StringGrrl sees the World

Wanderbeak Guide, Dani, met us on Passeig de Gracia for a short walking tour of food & modernist architecture. The Tour was a gift from Vikram's Wife El Nacional- First Stop for Cava and Oysters Our tour took us to several foodie destinations along the Passeig de Gracia. Our first stop was El Nacional. I didn't take any pictures of the restrooms, but really visit the restrooms. They are wonderful to behold (albeit a little weird to be down in the john taking photos). El Nacional Market selections at El Nacional Oyster bar at El Nacional Oysters: Mediterranean and Atlantic The Block of Discord: Battle Royale of Modernist Architects  Casa Ametller Further along the Passeig de Gracia, we arrive at the Block of Discord and visited a few of the sites of the spectacular examples of Modernist Architecture in Barcelona. We entered one establishment, chocolatier Casa Amettler.  Gothic and Flemish details come together Styling garage doors in Casa Ametller The Garage of Casa Ametlle...

Outside the Posada de la Villa Head to Madrid and eat. No, that's it you go there and you eat, drink, eat,  sleep, and then maybe go grab a bite to eat. At least that is my experience while in Madrid. The barkeeper was not sure what to do about StringGirl On the recommendation of the travel booker for this corporate event we made it outside of the airport area in order to have a meal not in the hotel or with the massive group converging on Madrid for our annual kickoff meeting and sales training. We took the cab to Posada de la Villa (the Inn of the village). For many of us in the group it was our first trip to Madrid, so we had not much concept of what was the order of the evening. Sure Jamon and Queso and Vino Tinto, but what else does Madrid offer? We were about to find out. The Inn of the Villa bar is also where they hang the Jamon. Who needs decorations when you also need to dry age hams? No disappointment about the Jamon. There was plenty to be had around th...

A plate full of small fried fish and baby squid (octopi?)  Chiringuito Las Sardinitas by Monchos One of the delights of a visit to Barcelona is the rich foodie culture and great opportunities for seafood and small plates (Tapas). This small excursion into town was to stop at several places and find small items that could be eaten at a go without completely filling up. Besides I started quite early in the day and would not be able to find a full dinner as Catalans are known for eating dinner very late (starting at 10:00 is early for many of my friends). Pulpo and Jamon Iberico also at  Chiringuito Las Sardinitas by Monchos The first stop on this little walk were some nibbles at the seaside at a Chiringuito run by the Barcelona restaurant chain MONCHOs. KamGrrl and I went with our friend Xavi who after a short tour around the beaches for some beer took us over to Chiringuitos Las Sardinas for a small serving of Tapas and Paella. Paella del Mar  After the Pa...

One of the many iconic views of Barcelona are those of Parc Guell, an urban development study by Catalan modernist Antoni Gaudi . Envisioned to the be the center of a largely unsuccessful housing development on what was then the outskirts of Barcelona, Parc Guell , the park was to be the centerpiece of a possible new neighborhood on the hill away from the pollution of industrial Barcelona. The park is now a municipal garden which has a free portion and a paid fee "monument" area.  The gardens are singular in their style which this blogger has currently a lack of words. So, many pictures are instead following. Maybe with greater thought some reasonable narrative could be developed, but not today. looking down at the viaduct from the the Plaza detail of the tilework along the serpentine railing/bench surrounding the central plaza The iconic Dragon  Catalan Nationalism is a strong motif throughout rough hewn rock makes up the railing o...