Omg so the first thing I did this morning was March on over to Versace to buy the little handbag I’ve been thinking about all night. It was such a nice feeling when we came back that both guys remembered our faces (with masks) and names. The sales person who specifically helped us is name Flo. He was so friendly and sweet. He made sure to get an absolute new bag for me from the back and packaged it up so nicely. Even walked my bag to the door for me! What a gentleman!
After we dropped off the goods, we stopped next door from our hotel to Cafe Fargo 1957 to get a latte and cappuccino for the road. It will be a lot of walking today!
It was a fast food type of cafe but they serve it pretty cute. You order, pay and receive tour order at the counter all at once on a tray to take away to a self serve table. The latte and flat milk was creamy and rich. They also gave two small cookies on the side.
Today was a lot of walking. We walked by the Casa Batllo, the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia and the Parc Guell (all of Gaudi’s famous artsy masterpieces). Today was devoted to Gaudi! His artwork and style is so whimsical.
This was our snack spot that we got on the walk towards the Parc Guell (1hr walk total from hotel).
We got two Panellets (bite size cookies made with almonds and sugar coated in pine nuts). There was a distinct almond taste and a paste like texture inside the cookies. We saw it everywhere and wanted to try out of curiosity.
After a loooong day of walking to all of Gaudi’s work, we finally got our first real meal at Casa Alfonso. It actually ended up being our only real meal of the day because it was so late (like 7)?
I decided I would like to try a glass of sangria anywhere that would offer not a pitcher. I might like to sip on sangrias actually. It also feels more hydrating. This sangria I did not like too much. There was something else added that gave it an extra flavor I do not appreciate nor tasted before in the other sangrias.
Vince likes anchovies and so do I! Anchovies with olive oil and olives is so enjoyable to snack on!
The foie with Oporto reduction was my favorite from this place! The toast was very crispy and light. The foie was a generous piece. That sweet wine reduction added a nice sweetness to the foie that felt like drizzled syrup to me but so good!
Pan con tomate is a common Spanish bread with tomato smushed on it like how we learned from the paella cooking class last night. It’s actually quite tasty when someone else prepares it for you! Also, it seems that people eat the jamon on top of these toasts. Or in our case, the anchovies!
Garlic shrimp was cooked very well, but I did not get a strong garlic flavor.
Monkfish & prawns is the round croquette in the right. It was the most mild in flavor but there was definite chunks of prawns inside.
Vull tail with red wine is the dark brown croquette on top! This was the most savory and flavorful.
Mushrooms with foie was also savory and delicious. Cannot go wrong with this combo!
Vince really wanted meat and wanted to order this filet steak with old mustard. I don’t really care much for it but I’ll also try it to try it. The steak was cooked medium well but nicely seasoned.
We got these padron peppers free by accident! They’re a bit larger than the shishito peppers that Vince normally gets and more “meatier.”
Xiuxos de Girona. Classic cream, chocolate, turron de jujona, Ratafia cream. This was the recommended dessert by our waitress. The pastry is very warm and flaky with light sugar coating all around. The ice cream had a sweet and mild citrus flavor that was dense and contrasted nicely with the delicate flakiness.
After dinner we went back to El Nacional for a night cap drink at one of the bars in the middle. The ambiance and aesthetics of this place is so enticing and inviting, but I must admit the service from the workers all around could be much better and more friendly.
I think Vince was “wined” out and then so went for a beer. I chose a sangria again and it turns out, the sangria comes from a bottle that’s red and white. Also tasted exactly like the one I had the other night here.
Oh my god I’ve been trying to find a Spanish flan everywhere but no restaurants offer it!!! This is the first place for me to see bar on the menu and it is ironically at a bar. So cute and tasty dessert by itself but not the decadent and rich Spanish flan I’ve been chasing?? Have I thought of Spanish flan all wrong?
