Cooking
So I know what flamenco is and I know what pop is but when the box office told me the show at the Palau de la Musica Catalunya was "flamenco pop" I really didn't know what to expect.
Here in a modernista (art nouveau) but positively psychedelic building that is covered in colorful stained glass, glittering mosaic tiles and sculptures of galloping horses, with every possible surface adorned, loud contemporary Spanish music throbbing and lights flashing I can tell you, this is Barcelona. Achingly modern, distinctly Spanish yet unique and most of all, wildly enthusiastic, Spanish diva Rosario, prances across the stage like a Spanish Tina Turner, belting out songs with soul and emotion.
So too the chefs of Barcelona seem filled with soul. Whether it's perfectly executed traditional dishes like the tortilla at Cal Pep or taking traditional dishes and giving them a modern twist like Iberian pork belly with lentils braised with calamares ala plancha at Cinc Sentits, soul and enthusiasm are never lacking.
Barcelona's Roman, French and even American influences (dating back to Christopher Columbus) combine with centuries old culture and local ingredients to express something delicious and often surprising. Not everything succeeds, but you can't help but appreciate the passion and pride all the same.
Highlights? The decadent tassa de xocolata at Escribà thick as pudding but richer and more chocolate-y than any chocolate pudding I've ever eaten, the steamed clams at Cal Pep served in a little broth and a red peppery olive oil, char-broiled artichokes at Mussol, and a melange of peas, fava beans, spring garlic and black sausage at Origen 99.
FOOD + BARCELONA
- Contigo: First Impression
Is Contigo the next big thing? The future may be unknown, but as the magic eight ball says "signs point to yes." I was one of the few that got a preview of the restaurant and while my expectations were high, having eaten Brett Emerson's food a few...
- Crazy For Conservas
When I think of processed foods the first things that come to mind are newfangled convenience and artificial ingredients. But that's not the case with all processed foods. In Spain, preserving vegetables and seafood is a very traditional craft....
- Still Hungry?
READ MORE Over at Cool Hunting is my take post on Origen 99.9 a unique restaurant in Barcelona and one of my favorite kitchen gadgets, the Furi Knife Sharpener FOOD©2016 Cooking with Amy. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten...
- 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....
- Amy Goes To Europe
I am going to spend a week in London and a week in Barcelona. So now is your big chance to influence my plans: Where should I eat? Where should I shop? What sights should I see? I've been to both places, but not for a while so the more current...
Cooking
This is Barcelona
So I know what flamenco is and I know what pop is but when the box office told me the show at the Palau de la Musica Catalunya was "flamenco pop" I really didn't know what to expect.
Here in a modernista (art nouveau) but positively psychedelic building that is covered in colorful stained glass, glittering mosaic tiles and sculptures of galloping horses, with every possible surface adorned, loud contemporary Spanish music throbbing and lights flashing I can tell you, this is Barcelona. Achingly modern, distinctly Spanish yet unique and most of all, wildly enthusiastic, Spanish diva Rosario, prances across the stage like a Spanish Tina Turner, belting out songs with soul and emotion.
So too the chefs of Barcelona seem filled with soul. Whether it's perfectly executed traditional dishes like the tortilla at Cal Pep or taking traditional dishes and giving them a modern twist like Iberian pork belly with lentils braised with calamares ala plancha at Cinc Sentits, soul and enthusiasm are never lacking.
Barcelona's Roman, French and even American influences (dating back to Christopher Columbus) combine with centuries old culture and local ingredients to express something delicious and often surprising. Not everything succeeds, but you can't help but appreciate the passion and pride all the same.
Highlights? The decadent tassa de xocolata at Escribà thick as pudding but richer and more chocolate-y than any chocolate pudding I've ever eaten, the steamed clams at Cal Pep served in a little broth and a red peppery olive oil, char-broiled artichokes at Mussol, and a melange of peas, fava beans, spring garlic and black sausage at Origen 99.
FOOD + BARCELONA
- Contigo: First Impression
Is Contigo the next big thing? The future may be unknown, but as the magic eight ball says "signs point to yes." I was one of the few that got a preview of the restaurant and while my expectations were high, having eaten Brett Emerson's food a few...
- Crazy For Conservas
When I think of processed foods the first things that come to mind are newfangled convenience and artificial ingredients. But that's not the case with all processed foods. In Spain, preserving vegetables and seafood is a very traditional craft....
- Still Hungry?
READ MORE Over at Cool Hunting is my take post on Origen 99.9 a unique restaurant in Barcelona and one of my favorite kitchen gadgets, the Furi Knife Sharpener FOOD©2016 Cooking with Amy. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten...
- 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....
- Amy Goes To Europe
I am going to spend a week in London and a week in Barcelona. So now is your big chance to influence my plans: Where should I eat? Where should I shop? What sights should I see? I've been to both places, but not for a while so the more current...