a bar… Buza Bar
ENG > I don’t know where it was I read that if you walked in Dubrovnik and saw a sign that said “Cold drinks” better stop what you were doing and follow it, since at the end of the indications awaited a spectacular bar. The truth is that I’m still glad to have paid heed to the advice because after spending all day wandering around the narrow streets full of stairs of the city, take a beer on a cliff overlooking the sea is one of the best things it can happen to you.
Where · When · My order · Planout > Buza Bar · In the evening · Ozujsko · A walk round the walls of Dubrovnik
CAT > No sé on va ser que vaig llegir que si passejaves per Dubrovnik i veies una señal que posava “Cold drinks” millor deixar el que estaves fent i seguir-la, ja que al final de les indicacions t’esperava un bar espectacular. El cert és que encara m’alegro d’haver fet cas del consell, ja que després d’estar donant voltes tot el dia pels carrers estrets i plens d’escales de la ciutat, prendre’s una cervesa en un penyasegat mirant al mar, és una de les millors coses que et poden passar.
On · Quan · Què demano · Planout > Buza Bar · Al vespre · Ozujsko · Una volta per les muralles de Dubrovnik
a restaurant… Llevataps
ENG > My new favorite restaurant in Girona has only a few months of life. Perhaps because they use a mixture of modern and welcoming space with creative, quality food, they already got many points in my particular scale when I first saw it. Finally, a “volcano of mushrooms” convinced me to go in and although I did not get to taste it, none of the dishes that appeared on the table left me indifferent. Finding places like this, cheer up the weekend.
Where · When · My order · Planout > Llevataps · To satisfy the curiosity of the palate · A diner full of nice surprises (37.50 €) · A walk on the streets of the Call
CAT > El meu nou restaurant preferit de Girona només té uns pocs mesos de vida. Potser perquè fan servir una barreja entre espai modern i acollidor amb menjar creatiu i de qualitat, ja tenien molts punts en la meva escala particular quan el vaig veure per primer cop. Finalment, un “volcà de ceps” em va convèncer per entrar-hi i malgrat que no vaig arribar a tastar-lo, cap dels plats que van aparèixer a taula em va deixar de sorprendre. Trobar llocs així t’alegra el cap de setmana.
On · Quan · Què demano · Planout > Llevataps · Per satisfer la curiositat del paladar · Un sopar ple de sorpreses agradables (37,50 €) · Una passejada pels carrers del Call
an ice-cream shop… Rinomata Gelateria
ENG > The word rinomata (renowned) only makes sense if the place to which is applied has the appropriate qualities. Among them, to cause a perennial memory of pleasure. When I think about the strawberry ice-cream from the Gelateria in Milano, it happens something like that… so I suppose that the adjective is more than justified. I’d be able to eat them even in winter!
Where · When · My order · Planout > Rinomata Gelateria · After lunch or any other moment · Strawberry ice-cream · Shopping along Corso di Porta Ticinese
CAT > La paraula rinomata (reconeguda) només té sentit si el lloc al que s’aplica té les qualitats adequades, entre elles la de causar un record perenne de plaer. Quan penso en el gelat de maduixa de la Gelateria de Milà, em passa alguna cosa així… o sigui que per mi l’adjectiu està més que justificat. Seria capaç de menjar-ne fins i tot a ple hivern!
On · Quan · Què demano · Planout > Rinomata Gelateria · Després de dinar o qualsevol altre moment · Un gelat de maduixa · De compres per Corso di Porta Ticinese
a bar… Mudanzas
ENG > Since the full prohibition of smoking on interiors, I’ve the impression to reconquer many spaces in my city to which I’d given up due to smoke accumulation. One of these is Mudanzas, a bar that I’ve always seen as some sort of pit-stop in my wanderings around Born and its shops. Special and cozy, perfect at any hour to recover your strength and chat for a while.
Where · When · My order · Planout > Mudanzas · As you walk by · A beer · Take a look at the gadgets from La Comercial (Homeware)
CAT > Des de la prohibició de fumar en espais interiors, tinc la sensació que he reconquistat gran quantitat d’espais de la meva ciutat als quals havia renunciat per l’acumulació de fum. Un d’ells és el Mudanzas, un bar que per mi sempre ha sigut una espècie de pit-stop en els periples pel Born i les seves botigues. Especial i acollidor, perfecte a qualsevol hora per recuperar forces i xerrar una estona.
On · Quan · Què demano · Planout > Mudanzas · …passis per davant · Una cervesa · Fer un cop d’ull als gadgets de La Comercial (Casa)
a xiringuito… Al Faru
ENG > Two years ago I spent a July in Vilassar de Mar. Back from work there was only a premise: whoever arrives first, waits for the other. As stepping out from the train my feet led me automatically to the chiringuito right in front and my body asked for the beer that was to be slowly consumed until the company arrived. Two years have passed and they stay fit: every day a different scenario, a different activity… evenings at Al Faru are summer’s best.
