Three Museum Tourists Overlook

And finally, the third of our overlooked Barcelona museums, a little gem right in the center where there’s never a line or a crowd. No. 3: Fundacio Tapies Right in the center of town off the prestigious Passeig de Gracia, Fundació Tàpies is located in a fabulous building with one of the artist’s crazy sculpture on top of it, resembling a giant yarn ball of barbed wire. It’s hard to miss. Inside there is a...

May 13th, 2008 | Barcelona | Read More

Italian. Always a Good Choice

When you want the real deal, head to Pastarito Spain is a little over an hour away by plane from Italy. The two countries peek at each other over the Mediterranean Sea, and share more in style and architecture than either might like to admit. This is why it has always been confusing to me as to why it is so hard to find Italian food products in Barcelona. Want ricotta? You’ll need to go to a specialty store. Italian mozzarella? You won’t find an original in your local...

May 5th, 2008 | Barcelona | Read More

CAF

Catalan Books and Fresh Squeezed Juice I’ll admit it; I didn’t know that the Barcelonese spoke Catalan as their mother-tongue until about a month before moving to the city. “Catalan?” I said “What’s that?” Catalan is the language of Catalonia, an area of Spain stretching along the eastern shoreline from France to Valencia (Catalan is also spoken on the Balearic Islands and in Andorra). News, songs, signs and books...

May 5th, 2008 | Barcelona | Read More

Music in the May

A Diverse Schedule of International Artists May rolls out la musica in Barcelona, with international performances lined up mid-month. There’s always interesting music happening in the city, but as we move briskly towards the summertime, the variety and abundance of talent increases. Here are three bands to consider checking out this month: Adam Freeland – May 10th – The Loft This politically-minded British DJ spins house, break beats and more. One of his new tunes is dedicated...

May 5th, 2008 | Barcelona | Read More

Four Bars for a Night Out

There’s a bar on every corner in Barcelona. Some are better than others. The thirst for night life is so strong in Spain that almost any night of the week one will find friends sipping mojitos in small taverns, clubs, and bars around town. Here are just a few: 1-Red Club In my favorite neighborhood, Barceloneta, the Red Club is on Joan Borbó street along the port. This is a restaurant and bar with funk on Thursday nights. Info: Tuesday – Sunday : 7pm to 3am Passeig Joan...

April 29th, 2008 | Barcelona | Read More

The Picasso Museum

art and quiche Those who come to Barcelona should visit the Picasso Museum. Along with the Miró Museum and the MANC, the Picasso Museum is one of the city’s best. The building in of itself is a grand place, set in the heart of the hip Borne barrio, deep in the city’s gothic center. Besides peeking at the works of the Malaga-born painter, the museum offers a fabulous new café to have lunch. Creatively named, Café Museu...

April 29th, 2008 | Barcelona | Read More

Live Music: Harlem Jazz Club Rocks Everyday of the

True, it can be crowded and smoky, not to mention loud and standing-room-only. Still, the Harlem Jazz Club holds a special place in my heart for its unique ability to make any hum-drum night a whole lot of fun. Harlem is one of the best bohemian-bar, small concert venues in the city. This could be because it’s been around for a while, first opening its doors to swingers and shakers in 1988. It offers an extensive lineup each week, with groups playing soul, flamenco-fusion, tango, swing,...

April 29th, 2008 | Barcelona | Read More

BOUTIQUE HAIR

When not just any cut will do… Catalans are generally a creative bunch. Walking around Barcelona one finds it hard not to ogle over embellished architecture, vivid shop windows, and ornate fountains. Over-the-top creative expression seems to be in the blood in this town (just look at Miró and Dalí; both Catalans), for better or worse. Besides sporting lively outfits of the most fantastic rainbow of colors, people in Barcelona also like to represent...

April 22nd, 2008 | Barcelona | Read More

SUSHI-RAMA:When you need raw fish, here

I’m not sure what’s happened in Barcelona in the last couple years, but I call it the ‘Sushi Explosion’. This is by no means a bad thing, especially if you love sushi, and I do. Yes, it’s trendy. No, they’re not all great sushi joints. And yes, many are stuffed to the gills with over priced cocktails and designer boots. And then there are a couple others which just serve good raw fish on pads of rice, which is what I recommend when you get that wasabi-craving. Here...

April 22nd, 2008 | Barcelona | Read More

Going Out Gay in BCN

Barcelona is known for being a fabulous gay vacation destination. With legalized gay marriage, a ‘live and let live’ philosophy and a great scene, it’s no wonder many of the city’s residents and visitors are same-sex couples. In fact, Spain (rather surprisingly) has one of the most liberal same-sex marriage laws in the world, which also includes the right to adoption. The city has quite a reputation for clubbing or discos of all kinds, and seems to excel in the gay...

