Meals
Lunch at Patron
Yesterday with our guide, we had a more typical noontime meal. We sampled these tapas: octopus chunks with potato, shrimps in garlic oil (a dish we’ve enjoyed in the past), thin slices of fried eggplant, crispy like potato chips, and tomato bread.
Everything was good, especially the eggplant.
Then seafood paella, sized for 2 people, was delivered to the table. It was huge and by then, none of us had much room left for more than a few forkfuls. We dined at 1:00 pm, but most Spaniards have a big meal sometime between 2:00 and 4:00 pm, and then something light (tapas, perhaps) at 10:00 or 11:00 pm.
Dinner at our hotel
After that sizable lunch, we ordered more sparingly last evening. In addition to some wonderfully toothsome bread, we tried mini brioches stuffed with crabmeat, the cheese plate, and little potato tacos. These were tiny potato chips stuffed with shrimp like a real taco.
Both the brioches and the tacos were scrumptious! We also sampled the orange cake which was just okay.
Lunch at Bar Mono
Today we took a more relaxed approach to life after our big Gaudi excursion yesterday. This meant a later start and a short walk before returning to this tapas restaurant we had liked on our first day. Patatas bravas, beef croquettes, and the lovely fried artichoke flowers gave us enough sustenance for the afternoon.
From La Rambla to the Port
After lunch, walking to the port was our goal. La Rambla, a long boulevard, divides the Old Town in half with the middle portion being pedestrians only. Currently, La Rambla is being improved and renovated so there are torn up areas, construction vehicles and fenced off areas. Nonetheless, it’s still fun to pass by flower stands, news vendors, and many open-air cafes.
On our way, we briefly detoured down a side street to the magnificent Placa Reial or Royal Square. It was teeming with people, tourists and others, as we sat by the fountain and enjoyed gazing at the palm trees and the mustard facade of the buildings.
Port Vell at the end of La Rambla is the port for leisure and is just beyond the old customs house. Large boats are anchored and alongside is a pier of contemporary design containing shops and a restaurant.
Note: All photos ©JWFarrington (some rights reserved.)
