Greetings from Barcelona, Spain.
Recently we spent a week in Barcelona, and like the Catalans, we didn't miss an opportunity to eat ham. This is snack time in Spain. Thinly sliced, sometimes added to a little bread with a drizzle of olive oil, jamón ibérico was our afternoon treat. The British have tea, the Spaniards have jamón ibérico and Rioja.
This photo was taken at La Vinya del Senyor right across the street from Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar. One spring afternoon, as we were sitting on the square, a newly married bride and groom walked out of the church to cheering locals and tourists alike. No one left their seats, but many chants and raised glasses were sent their way. Quite a scene.
Once we had finished our jamón, manchego and rioja snack, we walked through the el Born barrio, taste-testing in chocolate shops, shops roasting nuts on the premises, and those specializing in Spanish olive oils. Barcelona is a food lovers' delight, and el Born offers everything you could want. El Born is part of the older Barcelona and with its narrow streets, small shops and small alleys, has the old Europe feel. Tourists mingle at the tapas counters with many trendy locals.
The food throughout Barcelona is plentiful, almost always delicious and often innovative. After our day of snacking and shopping, it was time for dinner at Cal Pep. Like many others, waiting for a seat is expected, but once you get one you won't regret it. With no menus, you are given a choice of any or all - seafood, meat or vegetables, we chose all. And Pep delivers. Artichokes, peppers, fava beans, cod, shrimp, calamari, sausage, chorizo, and on and on. Just when you thought you were done, another round came. And of course, we were given more jamón to try, as well as a lesson on the finer points of eating with your fingers- all told in catalan with much gusto. A few glasses of cerveza later, we had cleaned our plates (if you didn't Pep was there to put the rest on your plate). Since the Catalans claim to have invented creme brulee, called crema catalana, we couldn't leave without trying it. Whoever invented it, we are glad they did.
Next it was time for some late night cocktails behind a nameless wooden door to take it all in. Just another day turning to night in Barcelona.
