The Santa Caterina burger at Kiosko

Burgers – often derided especially in relation to McDonalds. And not the most traditional of Catalan foods. But the list of burger places in Barcelona just keeps growing and growing. A phenomenon of relatively recent years that has no sign of dying out.

I do love a good burger. Especially after my recent near death experience with a piece of steak. The allure of ground beef has appreciated ten-fold. So luckily for me burger restaurants (the posh term) seem to be springing up all over BCN. The much-loved Wushu was even turned into a burger bar by its owner Bradley Ainsworth.

In an interview with Le Cool Barcelona, Bradley said,

“Bacoa began almost by accident. I had the space closed for a couple of years and I wanted to sell it, but at a good price. So I set up Bacoa with the idea to sell it… and it turned out to be a hit. It was so successful that I decided to change Wushu into Kiosko, a new gourmet hamburger shop, which opened on January 14th.”

Read the rest of this article…

This is what Google Maps is great for. Creating your own map with points of interest relating to a specific topic and place. This map was created by a friend of mine who is partial to the odd glass of vino. It highlights what he considers to be the best Barcelona bodegas. Or the ones he has come across so far at any rate.

The Best Bodegas in Barcelona (via the medium of Google Maps)

So what is a bodega?

In Spanish the word ‘bodega’ means cellar. But in Spanish-speaking countries it is often used to describe a winery, wine cellar, wine shop, bar or even a small convenience store. Read the rest of this article…

So what is vermouth?

“Vermouth (pronounced ‘ver-məθ [UK] or /vərˈmuːθ/ [US]) is a fortified wine flavored with various dry ingredients. The word “vermouth” comes from the German word wermut for wormwood that has been used as an ingredient in the drink over its history. The modern versions of the beverage were first produced around the late 18th and early 19th centuries in Italy and France. Vermouth was consumed as a medicinal libation until the latter 19th century when it became an important ingredient in many of the first, classic cocktails, such as the martini.” Wikipedia

Cala del Vermut, c/ Magdalenes, 6

Now my knowledge of vermouth is limited to say the least. I always associated it with the Italian red vermouth, Martini Rosso. A foul drink as I remember. A drink from a different era. A drink my parents drunk at dinner parties. I’d tasted it, but generally it was to be avoided. Maybe in the odd cocktail, but on its own, no thank you.

And then I moved to Barcelona and was taken to my very first ‘vermut’ bar, Cala del Vermut, where they serve their own label, Catalan brewed, Spanish vermouth on tap. It comes in a tall straight glass, with ice and a green olive. It was fantastic. I loved it. The perfect apéritif. And at €2 it is an absolute bargain. Read the rest of this article…

Green Tea French Macaron

I’m quite partial to a cake, especially carrot cake. And I make a very good apple, date and walnut cake that may well be the death of me. That’s if the walnut and sour cherry chocolate brownies don’t get me first.

So bribe me with anything cake-like and there’s a good chance I’ll do pretty much anything for you. Except ironing. I hate ironing. But a blog post? No problem. I have absolutely no blogging morals whatsoever when it comes to cake.

So, here goes… Read the rest of this article…

The classic Mojito

When you think of Bacardi you think of Cuba. But these days that has more to do with branding and marketing than anything else. Bacardi is no longer sold in Cuba. The main rum brand in Cuba is now Havana Club – in my mind a far superior rum, especially if you want to push the boat out and go for the Añejo 7 Años dark rum.

But though Bacardi has become an international brand acquiring many other well known drinks brands along the way, it was originally from Cuba. It was founded in Santiago de Cuba way back in 1862. And although eventual opposition to the Castro led revolution forced the company to move its operations to the Bahamas, Bacardi still has a rich Cuban heritage.

So, why should a blog about Barcelona be talking about Cuba and Bacardi? Read the rest of this article…

Maitea Taberna, c/ Casanova, 157

For people from the UK the idea of tapas can sometimes be of slight concern. All the food laid out under or on top of bar-top cabinets. Especially in the summer. It’s never been a problem for me. But I have heard it mentioned.

The same can be said for pincho bars. Bread, especially, doesn’t do well being out for very long. That’s why you have to find a pincho bar that is busy. And serves lots of pinchos that are hardly on the plate long enough for you to spy them and grab one. This is the case in the Maitea Taberna. Read the rest of this article…

The Dalí Chupa Chups logo

Headquartered right here in glorious Barcelona and with a logo designed by Dalí himself, Chupa Chups^® have been around since 1958.

They were originally from Villamayor in Asturias, Northern Spain where Enric Bernat, son of a Catalan family of confectioners, was working. He took over the company he had been at since the early 50s when investors failed to see the potential of his lollipop idea. Fools. Chupa Chups now sell 4 billion lollipops a year to 150 countries worldwide and turn over 500 million euros! Read the rest of this article…