Barcelona

[Wilfrid]

The total that ended up on my bank account for Hisop (three courses plus amuses, a glass of Cava, a half-bottle of Albarino, cognac, mignardises): $141. That includes everything.

Also all-inclusive, three savory courses and dessert (I ate a dessert!) with wines BTG at La Sosenga: $68.

Much as I love Manhattan... Actually, let's talk about Queens. $173 total last night and not anywhere near the level of the restaurants above.

 

[Sneakeater]

I just came into Camarón de la Isla’s complete discography.  “Pig in shit” would be an understatement. 

[Wilfrid]

That sounds good.

Bar Leo is crazy about Bambino and he’s great but I am more about the Shrimp and Terremoto.

[Sneakeater]

Having delved into my collection, I'm not kicking Bambino out of my CD player tray, either.

Listening to Leonard Cohen after Flamenco is um illuminating.  He wasn't bullshitting about that influence.

[Wilfrid]

I did not know Cohen claimed that: interesting.

[Wilfrid]

This suddenly got real. Just over two weeks away. I have La Sosenga reserved and I am looking at the Hisop menu. The good news, my usual hotel is hilariously cheap mid-January.

[Wilfrid]

For anyone not following my obsessions, I am flying to Barcelona to see Hinds at Sala Apolo. I will also see my godson, who lives there, and his father who will travel from the UK for post-punk pop.

[Wilfrid]

Booked Hisop.

[Wilfrid]

Barcelona in the sixties. I just have to get out of here.

[hollywood]

On 12/30/2024 at 2:32 PM, Wilfrid said:

Booked Hisop.

Are you meeting Ana for dinner?

[MitchW]

13 hours ago, Wilfrid said:

Barcelona in the sixties. I just have to get out of here.

I hear it was really nice there back in the '60s.

[Wilfrid]

19 hours ago, hollywood said:

Are you meeting Ana for dinner?

Breakfast, I thought.

[Wilfrid]

Thinking about the old dancehall where Hinds are playing, I guess there has to be just one "l" in the Apolo part or it might be perceived as Chicken Coop.

[hollywood]

I'm curious whether they expand beyond what appears to be their typical setlist.  https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/hinds/2024/brighton-music-hall-boston-ma-5357af5d.html

[Wilfrid]

I expect that's the set. They are still selling the new album of course. It will be different seeing them addressing the audience in Spanish.

Bobby Van's at Terminal 8. Last stop before the late flight

[Wilfrid]

SadIy Bobby Van's is shutting down. It has been my last post before the BCN flight for a while. Devoted readers will remember me drinking with a Finnish metal band called Cliff Barnes on my last trip. I remember anyway.

In other minor annoyances, after considering my packing for several days, I forgot a travel adapter. And I have a bunch.

Post-martini schlep around the terminal until I found one in a remote kiosk. Boy, does Ana owe me.

[hollywood]

Cliff Barnes, the Dallas character?

[Wilfrid]

Yes indeed. Why I do not know. Find them on YouTube. 

Very smooth trip that I am now celebrating with a Hanky Panky in Boadas.
 

 

[Wilfrid]

More detail about food later but again, smacked in the face by the prices. This lovely bar, huge plates of potato chips and crackers, the best charcuterie and cheese, more charcuterie comped, two glasses of the most expensive cava, a reserve red, a shot of good cognac = $40. That's it, no gratuity.

I just retreated to a cozy bar behind my hotel for a digestif which will cost pennies and I get a bread/tomato/tortilla snack with it.

The two high end cocktails at Boadas did reach $27, kind of NYC happy hour, but as always no tip on top of that.

If I eat and drink enough I will pay for my flight.

[Wilfrid]

Well this has been a long day but always worth it. Seven hours of sleepless squirming on a plane, but look what it gets you.

It gets you here.

[hollywood]

On 1/13/2025 at 7:19 PM, Wilfrid said:

Boy, does Ana owe me.

Well, she owes you, however, through the power of transitivity, Ana, you owe me. Give Wilf a handshake and nothing more. I will see you in March.

[Wilfrid]

If Ana is not in a relationship, the world is mad.

[Wilfrid]

Last night's food was at Bodega 8 that I discovered last time I was here. It's an attractive room in an old building on Placa de Merce, sweeping modern bar, mainly locals and regulars and big cute dogs.

The owner remembered me so comps followed. In addition to superb ham and fuet from the family carnisseria and cheese with walnuts she sent out pepper bacon and longaniza. Cava, Pla del Blages tinto and a chupito of cognac.

[small h]

45 minutes ago, Wilfrid said:

If Ana is not in a relationship, the world is mad.

Or! Or! She just likes being on her own.

[Wilfrid]

Excellent two-floor show of Catalan artists in Paris (1900-1914) at Museu Picasso. Lunch a few steps away at Tapeo, opposite El Xampanyet. This is Tapeo by Daniel Rueda who apparently used to be at Commerc24.

Very good pincho moruno with mint yogurt; a hunk of morcilla de Burgos with piri piri sauce and a scoop of housemade cream cheese; a plate of eggplants in honey and lime which was good, but too large and too rich for one person. With a glass of wine and mineral water, 26 euros.

Walked it off at the Leger show at Palau Martorell. Last photo is Bodega 8 spied from a window of the Palau.