Author Archives: azahar

adiós elbow bump

11 Friday Sep 2020

Posted by in coronavirus

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According to the WHO, people should stop using the elbow bump greeting and switch to the more distancing-friendly hand on heart gesture. What do you think? I guess it makes sense because even though bumping elbows cuts down on direct contact transference of the virus, it still brings you closer than 1 metre and those pesky droplets. Though to be honest, most people I see don’t really pay much attention to this when amongst friends. Me? I’m still skittish around pretty much everybody.

I actually think the hand on heart gesture is quite elegant and hope it catches on. And when you are extra happy to see someone you can put both hands on your heart, which is something I find I do spontaneously at times already. ❤️

the return of the vermutería yo soy tu padre

10 Thursday Sep 2020

Posted by in sevilla, tapas bars

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My lovely friend Esteban has not only reopened his inimitable vermouth bar Vermutería Yo Soy Tu Padre today, he has also moved location. I stopped in to see the new place and it’s great. Cosy and friendly like the previous place, though I am a bit sad to now have to walk a full ten minutes from home instead of three.  😉

Same great vermouths, made by Esteban from a base of finos and manzanillas en rama, as well as the usual selection of exquisite small-production wines and E’s killer negronis. Tapas are also available. Only open in the evenings for now. Go show him some love guys!

Vermutería Yo Soy Tu Padre
Conde de Torrejón 21

setting sail

09 Wednesday Sep 2020

Posted by in sevilla, spain

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I don’t know anyone who calls this square Plaza de Jesús de la Pasión. In fact, if you asked people for directions to that name I’m sure many locals would have no idea. It used to be called the Plaza del Pan and, well, it still is except for maybe by the city council.

In Medieval times the square was known as Debajo de San Salvador (Under the San Salvador) or simply De Abajo, as the massive San Salvador Church looms next to it. The name Plaza del Pan dates back to the 17th century from the many bread stalls that were located there at that time. In 1914 there was a request by neighbours to change the name to reference the Christ that is associated with the Salvador Church. But it’s still called Plaza del Pan by everyone I know.

Anyhow, I was walking home the other day and saw this view and thought how the awning looked like a sail. Love this plaza.

chef john

08 Tuesday Sep 2020

Posted by in gastronomy, restaurants, sevilla

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Back in July chef John Grabecki @grabecki1 got in touch with me about his new project Gitana Tapas @gitana.tapas which he hopes to start up in Sevilla soon. So after a bit of whatsapping, and also waiting after he arrived here to pass 14 days without any obvious covid symptoms, we met up for lunch at La Barra de Inchausti.

Some people (me included, initially) might think it’s a crazy idea for a chef from London to come to Sevilla in the middle of a pandemic to start a new business. On the other hand, well, why not? I should know better than anyone that sometimes you just have to follow your heart, and John not only has some family ties here (his sister is married to a Sevillano) but he also just loves it here.

Anyhow, lovely lunch, lovely company, and I am happy to help him out with connections, etc. So watch this space! Also go give John and Gitana Tapas a follow on Instagram!  🙂