Monthly Archives: September 2015

La Guingueta – Catalan version of the chiringuito

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Barcelona – Barceloneta beach is just some 5 minutes walk from the city centre and actually really nice for a city beach.

If you become hungry after all the volleyball, swimming or just laying around – there are loads of restaurants, but the Guingueta caught our attention as it looked so open, friendly and modern. You can just have a freshly squeezed fruit juice or a wheat grass shot (….it felt like I just ate a whole golf green) or get a whole lunch.

The sandwiches and burgers are really tasty and the desserts looked great as well. This concept by Carles Abellan is the modern interpretation of a chiringuito “Guingueta” in Catalan (small restaurant with simple but good food at the beach). And I was so happy to find my very Spanish and favourite drink on the menu as well: Tinto de verano (but do not mix it up with Sangria!).

www.carlesabellan.es/la-guingueta-de-la-barceloneta

Fruit bar
Wheat grass shot
the bill
La Guingueta
the menu
sandwich and burger
Tinto de verano and guacamole with chips

Hostal Poblenou

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Barcelona – We found this cosy and simple bed and breakfast in Barcelona most adorable. Inhabitants are also 2 or 3 cats and probably a mouse named “Perez” ;-). They have double, single and family rooms for a really fair price.

The hostal is some 30 minutes to walk (by the seaside) or 5 mins by taxi from the city centre.

Breakfast (small but nice buffet) is served on the patio terrace and you can order almost everything for breakfast you wish for a small extra money.
Towels and umbrellas for the beach can be rented for free. The area has its own smaller version of the Rambla and is really nice to do a little walk.

www.hostalpoblenou.com

Passadis del Pep – From the sea to the table

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Barcelona – If you like sea food as calamari, lobster, mussels and shrimps then you have to go to Passadis del Pep. You will get everything you see on the local market stalls. You will probably have asked yourself if people really do eat it – yes they do!

The restaurant has no menu card. You will receive several platters of mussels, sea snails, octopus, rice in calamari ink and so on. If you think you had enough, the waiter will ask you if you want meat or fish for your main course…so keep some space in your stomach.

Sea snails

The wine list is very good as well.

Ask to be seated in the main room of the restaurant when you do your reservation.

Note, there is no sign that tells you where the entry of the restaurant is…but there is an open door that leads you inside the building.

www.passadis.com

Disfrutar – Enjoy with the former El Bulli team

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Barcelona – When in Barcelona the challenge is to make your selection of the restaurants during your stay….as there are just too many good ones.20150906_141114

Actually we went to Barcelona to see Manà, the mexican rock band, as they not seem to ever come to Switzerland 😉 But it was a great excuse to spend 3 splendid days in Barcelona anyway.

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Now back to food:
Disfrutar restaurant was an experience! We went there for lunch as the evenings were already booked.

We enjoyed a lunch with countless courses that were all very good but we specially liked the egg in its shell. The dishes are quite experimental and a treat for people that like to enjoy various tastes and textures combined – the look of the food sometime cheated and felt or tasted differently once in your mouth.

The EGG
See through penne Carbonara…
Chocolates in pepper gown

Coffee was served in the little patio under blue sky.

Patio

If you have the chance to go, give it a try but bring some time and the big wallet.

disfrutarbarcelona.com (see also sibling restaurant compartircadaques.com)

 

Bustan – Hot Feta and more delights

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New York – I just arrived in New York the same evening so I have to admit I was just too tired from the jet lag to take any (good) pictures.

But what I do remember is that it was really delicious oriental food in mese style. I especially remember the spicy feta with flat brad and the grilled aubergine.
It is a great restaurant for a group of 3, 4 or more people to share several dishes

www.bustannyc.com

Bustan

Quality Meats – More than meat

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New York – While in New York one has to visit a real steak house. We were very happy to get a table in the “Quality Meats” near Central Park.

The dining area was a little dark, that’s why I have no pictures of our most juicy, tasty and enormous porterhouse steak.

Better to book in advance. The restaurant is not thought for a romantic dinner or important conversations…its quite loud but I would go again anyway.

www.qualitymeatsnyc.com

Bar
Bar area
menu
Wine selection
delicious bread and bone marrow

The Standard High Line Hotel – Hotel, Roof Top Bar and Lounge – way above the standard…

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New York – One of my favourite location during my last visit in New York was definitively the Standard High Line Hotel besides the High Line Park.

The complex is located in the Gansevoort/Meat packing area where there are other countless great places to shop or eat/drink.

On the ground floor of the Standard is a  lounge “The Standard Plaza” where you can relax outside in summer and drink or eat all day/evening long. The Biergarten also belongs to the hotel…I do not have to explain what the Biergarten is?

But my favourite spot is on the very top of the building: The BAR. “The Top of the Standard”. You have stunning views over the city and the water. But you should also look inside: The architecture, decoration…and most stunning staff with the most amazing shiny silk mini dresses I have seen as a “staff uniform”….So it does not really matter if you go during afternoon, enjoy the sunset or the night scenery, your eyes will be delighted anyway.

The also do brunch on Sunday, book in advance, cocktail attire is required.

www.standardhotels.com/high-line

Lounge
Champagne Cocktail and kale chips
From the outside

The Fat Radish – Breakfast, brunch and more

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New York – What to do on a Sunday at noon after walking up and down the galleries (Whitney with cool bar and lounge, restaurant) and you haven’t had a real breakfast yet?

You should have brunch at The Fat Radish and indulge yourself with some food from the farm to table -concept. We wolfed down our delicious brunch and ended it with some fresh oysters accompanied by bubbling cava and fresh squeezed juice. It is a really nice atmosphere with a lot of air and light shining through the glass windows on the ceiling. But don’t forget to book in advance.

www.thefatradishnyc.com