WSET wine courses in Barcelona

I never really drank a lot of wine before coming to Barcelona. But since being here it seems rude not to. And Catalonia, I have learnt, has some of the best wines in the world when it comes to quality versus price. Catalonia has 10 wine regions, the most famous being Priorat. But it is some of the lesser known regions that have become my favourites.

But outside of Catalan wine I knew very little. So I snapped up the chance to get some basic wine knowledge with the guys from Rack and Return. Read the rest of this article…

Pica pica tapas and vermouth tour

We meet Esther, a Barcelona native, outside El Cafetó, a bakery on Ronda de Sant Pau in Sant Antoni. This is purely our meeting point, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it, and so after introductions amongst our group we’re on our way.

I’m on a tapas tour organised by Context Travel. We are experiencing the local tradition of “pica-pica”, enjoying small plates over a glass of vermouth (or wine) before a meal. Our guide is Esther, who grew up cooking with her mother and grandmother. Catalan traditions and cuisine are in her blood. She is bubbly, and clearly very passionate and proud of Catalan produce and cooking. Read the rest of this article…

Restaurante Suchart’s [credit @streetartebcn]

Restaurante Suchart’s, just a hop, skip and a jump from Gran Via 2 shopping centre and Fira Barcelona, deserves each and every one of its glowing five-star reviews.

Suchart’s is an unpretentious restaurant where you’ll feel at home, like one of the l’Hospitalet locals – while enjoying premium quality food at an extremely reasonable price.

The staff are wonderful and attentive, and make a real effort to give their customers a great experience.

Upon arriving we were seated at a table opposite the long bar, and we opted for a selection of tapas followed by the Suchart’s XL gourmet burger. Read the rest of this article…

When someone asks me to meet them on the Ramblas I’m immediately concerned, it’s a bit too hectic for my liking. But my fears were soon allayed as we headed into the foyer of Hotel 1898 – the former headquarters of the General Philippines Tobacco Company.

Originally designed by Catalan architect Josep Oriol Mestres as the private residence of the López y López family, this beautiful, colonial-style building has many original features and the letters FTC (Filipino Tobacco Company) still adorn the entrance-way. A brief walk through the downstairs lounge and we are out on Carrer del Pintor Fortuny, away from the hectic Rambla and our food tour really begins!

I have been invited on the Savor Spain food tour by marvellous Marwa, owner of Wanderbeak Tours, a company just beginning to make their mark on Barcelona and definitely one to watch out for.

Wanderbeak Barcelona Food Tour

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I must say I don’t get over to Poblennou that much. But when I do it’s usually because I visit one of the beaches that separate this up and coming barrio from the sea. And tucked just behind Mar Bella and Nova Mar Bella is the recently opened Picnic Deli.

Picnic Deli, Passeig del Taulat, 138

Picnic Deli makes deli-style baguettes, salads, pastas and other meals daily in their on-site kitchen that you can eat in or take away. They also deliver to a select few local businesses.

Owners Brett and Natasha pride themselves on using fresh local ingredients to produce their ever-changing menu. They use organic produce whenever possible and offer an array of dishes suitable for vegan, vegetarian and coeliac diets. But don’t worry, meat is on the menu too! Read the rest of this article…

If you’re looking for somewhere a little special to eat this summer then you could do a lot worse than El Principal del Eixample. In particular their beautiful interior courtyard.

El Principal del Eixample interior courtyard

This stunning location in Eixample is run by former Grupo Tragaluz stalwart Joan Ferré who after 25 years with the company finally had the opportunity to run his own restaurant. Read the rest of this article…

I’m always up for getting out and about in Barcelona. And when it involves good food and wine I’m all the happier. Free food and wine and you just have to say the word.

So I was over the moon when Nuria and Margherita from Food Lovers Company got in touch to invite me on their Barcelona Tapas Tour.

But let’s be professional here. Free food and wine does not make me lose all morality, at least not in the beginning. You deserve an informative, subjective yet impartial review and that is what you will get. Read the rest of this article…