Archive for August, 2009

Fiestas de Gracia and Tapas at l’anxoveta

Monday, August 31st, 2009

Last week I was walking on the decorated streets of the Gracia district, and as every year, the street festival was really worth a visit.
The Gracia neighborhood takes its street party seriously and are working very hard to decorate their streets with the help of patience and lots of creativity.
But all the walking is going to make you hungry and then what better plan is there than: Tapas at l’Anxoveta!!

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A few months back we discovered this modern decorated tapas bar with its traditional selection of tapas and when we visited this time around, we were once again very pleased.
At first impression it reminds us of Tapaç 24, but if I’m going to choose where I get most value for money, I choose without hesitation l’anxoveta. The service is relaxed and homely and the food very good. I recommend “las bombas” and of course the Cantabrian anchovy that has given the restaurant its name.

And since a picture is worth a thousand words … here you are:

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Address: C / Sant Domènech, 16 (Barrio de Gracia) (tel: 934159223)
Opening times: Closed on Tuesdays


See l’Anxoveta on a bigger map

Fancy an evening at the cinema? Relax, we also show movies in their original versions

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

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You are in Barcelona and it is raining or it´s just too hot to walk down the street. At the same time the movie you have been waiting for has its world premiere!
Then I propose a plan for a movie and popcorn in central Barcelona and what is most important: films in their original versions in case your effort picking up the Spanish language during the last few days in Barcelona hasn´t been a complete success.

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Boliche Cinema is located on the Avenida Diagonal (No. 508, between C / Tuset and C / Balmes), it offers good movies, comfortable chairs, a nice bar to wait before entering and delicious fresh popcorn.

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What more can you ask for of a cinema?
So now you know, if you fancy a movie, go to Boliche.

Today we prepare the world’s best croquetas: My grandmothers!

Tuesday, August 18th, 2009

In Barcelona, you can order croquetas in any restaurant or tapas bar at any time but after that you’ve  tried my grandmother’s 100 years old recipe, you will have difficulties to find a better tasting “croqueta”.
So please, enjoy one of my family’s best kept secrets.

INGREDIENTS

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PREPARATION

1. Chop the onion and ham (separated)

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2. Fry the onion in a saucepan with olive oil.
3. When the onion starts to get a golden color, add the ham and stir a bit.
4. Add flour while stirring. Continue stirring and add the milk a little at a time and stir until the mix becomes smooth and let it simmer for 5 minutes.

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5. Let the mix cool off in the fridge for a couple of hours.
6. Form the mix into “croquetas” by using 2 tablespoons.

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7. Roll each “croqueta” in eggs and breadcumbs.

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8. Deep-fry in very hot olive oil.

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If you want, you can do many at a time and freeze them (before you deep-fry).
In this way, you always have some tapas ready if you would get a surprise guest!

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Summer with children in the center of Barcelona

Wednesday, August 5th, 2009

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The heat wave of recent weeks, has made it almost impossible to take a stroll through Barcelona.. The summer has only just begun and if your idea is to come to Barcelona with young children, this finding in the heart of the Eixample district, will save many tears, and serve to cool you all down a bit before continuing your route through the city streets.

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“The beach of l’Eixample, is a space of leisure where the little ones can swim in the pool and playing in the sand every day from June 24 until September 7. Its perfect location in the heart of Barcelona, allows the children to swim and play outdoors in the sand even the days you don’t have time to go all the way to the beach.

The entry is only € 1.45 or € 0.65 in the case of large families (3 or more children.) If you want to put your feet in the water you can do that from Monday to Friday from 10.00 to 20.00h and Saturdays and Sundays from 10.00 to 15.00h.

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Address: C / Roger de LlĂşria, 56
ph: (+34) 934234350