Barcelona – Saturday, 2 pm

Tapas, tapas, tapas.

Refreshingly charming to settle in at a café or tapas bar and not see a SINGLE laptop, cell phone or iPad in sight. In questioning the lack of texting/phone chatting on sidewalks and non-existent work equipment in public places, my guide exclaimed in his charming accented English: we are at lunch to dine and converse with our friends and family; we are not here working. America, pay attention, por favor.

Barcelona’s Best:

LOLITA Tapería Famed chef Joan Martínez, makes the comic Seinfeld Soup Nazi chef seem sweet and docile! The Tapas bar becomes a vermouthery on Saturday afternoon, which is the rage in Spain. Vermouth is a lunch staple and an easily acquired custom. Lunch is late which influences those daunting dinner hours!

Chef Martinez diligently sliced, grated and drizzled with a stern and serious expression. Clearly entranced with his cooking, he was not at all interested in my note taking or photo snapping as he passed by my perch at the bar. Generally, I meet chefs and/or wait staff and learn much about their cooking philosophy. My suitcase was stuffed with prized olive oils from renowned restaurants, gifted by several chef’s. Luckily, my fab guide, a foodie expert, walked me through the delectable delights. Vermouth, si!

 

To add to your list:

TICKETS BAR LA VIDA TAPA Ferran Adria’s brother. Frequently sold out, make reservations!

TEN’S Chef Jordi Cruz is linked with well-known ABaC restaurant

TAPAS 24 This chef has a lovely restaurant Michelin star – COMERÇ 24

BAR DEL PLA This chef has an excellent restaurant called PLA