EMPIRE TRAVELLER

BARCELONA

 

FOOD & DINING

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BOTAFUMEIRA: Langoustine - Lobster Salad - Shrimp Croquette - Calamari - Seafood Platter - Sea Bass - Paella

This is one of Barcelona's most popular and authentic seafood restaurants, with a slightly classic feel to it and a big food selection. Every dish we ordered did not disappoint. Most recommended would be the crispy Shrimp Croquettes with a tangy side dressing that added flavour to everything; the Lobster Salad is particularly good, and the Seafood Platter is a great choice to share (a mix of shrimps, prawns, langoustine, mussels, oysters). As for the main courses, the salt-crusted Sea Bass is light and tender with an infusion of olive oil and roasted vegetables; but the Paella certainly beats it - an absolute must-have, it was actually the best paella I tried in Barcelona. For dessert, they brought us complimentary bites that were actually better than their dessert options (the almond biscuits and spongy coconut cake are amazing). And although it was hard to communicate with the staff in English, the service was fast and friendly.

 

DA GRECO: Burrata - Beef Carpaccio - Foie Gras - White Truffle Tortellini - Mushroom Ravioli - Gorgonzola Tagliatelle - Tomato Gnocchi - Filet of Veal Flambéed in Cognac - Cheesecake - Brownies - Black Forrest Cake

If you're thinking it's ridiculous to have Italian in Barcelona, Da Greco will make you think again. A family-run restaurant with Southern Italian cuisine and an elegant atmosphere (chandeliers, old paintings, bookshelves), Da Greco makes for an excellent dinner location. The staff is so polite, you'll find that the chef's wife helps out and many of the waiters are family members. For starters, the Burrata and Carpaccio greatly complement each other; the Foie Gras (served with bread and figs) is also a good choice. For the second course, go overboard with pasta because it is truly their speciality there. The absolute must-have is the Gorgonzola Tagliatelle (light and creamy with a subtle taste of cheese); the Truffle Tortellini is a little heavier but amazing; and the Mushroom Ravioli is also really good. As for the meats, the Filet of Veal was superb - lightly flambéed in cognac (no hint of it in the taste), with no fat and a tender centre. For dessert, the Cheesecake and Black Forrest Cake were excellent finishers. Take a break from paella here and you won't regret it.

 

NUBA: Crispy Parmesan Prawns - Smashed Eggs with Potato Lobster - Lobster Mango Salad - Cheese Risotto - Scampi Rice - Tuna & Steak Tartare - Breaded Hake Medallions - Peking Duck - Sushi Platter - Cheesecake - Chocolate Soufflé - Creme Brulée

Nuba is a trendy lounge bar/restaurant serving modern Asian cuisine in an amazing atmosphere for a summer night. You can enjoy drinks and hookah in the lounge (which is more of a hangout area with upbeat music and dim lighting); and outside, there is a mix of high and low tables in a garden-like terasse - a great mix if you want to enjoy your dinner, drinks, and music in the same place at the same time. The staff is a bit slow and surprisingly hard to communicate with, but the food makes up for it. There are so many tempting dishes to choose from, so order a lot to share. The Crispy Prawns, Smashed Eggs, and Lobster Salad are excellent starts; and for tartare fans, both the Tuna and Steak were fresh and flavorsome, accompanied by icecream-like dips. Avoid the Risotto and Scampi Rice, they were extremely disappointing; and the Sushi Platter was average. For a more wholesome meal, the Hake and Peking Duck are both good choices. As for dessert, the Cheesecake beats everything else. Overall, Nuba is a good spot if you're looking for a hip night-out.

 

NUEVE REINAS: Burrata Milanese - Grilled Cheese - Thin Meat - Vitello Tonnato - Mixed Salads - Waffle Cut Fries - Mixed Meat Cuts - Caramel Volcano - Balcarce Cake - Don Pedro Parfait 

A small Argentinian steakhouse with excellent service and top notch food (with Messi as a regular customer!). If you go as a large group, the waiter will most likely recommend three different meat cuts (each one chosen based on the best cook-time and pairing), serving them one after the other to share; and this was probably the best way to try as much as possible of the menu. If you are overwhelmed by all the choices, definitely ask for recommendations and selections. The meat cuts are of impeccable quality; they're all so juicy and tender, you can't really go wrong with your order. The starters were also superb - especially the Burrata Milanese (lightly breaded cheese) and Vitello Tonnato. For dessert, the Balcarce cake (a traditional Argentinian sponge cake with layers of biscuit, meringue, and cream) and the Caramel Volcano (an oozing explosion of caramel and soufflé cake served with vanilla icecream) are to die for. Nueve Reinas was an overall superb experience; definitely a priority when in Barcelona.

