftop sundeck and solarium.
After a quick lounge in the sun, we headed down La Rambla to the Mercat de la Boqueria and the very famous Pinotxo Bar.
Bar proprietor Juanito happily served us and posed for a picture with K. We had (1) Cava and bacalao (salt cod), (2) garbanzo beans, and (3) pollo. (4) Juanito and K.
After tapas, we wandered around the market. It was awesome. We could happily live here just to shop here every day.
(1) Jamon Iberico (muchos dineros) (2) fruitas (3) fromatge (4) Medianos ('shrooms) (5) Bolets (more 'shrooms) (6) pigeons and rabbits (7) Foie gras and pates (8) K in vino store (her natural habitat)
We were then on our way for a stroll down La Ramblas toward Port Vell.
(1) artists along La Ramblas (2) signs near Port Vell (3) Mirador de Colom (from the back - so Columbus's ass as he points toward the sea) (4) K on the lion at Mirador de Colom (5) Rambla del Mar (6) Marina
We thought we had come across a Target (red bullseye), but it was more of a shopping mall - a good stop for los banos. We heard the sounds of lots of children (7-8 years old?) and noted that the place was surrounded by young school children, probably going to the Aquarium and/or the IMAX theater, so we opted to skip that and just go to one of the other restaurants on K's list.
Finding Passadis Del Pep was an adventure. All K had for directions was "Just off Placa del Palau down an alley at the back of a passageway, not facing the street". So, we found Pla del Palau and started looking. After a short while, C worked her way into a very crowded bar to ask them for directions and came out with a handdrawn map that would hopefully guide us to our destination with instructions that the restaurant was not marked from the street, you have to go through a door and down a hallway. We proceded to Pla del Palau and continued in the direction of the map. Nope, wrong again, but we found a cute area with lots of alleys and shops. C asked a shopkeeper for help. Luckily, she knew of the restaurant and told us how to get there. Finally, success! See that doorway with bars on the right side of the first picture, next to La Caixa? That's it. And then the long passageway to get to the Restaurant that is only marked by the name on the door. We found it and it was 3:15; they're only open for lunch from 1:30-3:30.
The restaurant is very classy - nice ambiance, decor...
They seated us and started bringing food. There is no menu. They just bring you food.
We had a bottle of House Red Wine (Anares Rioja)
and the food: (1) Jamon de Bello and Pa amb tomaquet (2) Canaillas (sea snails) salt-baked (3) individual snail on plate (4) Almejas Marine (clams) (5) Fritura (Calamari) (6) Gambeta Saltea (7) Chipirones Sal (baby squid with rice) (8) Gambas a la Plancha (9) Cigalas (cray fish) (10) licores - Manzana Verte and Vodka (gratis!) which C generously tried. And tried. And tried again.
The food was very good. K had never had snails and really enjoyed those. All the seafood was so fresh. We love the salt-baked technique of cooking and the shrimp and snails were delicious cooked that way. The little gambeta (shrimps) had a little too much olive oil, but were still good. The plates just kept coming. We had no idea where we were going to fit anymore food. The cigales were very tasty. We passed on dessert and then they brought liquors. At least these were free.
Then came la cuenta. I guess K didn't read the part in the travel guide that rated this restaurant as $$$$. Ah well. You only live once, eh? 140 Eur later, we left the place fat and happy.
Then we slowly strolled up Passeig Colom back toward La Rambla. We were going to go to Montjuic but figured we needed to let the food settle a bit before we did much more walking, plus C's asthma started kicking in.
(1) "Cap de Barcelona" (2) Lobster statue along Moll de la Fusta
C says she's all tapa'd out for now and ready to try real food tomorrow. But damn, those tapas are addictive - each place has a different menu and you'd never know what you're going to get. (Like a box of chocolates, according to Forrest Gump.)
We've lucked out on Barcelona weather so far: it's sunny and not too cold and perfect for just walking around aimlessly, ready to tread unbeaten paths and discover new and obscure places. But Monserrat, Montjuic, the Olympic Park, Inopia, Espai Sucre, and the Joan Miro museums are still a must.
Me encanta Barca!
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