Cooking
Not only is Barcelona an amazing food city, it knows it. Starting at the Plaza Catalunya, on Friday or Saturday at 11:00 am you can take a Gourmet Walking Tour put on by the Barcelona Tourism office. The cost is just under $15 and it is well worth it. Over the course of two hours a local guide leads you down a bit of the Ramblas, from the Boqueria into the Barri Gotic and finally to La Ribera making numerous stops along the way.
The tour is a terrific way to orient yourself and make sure you hit some of the best examples of Barcelona's gastronomic riches. The first stop is Granja Viader, the site where Cacoalat, a kind of bottled chocolate milk was invented. This is a great place to find all kinds of local dairy products, cheeses, crema catalan, yogurt, but also cakes and sweets that are local specialties.
On to the market! I will post more about the Boqueria but suffice it to say it one of the most impressive covered outdooor markets in Europe. There is a great variety of fresh seafood, eggs, produce, meats, charcuterie, wines and even little kiosks where you can get a meal.
Some more of the highlights include the Patisseria Escriba, here pastries are particularly fine, and don't miss their amazing hot chocolate. I was so enamored, I bought a bag of it. There are two locations, but the building near the market on the Ramblas is a Modernist style jewel.
Next proceed to a tiny alley in the winding, twisting, narrow lanes of the Barri Gotic. Carrer de Petritxol is known for it's "granges", cafes that specialize in traditional products such as chocolate, curd cheese and churros. This is the perfect place to stop for breakfast or a snack.
Xocolateria Fargas is a chocolate shop that opened in 1827 and not much has changed since then. Walking in is like taking a step back in history. There is even an old stone that was once used for grinding cacao beans for Barcelona's chocolate fiends. Buy a little packet of chocolates here and be treated to the best chocolate covered almond with your purchase.
Casa Gispert is a roastery and the scent of coffee and nuts is intoxicating. The dark atmospheric shop is filled with many treats including fig paste with almonds, chocolates, coffee, saffron, smoked paprika, honey, cookies, crackers, and of course those crisp and delicious marcona almonds. This is the place to stock up on pantry essentials and pick up a gift or two to take home.
On to La Botifarreria de Santa Maria. Here you may feel regret that you didn't rent an apartment in town. You will be filled with the desire to purchase sausages, hams and other charcuterie. Make a mental note to order jamon iberica de belota next time you see it on a menu, it is ham from acorn-fed pigs, rich, sweet, porcine and delicious beyond description.
There are plenty more stops along they way, about ten to twelve altogether. Each place, a gastronomic delight will tempt your senses and will fill your imagination...
FOOD
- A Super Market
What did you do during Summer vacation? I went to a supermarket. Actually, I seek out all kinds of markets every time I travel. I try to visit farmers markets, covered indoor markets, tailgate markets, you name it. I like seeing what's on offer,...
- Chocolatiers Come To Town
Ever since Lee's doctor told him to eat a little chocolate everyday, I've kept a stash of over 70% cocoa chocolate bars in a drawer in the kitchen. My everyday bar is Chocovic's Ocumare which uses Venezuelan criollo beans. That's probably...
- Pike Place Market:shop
Seattle's Pike Place Market is the real deal. Much as I love our version, the Ferry Building Marketplace, Pike Place is much more accessible for everyday shopping. There are tons more produce stands, and the prices are way more competitive. Just...
- Noe Valley Adventure
Sometimes you just have to venture beyond the beaten path. Well, beyond your beaten path and perhaps onto someone else's. The neighborhoods I frequent the most for grocery shopping are the Mission district, the Richmond and Sunset with many stops...
- Scharffen Berger Factory Tour
A few months ago I went to the Scharffen Berger chocolate factory for a visit to their shop and a tour. The shop has just about everything you can think of that you would need to make something chocolate-y. There are various kinds of chocolate, cocoa...
Cooking
Gourmet Barcelona
Not only is Barcelona an amazing food city, it knows it. Starting at the Plaza Catalunya, on Friday or Saturday at 11:00 am you can take a Gourmet Walking Tour put on by the Barcelona Tourism office. The cost is just under $15 and it is well worth it. Over the course of two hours a local guide leads you down a bit of the Ramblas, from the Boqueria into the Barri Gotic and finally to La Ribera making numerous stops along the way.
The tour is a terrific way to orient yourself and make sure you hit some of the best examples of Barcelona's gastronomic riches. The first stop is Granja Viader, the site where Cacoalat, a kind of bottled chocolate milk was invented. This is a great place to find all kinds of local dairy products, cheeses, crema catalan, yogurt, but also cakes and sweets that are local specialties.
On to the market! I will post more about the Boqueria but suffice it to say it one of the most impressive covered outdooor markets in Europe. There is a great variety of fresh seafood, eggs, produce, meats, charcuterie, wines and even little kiosks where you can get a meal.
Some more of the highlights include the Patisseria Escriba, here pastries are particularly fine, and don't miss their amazing hot chocolate. I was so enamored, I bought a bag of it. There are two locations, but the building near the market on the Ramblas is a Modernist style jewel.
Next proceed to a tiny alley in the winding, twisting, narrow lanes of the Barri Gotic. Carrer de Petritxol is known for it's "granges", cafes that specialize in traditional products such as chocolate, curd cheese and churros. This is the perfect place to stop for breakfast or a snack.
Xocolateria Fargas is a chocolate shop that opened in 1827 and not much has changed since then. Walking in is like taking a step back in history. There is even an old stone that was once used for grinding cacao beans for Barcelona's chocolate fiends. Buy a little packet of chocolates here and be treated to the best chocolate covered almond with your purchase.
Casa Gispert is a roastery and the scent of coffee and nuts is intoxicating. The dark atmospheric shop is filled with many treats including fig paste with almonds, chocolates, coffee, saffron, smoked paprika, honey, cookies, crackers, and of course those crisp and delicious marcona almonds. This is the place to stock up on pantry essentials and pick up a gift or two to take home.
On to La Botifarreria de Santa Maria. Here you may feel regret that you didn't rent an apartment in town. You will be filled with the desire to purchase sausages, hams and other charcuterie. Make a mental note to order jamon iberica de belota next time you see it on a menu, it is ham from acorn-fed pigs, rich, sweet, porcine and delicious beyond description.
There are plenty more stops along they way, about ten to twelve altogether. Each place, a gastronomic delight will tempt your senses and will fill your imagination...
FOOD
- A Super Market
What did you do during Summer vacation? I went to a supermarket. Actually, I seek out all kinds of markets every time I travel. I try to visit farmers markets, covered indoor markets, tailgate markets, you name it. I like seeing what's on offer,...
- Chocolatiers Come To Town
Ever since Lee's doctor told him to eat a little chocolate everyday, I've kept a stash of over 70% cocoa chocolate bars in a drawer in the kitchen. My everyday bar is Chocovic's Ocumare which uses Venezuelan criollo beans. That's probably...
- Pike Place Market:shop
Seattle's Pike Place Market is the real deal. Much as I love our version, the Ferry Building Marketplace, Pike Place is much more accessible for everyday shopping. There are tons more produce stands, and the prices are way more competitive. Just...
- Noe Valley Adventure
Sometimes you just have to venture beyond the beaten path. Well, beyond your beaten path and perhaps onto someone else's. The neighborhoods I frequent the most for grocery shopping are the Mission district, the Richmond and Sunset with many stops...
- Scharffen Berger Factory Tour
A few months ago I went to the Scharffen Berger chocolate factory for a visit to their shop and a tour. The shop has just about everything you can think of that you would need to make something chocolate-y. There are various kinds of chocolate, cocoa...