 

PLACES TO VISIT & THINGS TO DO

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SAGRADA FAMILIA: Probably Barcelona's #1 must-see attraction. Another one of Gaudi's masterpieces, this unfinished church is an incredible sight of architectural genius and innovation; it's like stepping into a galactic cathedral. It's very spacious, with colorful stained glass, tall slender columns, and insanely high ceilings that are amazing to marvel at. Unfortunately, there were no time slots available to visit the towers, but the view is probably worth it. Make sure you book your tickets ahead of time to guarantee time slots and to skip the hour-long queue outside. Also, there is no particular dress code for entrance, most people were in shorts and/or bare-shoulders.

 

CATEDRAL DE BARCELONA: A beautiful, Romanesque/Gothic cathedral near Gracia, this is one of Barcelona's most famous sights; it's hard to miss if you're just walking around that area. However, they're quite strict with clothing, so cover your shoulders and make sure you wear something just slightly above the knees (no hot shorts allowed).

 

MONTJUIC: A sight-packed area where you can spend the day touring around different castles, museums, etc. You can start off at the MNAC Palau Nacional (from Romanesque and Gothic Catalan art to Gaudi and Surrealism, and a gorgeous overview of the city and fountain outside). You can then go to Pablo Espanyol and walk around the old buildings and cobbled streets, and enjoy an authentic Spanish experience. The Castello is another sight you can visit, though it is not particularly fascinating as there's nothing much left inside the castle; use the telefrique for transportation (gorgeous view!)

 

TIBIDABO: An incredible viewpoint of Barcelona, Tibidabo is a fairy-tale like mountain with a beautiful church on top (Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus) and a small amusement park. The church itself is not particularly impressive, but the upper balconies and roofs are a must-visit (take the elevator to the highest level). Make sure you go on a sunny day because you'll get a breathtaking view of the city from above. It's also a long ride away from the city, so organize your transportation well (it's hard to find taxis up there).

 

LA RAMBLA: One of the city's busiest and most crowded streets that stretches on from the port, full of local shops, cafes, and antique stores. Take an afternoon stroll through it and discover it as you go.

 

GRACIA: This is another one of Barcelona's most popular shopping streets, stretching 4-5 km with a diverse line up of designer brands. There are many cafes and restaurants for quick stops, and several side streets that branch out into more local areas. It's nice to walk around and discover as you go. You'll also stumble across many Gaudi buildings, so keep your eye out for any unusual and playful architecture (including the Padrera Museum).

 

PICASSO MUSEUM + SANTA MARIA DEL MAR CHURCH: These two sights are in the Placeta de Montcada/Passeig del Born area - a small, local area (but very touristy) with narrow side streets and old boutiques to walk through. Pass by the Picasso museum if you're a fan. 

 

PALAU DE LA MUSICA CATALANA/TEATRE: One of Gaudi's creations, with an especially beautiful exterior in the back. 

 

CAMP NOU: If you're an FC Barcelona fan, this needs no introduction. Even if you're not, you might as well visit the stadium while you're in the city. Unless you're a football fan, you can skip the museum and simply go see the stadium (the part I enjoyed most was walking out from the locker rooms onto the field, as they play the sound of cheering crowds in the background to create the same energy the players experience before a game). Buy your tickets online beforehand.

 

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GRANADA

 

PLACES TO VISIT & THINGS TO DO

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ALHAMBRA: Probably the #1 attraction sight in all of Granada, Alhambra is full of palaces, castles, and gardens that are worth an entire day (or two, if you don't want to rush) of touring around. If you're in Granada for a short time, definitely make this your priority and you'll find that you've seen almost everything the city is famous for. Book your tickets online to skip the long wait; and keep in mind that some of the sights have specific time slots. I would say the two attractions you should really dedicate your time to are the Nasrid Palaces and the Generalife Gardens; these two sights are definitely the most beautiful and interesting. The Nasrid Palace has an especially gorgeous and intricate courtyard known as the "Patio of the Lions" and a long reflective pool that really captures the serenity of the place; the engraved walls inside are also stunning. As for the Generalife, you'll be walking through mesmerizing gardens surrounded by tall trees, colorful plants, and fountains that stretch throughout the entire yard; this is probably one of the most relaxing strolls you can ever take. Definitely worth your time and energy!

 

GRANADA CATHEDRAL: An enchantingly spacious cathedral with a beautiful chancel/altar, intricate gold accents, and stained glass. There's also an overwhelmingly gold altarpiece that is definitely marvel-worthy. Visit in the daylight for a serence experience.

 

MONASTERY OF ST. JEROME: Another one of Granada's most beautiful cathedrals, with an ornate nave of frescos that lead up to an altar made up of dozens of paintings and gold columns. The ceiling is covered in more elaborate artwork and carving. You can also take a walk around the courtyard outside.

 

REALEJO-SAN MATIAS: One of the main streets in central Granada lined with shops and restaurants. This is a good place to wander around if you're not visiting historic attractions; you'll find that it branches out into smaller streets that are nice to get lost in. Also look for Plaza De Bib-Rambla, a pretty Florentine square with many shops and cafés encircling a fountain in the middle.