April 22nd, 2008 | Barcelona | Read More

Golden Glass With Lots of Sass

When I visited Las Vegas for the first time, the all-you-can-eat sefood buffet surprised me. As anyone who has had a bad fish knows, good seafood is found close to water. Barcelona is no exception. For fresh seafood tapas, it only makes sense to go to the sea! El Vaso de Oro, near the port, is a loud, chaotic beer bar where it’s usually standing room only. Serving some of the best tapas in town, this restaurant has a large menu to choose from. As for seafood, try the garlic and olive oil covered...

April 16th, 2008 | Barcelona | Read More

Barcelona

It’s a hidden oasis of tranquility in a city where smoky cafes, noise pollution and crowded tables are the norm. Café Laie is my all-time BCN favorite for a number of reasons, and the smoking/non-smoking split option is just one of them. Maybe I’m a hypocrite, but as an ex-smoker I now like to have my cortado smoke-free and usually patron bars and restaurants which do not resemble gas chambers of second-hand humo. But I digress. Smoking rights aside, Laie has a lot...

April 16th, 2008 | Barcelona | Read More

This month’s picks for music in BCN April 08: Wednesday the 16th: Pastora is from Barcelona, but made it big a while back with that catchy tune “Lola”. She and her band put on a good performance. Monday the 21st: Palau 100 is a concert put on by the city’s orchestra in celebration of La Palau de la Música’s 100th Birthday. La Palau is most definitely the most spectacular theater in Barcelona. Saturday...

April 15th, 2008 | Barcelona | Read More

Barcelona: Out and About in April

What’s going on in the Catalan Capital this month? We have a short winter in Barcelona, which is one of the 1,000,000,000 reasons I love living here. Spring is in full-effect presently, with birds chattering from leafy trees and a few brave souls trying to swim in the Mediterranean. Last weekend I wore sandals for the first time in months, accompanied by a scarf. Yes, primavera! April has more going for it than spring fashion...

April 15th, 2008 | Barcelona | Read More

TAPAS: EL ROVELL DE BORN

Chic tapa bar specializing in Basque pintxos. A Basque tapa follows a basic formula: a small round of bread topped usually with cheese, meat, or fish. Tapas at Rovell are creative stacks of tantalizing ingredients. Try the brie and marmalade or stuffed sweet pepper pintxo for something different and delicious. Rovell also has hot tapas from the kitchen and daily seafood options such as muscles and grilled prawns. Rovell in Catalan means ‘egg yoke’...

April 11th, 2008 | Barcelona | Read More

Barcelona’s Little Secret : Neighborhoods

Why Barceloneta is Where to Stay and Play in the Catalan Capital- By Regina WB Shhhh; it’s a secret. It’s hard to keep a lid on anything in Barcelona, but Barceloneta has just about succeeded. And maybe I should keep it that way? After all, it’s my neighborhood, and I don’t want it to be over-run with hotels and cheesy souvenir shops. You’ll keep it between...

April 11th, 2008 | Barcelona | Read More

BCN Deals: Hotel Banys Orientals

In the gothic part of the city Banys Orientals overlooks Av. Argenteria, a cobblestone pedestrian street, lined with arty boutiques and equally unique restaurants. Fifteen years ago, this area of the city was somewhat run-down and dodgy. Now it’s known as Barcelona’s hippest neighborhood, and is especially popular with creative foreigners and cutting-edge Catalan designers and chefs. The Picasso Museum is located here, as is Maria Del Mar Church. Attention to detail is of...

April 8th, 2008 | Barcelona | Read More

ONOFRE TAPAS

Most people think tapa when they think Spain. Onofre Restaurant does gourmet tapas with a Mediterranean/Catalan emphasis. Dishes are small in size and big on creativity, from anchovies in a honey sauce and garlic to sample platters of traditional European cheeses and Iberia ham. The wine list is also Spanish, with options from all over the country. Tucked in the gothic zone down a hand-laid stone street right around the corner from the Cathedral, but not on the tourist track.Inside the restaurant...

April 8th, 2008 | Barcelona | Read More

Europe’s City Bike Programs By Regina W.B. The Bicing Bike is bright red with shiny white wheel covers, a short body, adjustable seat, back and front pedal-activated lights, and a nifty metal ‘basket’ on the handlebars which is perfect for a briefcase...

April 8th, 2008 | Barcelona | Read More