old school tapas
Taktika Berri Valencia, 169 If your travels to Spain aren’t going to allow time to visit San Sebastian, the home of tapas, you can get a taste of what Basque cuisine is all about at Taktika Berri. Their morcilla (blood sausage) is worth travelling across the world for, as is their salt cod. There is also a non-smoking restaurant section that takes reservations if you are smoke sensitive. Cal Pep Placa de les Olles, 8 www.calpep.com The lighting is bright and old-school, but the service is warm and friendly. With the legendary Pep presiding over things, it’s easy to see why Cal Pep is an institution. No visit to Barcelona would be complete without some tapas and Cal Pep is a great little place to sample the delights. If you get there by 8pm (super early by Spanish standards) you won’t have to wait long for a seat at the bar. Just take a seat, look at what your neighbours are having and start ordering from there. Be sure and try the potato and jamon tortilla. Bar Tomas Major de Sarrià, 49 Located in Sarria, a lovely suburb of Barcelona just a short train journey from Plac,a de Catalunya on the FGC train system, Bar Tomas is well worth the pilgrimage for anyone who loves potatoes in general, and fried potatoes with hot sauce and garlicky mayonnaise in particular. Famous for their patatas baravas this neighbourhood bar is the real deal, with sawdust on the floor and no-frills decor. It’s all about the spuds.
barcelona for food lovers [www.breadshoes.com]
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