Another Sagrada Familia and Osmosis Day

 

Yep, another visit to the Sagrada Famila for me and a first for Lee and Peg and Helen and Nick. This visit for me was a major disappointment. The center of the basilica was blocked off for an event, chairs were up and a stage was in place in front of the altar. There was also construction in progress inside and it was noisey. Because I was hoping to just sit and observe details and contemplate, I was foiled. And, the visit experience was certainly not as satisfying as it could have been. I could not get us tickets for the towers, so we did not go up. As you can see below, Sharon was moved to prayer!

 

Barcelona And Osmosis #3

11,293 steps for Katie and me today. As Katie says, "That's a lot of steps for two people who didn't want to walk much." Jorge headed to Barcelona way before us, leaving around 7:00am, and exploring modern architecture in Barcelona. Katie and I were quite lazy and left the piso around 10:00am. We wanted to shop for shoes for me at El Corte Inglés, but that was a bust. They have more online than they do in the store. Katie got some makeup and then we headed to El Born and went to Nomad Coffee Lab. This is a SERIOUS coffee spot. They take their coffee with SERIOUSNESS, not sugar or cream. You had better know what you are doing and what you want when you come in here. Katie and I both had classico espresso which was likely a major disappointment for the barrista. We obviously did not appreciate our coffee. We liked it. Very good rich, earthy, full bodied espresso. Our next stop was the Palau de la Música Orfeó Català. I want to take Nick here when we are in town as I am sure he will appreciate it. English tours are every hour from 10:00am. We then walked back to Placa de Catalunya to catch the 24 bus back to Gracia and Arago. We had taken the 24 bus down to Placa de Catalunya. Each of these bus trips save a lot of walking on my plantar fasciitis heel. We then walked over to Osmosis for lunch. Descriptions will follow.

MENÚ MIGDIA · MEDIODIA · LUNCH

PRIMERS · PRIMEROS · STARTERS

Foie micuit amb poma a la vainilla

Foie micuit con manzana a la vainilla

Foiegras micuit with apple and vanila

o

Crema de peres amb mató i seitó

Crema de peras con “mató” y boquerón

Pear cream with fresh cheese and anchovy

o

Saltat de múrgules,olives i guatlla

Salteado de colmenillas,olivas y codorniz

Mushrooms sautéed with olives and quail

 

SEGONS · SEGUNDOS · MAIN COURSES

Llobarro amb xalotes

Lubina con chalotas

Seabass with sweet onion

o

Arròs de peix de roca amb pèsols,llagostí i llimona

Arroz de pescado de roca con guisantes,langostino y limón

Rockfish rice with green peas,prawn and lemon

o

Costellam de xai amb dàtils i espècies

Costillar de cordero con dátiles y especies

Lamb ribs with dates and spicy

(We had a cheese course.)

POSTRES · DESSERTS

Panacota d’orxata amb vainilla i albercoc

Panacota de horchata con vainilla y albaricoque

Tiger nuts milk panna cotta with vanila and apricot

o

Tres xocolates

Tres chocolates

Three chocolates

Another Trip to Osmosis

We started today with a trip to Parc Guell which was a disappointment to all of us. Katie and Jason remember when it was free. Now, it is not, and though it is only about 5€ the problem it that they are now charging. You can certainly walk through much of the park, but the areas that are recognized as "typical" Parc Guell are restricted. I don't need to go back, nor will I recommend it. However, if you do go, take the 24 bus from the train station at Passeig de Gracia and it will take you all the way up the hill to the upper entrance to the park.

And while I am mentioning a bus, buses in Barcelona are a great resource. Download the TMB app and use it to find buses to get you anywhere. Buy a 1 Zone T-10 card and use it on the buses and the Metro. Do the same in Paris with carnets. Use the local transport - not taxis or tour buses. See the people, see the city, save yourself some Euros.

Our disappointment in Parc Guell was quickly forgotten because we had plans for Osmosis which was our main feature today. Our consensus was that this week the meal at Osmosis was better than last week. Every dish was exceptional - last week we had one dud. Not so this week. For me the standouts were the asparagus soup and the final pato con chalota, though the whole menu was outstanding. The wine selection was a standout also. I learned a couple of years ago to let them pick the wine and once again they were right. Normally I will pick wine for our meals, not at Osmosis.

Last week I left my camera flash at Osmosis. It had fallen out of my camera bag and I did not notice it. Jason asked me what I was going to leave this week - and I said "nothing." I ended up almost leaving my credit card! Anything for an excuse to come back. We did make a revervation for next Tuesday at 2:00. 

Overall, long day, lots of walking - we did over 7 miles between the park, Osmosis, and Corte Engles for shopping and we are beat but happy.

Osmosis today....

MENÚ DEGUSTACIÓN

Osmosis restaurante apuesta por la auténtica cocina de mercado, sustituyendo la carta por unos menús elaborados diariamente con el mejor producto que encontramos en las mejores paradas del mercado. Seleccionamos diariamente los productos más selectos que nos llegan de la tierra y del mar, escogiendo así unos productos de primera calidad.

Al mediodía elaboramos un menú degustación ágil compuesto por tres pequeños aperitivos dos entrantes, un pescado, una carne y un postre

Menú degustación

Escabeche de caballa e hinojo con tomate y crema fresca

Emulsión de esparragos con trufa y panceta

Atún " tomba i tomba" con suquet de vino tinto

Pato con chalota, patata violeta y vermut

Níspero con yogur y almendra

Our Week In Bottles

We try to have a rosado every day at noon. Generally we have tintos in the evenings. Cavas can fit in any time! These photos chronicle our daytime selections. Oh, we do sometimes do more than eat and drink - check out the rest of the blog to see what.

 

 

Sitges - Day Three

We are establishing a routine. Get up have coffee. Go to Cafe Roy. Walk, shop, talk, veg, have lunch, walk, shop, veg, read, drink, talk, sleep. This morning I introduced Jason to the AeroPress and he took to it immediately. Jason Soler is now our morning barrista. I walked down to the beach and watched the world go by and photogrphed what appealed to me. One of the best experiences of the morning was the violinist at the end of the pier. I enjoyed listening to him practice and enjoyed grabbing a few images. I was beautiful out there this morning. I wandered through town on the way back to the piso and as I was coming in the door two smiling ladies were going out. Aliza and Mary were going to the Barcelona Airport to pick up their bags. They were very happy knowing where they were and were taking no chances on delivery.

Katie and Jason and I went to the store for a few items and of course more wine. We picked up a couple of Dueros and a bottle of Cava. Then Jason headed for the beach. At about 2:30 Aliza and Mary showed up dragging their bags very happily. We then went down to San Sebastian for a lovely lunch. We all did a little afternoon shopping and met at the piso. It is now 8:49 and we are reading and sipping wine - except for Jason and Mary who have both given up for the day and me typing away on this blog. In a bit we will have olives and jamon and bread and perhaps a little salad followed by a bite of turron.

No plans for tomorrow, but Wednesday will be a trip to Sagrada Familia and lunch at Osmosis. Thursday is Saint Jordi day and we will celebrate that in Sitges. Until tomorrow! Buenos noches.