Iye Rosanna Barcelona: 03/07/10

La Granja Pallaresa a Local Gem

If you are looking to enjoy the typical Spanish delicacy of chocolate and churros and find some of the best chocolate in city look no further than the Calle Petrixol. The Granja Pallaresa is a cozy chocolate restaurant tucked between Xocoa and Demasié two of Barcelona's famous chain chocolate shops. The restaurant serves delicious warm churros, which are fabulous dipped hot chocolate. The hot chocolate is nothing like what you find in the states it's a thicker consistency and a bit bitter so it comes with a sugar packet, which at first seems redundant, but then you see why. The hot chocolate is great without added sugar too. After finishing my plate of churros and chocolate I was craving more, but decided to save my appetite for the other delicacies that we would surely taste later in the day.

Area Barri Gòtic
Address C/Petrixol, 11

Opens 9am- 1pm, 4pm-9pm

Prices Hot Chocolate €2,60, Churros €1,50

Barcelona Tourist Guide

Watch more Barcelona videos at tripfilms.com

posted under Food, La Granja Pallaresa | 0 Comments

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry at El Xampanyet

Iye:

El Xampanyet

El Xampanyet is a popular tapas bar in El Born, a historic district of Barcelona very close to the Picasso Museum. The waiters are very friendly and helpful even if you do not speak a word of Catalan or Spanish. The space is small so be prepared push through a crowd to find a table and get cozy with your fellow dinners. You may even have to stand. The food is exceptional and the Cava, a sparkling wine which is served in a flat bottomed glass called a xampanyet runs about €6 a bottle.

The walls are decorated with blue tiles and antique artifacts and there are marble tables and a zinc bar. In this energetic local the young and the young at heart meet to eat and socialize while sipping Cava and nibbling on tapas. The bar has been in the family since the 1930's and has an interesting history. If you're looking for hip and trendy this may just not be the place for you. However, if you want to expose yourself to some culture and see a typical Catalonian style bar you've found the right place. Catalonia is like heaven for sausage lovers. So definitely do like the locals and try a butifarra on a crusty roll you'll be glad you did.

Area El Born
Address C/ Montcada 22, Barcelona
Public transportation Metro Jaume I

Open 12am-4pm, 7pm-11.30pm Tues - Saturday; 12am-4pm Sunday. Closed August.
Credit Master Card, Visa

posted under El Xampanyet, Food | 0 Comments

Catalan for Tourists

When visiting a foreign country it's always helpful to know at least a few phrases in the language so I attached this video so you could arm yourself with some helpful phrases to get you started. Enjoy!

posted under Catalan, phrases, Survival Guide | 0 Comments

Wandering Barri Gòtic

Iye:

Barri Gòtic also known as the Gothic quarter of Barcelona is a district dating back from the Medieval period and even as far as the Roman settlement, making it a ideal place to take a leisurely stroll. The atmosphere is so incredible with so much to see and do you could probably spend an entire vacation here and not even venture outside the district. The narrow streets are lined with fascinating sites such as Roman ruins, medieval palaces, Gothic churches and museums galore.

Area Barri Gòtic

Public Transportation Metro L4 Jaume I, L3 Liceu and Drassanes

posted under Barri Gòtic, Must See | 0 Comments

Plaça Reial a Fabulous Spot to Hang Out

A mile from Somnio Hostel, where Rosanna and I were staying or about a twenty minute walk, is the Plaça Reial. The Plaça Reial, right across from La Rambla, is a well known tourist attraction in the Barri Gòtic. It was designed by Francesc Daniel Molina i Casamajó in the year 1848 and the street lamps by Antoni Gaudí. During the day it's a pretty chill place to sit relax and enjoy the marvelous architecture while sipping a drink. It gets super lively in the evening because it's chock full of some of the city's most famous clubs and numerous restaurants. Sidecar, Jamboree, and Karma are all located in this plaza just to name a few. Rosanna and I hung out there one afternoon and planned out the sites we wanted to see for the day.

posted under Must See, Plaça Reial | 0 Comments

Boqueria Finest Food Market in Barcelona

Iye:

El Mercat de la Boqueria or simply La Boqueria is the best, oldest, and most unique food market in Barcelona and one of the best markets in Europe. It was surprised by the odd variety of meats seafood that they sold like fish heads, stomach tripe and octopus. It's quite an experience to walk through the hoards of people that congregate there. Even if you're not planning on buying anything it's simply a great place to wander around. The venders are all very friendly and helpful. It began in different location as a open-air market where fruit and vegetable vendors came to sell their products and was later moved to create more space. After many renovations it became the grand market it is today. Today, this popular food market sells fresh fruit, vegetables and seafood arguably some of the best in Barcelona. To add to the list of items the offer they also sell high quality wines, olives and my personal favorite was the selection of sweets.

Address Carrer de la Boqueria

Open Monday thru Saturday 8:00am -8:30pm

Area El Raval

Public Transportation Metro Liceu

Watch more Barcelona videos at tripfilms.com

La Boqueria market video

Boqueria

Panoramio

stukinha

posted under El Mercat Boqueria, Food, Shopping | 0 Comments