Peña Barcelonista – Chiringuito style lunch

Posted on May 3, 2015 by sybillesbeenthere

Malaga – about 10 minutes outside from Malaga is “El Palo” a rather ordinary outskirt but if you really want to enjoy fresh fish and seafood you just have to cross the street and go to one of the little restaurants at the beachfront. There are too many and for most you cannot reserve a table.

The chiringuitos are very simple restaurants or bars directly at the beach, some tables are even placed in the sand. But what you get for your money is outstanding in taste and quality.
Entertainment is guaranteed as well as you can watch people strolling along the beach and enjoy the Spanish sun…or watch and listen to the guys at the grill boat arguing with each other…we haven’t found out the reason. We were a little worried if they would forget about our merluza (sea bass) that was burning on the little boat grill but when it came on our plates it was wonderfully juicy and tasted just great as the shrimps pil pil, fresh tomato salad and fried baby fish.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pe%C3%B1a-Barcelonista-El-Palo/192388220824494

Barcelonista Pena

Antigua Casa de Guardia – Like Sherry?

Posted on April 26, 2015 by sybillesbeenthere

Malaga – I remember this rather small, dark and authentic sherry (Jerez) bar from my language school stay….some 15 years ago. I recommend to go there before dinner and have some tapas as well.
I was astonished as the place has not changed at all….only the prices are now in Euros instead of Spanish Pesetas.

My favourite sherry was the Pajarete. You can just ask the waiter and he will explain…but it is helpful if you speak some Spanish.

I like the way how the present your bill – written with chalk on the bar….and maybe this sounds gross, but the bar counter is soaked with sherry and makes it a bit sticky….I found it charming if that makes any sense to you?

On one of the pics you may discover a very famous artist….

www.antiguacasadeguardia.net

Price written in chalk on the bar

Pajarete Jerez

You know this famous visitor?

Tapas menu

Big Jerez barrels

Chinachilcano – China, Peru and Japan under one roof

Posted on April 19, 2015 by sybillesbeenthere

Washington D.C. – I flicked through some interior design magazine and found this wonderful place. The stylish atmosphere and decoration is indeed worth a visit. We went on a Monday evening and it was packed! It is indeed a very multicultural place for people at every age – from a casual dressed student to the business men in a suit.

We had pisco sour to start – unfortunately not comparable with the ones I had in South America…but the food made us forgiving. The menu is selected and you can choose from Chinese, Japanese to Peruvian kitchen but actually it is all mixed with each other in a way I never had. I specially want to mention the “Causagiris”: Peruvian Causa married to Japanese Sushi….and the “Ceviche Nikkei”: Ceviche with soy sauce and much more.

I really wonder why there is no such restaurant in Zurich? Or even in Switzerland, please tell me if you know of anything similar!

chinachilcano.com

DBGB Kitchen and Bar

Posted on April 13, 2015 by sybillesbeenthere

DBGB

Washington D.C. – Daniel Boulud is a very known chef in the US – originally from France. He owns various restaurants from New York to Las Vegas.

The DBGB in the city center of Washington has recently opened its doors and offers a mix of French and American cuisine.

Good food in French bistro style although a bit posh atmosphere

www.dbgb.com

The Inn at Little Washington – A must while near D.C.

Posted on April 12, 2015 by sybillesbeenthere

Little Washington VA (1 hour from D.C.) – What an experience!

This place is magnificant. A very special atmosphere on the countryside of Viginia. It is near the Shenandoah national park. You should do a hike and explore a little on the various paths, before enjoying the afternoon tea and dinner at the Inn.

We did not know anything about the place or the chef Patrick O`Connel before. Friends of us recommended it. We soon learnt that this place is special and Patrick plays the main role. Besides all the nice staff that can actually read your thoughts and make every wish come true, the house is stunning. Every little detail is placed for a reason and matches perfectly.

Behind the house and the shop you can go on a short walk and see the sheep, honeybees, chicken, llamas (Francesca and Jonah) and the vegetable garden where they grow a lot of the ingredients for the cooking creations.

We chose the dinner with wine pairing and it was absolutely delicious. Every course an indulgence for the taste buds…..

Don`t be late for breakfast, you will not regret it!

www.theinnatlittlewashington.com

Union Market – the best food hall in D.C.

Posted on April 12, 2015 by sybillesbeenthere

Washington D.C. – Take a taxi and reach the market zone of DC. In the middle of the Asian fruit trucks and their loading zones, you will find this big rectangular building. It contains a variety of food stalls where you can stroll along and taste different foods and drinks. There were also some that offer a seated area to enjoy a proper meal.

unionmarketdc.com

Eslava – Probably the best Tapas restaurant in Spain

Posted on March 22, 2015 by sybillesbeenthere

Sevilla – This small place is really a wonderful place for every food lover. But you need patience and time.

You cannot make a reservation and therefore either wait at the bar or just eat your tapas there. We had time and patience. After some 60 minutes and two cavas and two beers we were led to the table. During the wait we had time to study the menu on the blackboard. This tapas bar is probably the best I’ve ever been. The prices are reasonable.

We almost tried everything on the menu but our favourits were:
– The “cigar”; octopus in its ink rolled in a filo dough so it looked like a Cuban cigar
-Sangre, a kind of blood pudding, cut in litle cubes with caramelized onions
-the egg on Boletus tower
-Roasted pork ribs in honey sauce….and also the most tender pork cheeks
…actually everything on the menu

This tapas bar has the traditional Spanish food but interpreted in a modern way – GREAT!

After our visit we found out that there are also a restaurant and some “rooms for tourists”….so I will keep that in mind for our next trip.

www.espacioeslava.com

Hotel Palacio Villapanes

Posted on March 22, 2015 by sybillesbeenthere

Sevilla – This beautiful palace-style hotel is situated in the middle of Seville, only 10 minutes walk from the cathedral and main restaurant area. The rooms are modern and quite spacious. If you can ask for a room in the upper floors as they might be a bit brighter.

The breakfast was excellent with countless side dishes one can order complimentary.The roof top is ideal to take a dip in the small pool or drink the rest of the wine you did not finish the night before…