Where · When · My order · Planout > Al Faru · Summer evenings, back from work · A beer(2 €) · An outdoors dinner at Palomares
CAT > Fa un parell d’anys vaig passar un Juliol a Vilassar de Mar. Tornava de treballar i només existia una premisa: el primer que arribi espera a l’altre. Just al baixar del tren els peus es dirigien automàticament al xiringuito que hi ha al davant i el cos demanava la cervesa que consumia lentament fins que apareixia la companyia. Han passat un parell d’anys i segueixen en forma: cada dia un muntatge diferent, una activitat diferent… els vespres a Al Faru, són els millors de l’estiu.
On · Quan · Què demano · Planout > Al Faru · Vespres d’estiu, després de treballar · Una cervesa (2 €) · Un sopar a la fresca al Palomares
a hotel… Hostal Empúries
Have you ever read Tender is the night by F. Scott Fitzgerald? Well, when I picture those glamorous places where the american jet-set spent their summers on the beach, I think about Hostal Empúries. It was initially built to accommodate the archeologists that worked in the nearby excavations of Empúries, back in the beginning of the past century, and like in Scott Fitzgerald’s novels it gained its major splendour in the fifties. After being abandoned during several years, it lives now a second youth and delights its customers with wonderful views as it actually sits in the middle of a protected sand-dune area with some small beaches. So if you want to feel like the american jet-set, just drop by around seven, order a Martini Bianco and enjoy the sunset.
Where · Hostal Empúries
When · As summer begins
My order · A Martini Bianco · around 3 €
Planout · Take the nice walk from Hostal Empúries to Sant Martí d’Empúries
a restaurant… La Garota
A few weeks ago the beaches weren’t as crowded as they’re today. Only some anchored boats slowly swinging near the beach and a light breeze blowing through the pine trees. Still, a warm sun in the sky and a cold sea water to keep away most of the swimmers. However, a great place to spend a moment in the middle of this amazing landscape: La Garota. Located in a privileged place in Cala Montgó, it’s great to have a beer while looking absently at the sea. It’s the perfect prelude to the holidays.
Where · La Garota
When · Just before holidays (May should be perfect)
My order · A beer · 2 €
Planout · For even better views you can visit the Torre de Montgó
a festival… Primavera Sound
I can tell you this: I buy the tickets for this festival months before they announce the lineup. Why? Because I save some money and they never disappoint me. The festival finished yesterday and this year was no exception. Gone are the absolutely amazing concerts of Grizzly Bear, Spoon, The Field or Pet Shop Boys, along with other “big names” such as Pixies, Wilco, Pavement or Orbital. Bradford Cox of Atlas Sound was amazed that he could watch the sea from the scenario where he was performing… Well, that’s Primavera Sound, where the summer begins. Today I start the countdown again.
Where · Primavera Sound
When · Every last weekend of May
My pick · A full festival ticket (bought in October) · 90 €
Planout · Enjoy as many bands as possible! There are many great bands to discover.
a café… La Farga
It was born in 1957 as a cake shop and over the years has expanded its business by opening restaurants and cafeterias. La Farga is well-known in Barcelona but if I’m taking it into this blog, is because it owns a nice terrace at the top of Passeig de Gràcia, which is great to gather some sunshine and rest when walking around this area. Being between three of the most important commercial streets in Barcelona, it’s far more relaxing than any other terrace that you’d find around. Plus, you can always go to their shop inside and take away some sweet “restoratives”.
Where · Farga
When · If you’re looking for a place to sit for a while in the city center
My order · A beer · 3 €
Planout · A Saturday walking around Passeig de Gràcia with a small stop before lunch
an art gallery… Iguapop Gallery (Forever!)
Last week was a little bit sad because of the news that Iguapop was moving to Madrid. It is a mandatory place for contemporary art fans in Barcelona, so the news felt like a lung removal. Exhibitions of Gary Baseman, Tim Biskup, Rai Escalé, Boris Hoppek and many other amazing artists have filled their walls during the years, unveiling new talents or simply confirming others. Still, what I’ll be missing the most is the great people that take care of this project every day. Their last exhibition in Barcelona will be opening on June and the new gallery should be open in Madrid by February 2011… so if you’re passionate about art, don’t miss a chance to pay them a visit.
Where · Iguapop Gallery
When · There’s always an interesting exhibition going on…
My pick · A small watercolor by Liz McGrath · 230 €
Planout · To check out their fashion shop next to the gallery and have dinner at Santa Maria
picture of the Iguapop Gallery stand at the Swab Art Fair
albaper 