Category Archives: friends

sixto & rosa

21 Thursday Sep 2023

Posted by in friends, gastronomy, sevilla, tapas, tapas bars

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sixto rosa

Tonight I was invited to a special event honouring Sixto Tovar and Rosa Borja who, some 35 years ago, embarked on a culinary adventure and created Eslava, a pioneer of modern takes on traditional tapas (EVERY gastrobar here owes them homage) that became one of Sevilla’s most iconic tapas bars. Earlier this year Sixto and Rosa made the difficult decision to retire (from the restaurant, they remain active in other projects) and handed the reins to a local group who have sworn to remain true to the Eslava philosopy and, more importantly, to not change the recipes.

The event was lovely and I felt honoured to be invited (not sure but I think I was the only non-Spaniard). I’ve known Sixto forever and I can honestly say I have seldom met a kinder more genuine person. Wishing Sixto and Rosa all the best in their next chapter and I really hope we will continue to cross paths.

reyes & javi

19 Tuesday Sep 2023

Posted by in anniversary, friends, restaurants, sevilla, sherry, tapas

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javi reyes me me, Reyes & Javi

As this is ANNIVERSARY MONTH Reyes Morales (tapas bar royalty, owner of Casa Morales) and I went out to celebrate me being here all this time and the two of us being friends. Any meet up with me and Reyes inevitably begins with visiting our friend Manolo “Cateca” and asking him which sherry we want to drink, so we did that, and Manolo never disappoints.

reyes javi (1)

Lunch was… well just have a look. I’ve known Javi Abascal (chef and owner of Lalola Restaurante) since he started his first place back in I don’t remember when in Los Remedios and he is just one of the loveliest people. He also knows how to cook!

reyes javi (2)

While Reyes and I could have enjoyed La Penúltima at Lalola we decided a little post-lunch walk was in order. Eventually we made our way to the Plaza Magdalena near my house and the new posh hotel in that square. And look what they had! Gorgeous Brut Tortelló DO Corpinnat. We sat outside enjoying the early evening air and still talking-talking-talking until we finally decided it was probably time to go home! So yeah, got home from lunch around 8pm. I think that’s a record for us, though all my lunches with Reyes end up being experiences neither of us want to end. I am really so lucky to know so many amazing people here.

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katie & paul

08 Friday Sep 2023

Posted by in food & drink, friends, instagram, social media, twitter, twitter friends

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katie me (3)

So this was lovely! The other day a mutual Twitter/Instagram pal hooked Katie @bowlandandbay and me up as she and her partner Paul were in town for a few days. We met today – their last day – for a quick sherry at Manolo Cateca, which ended up segueing into a fun sherry filled afternoon, finishing up at Palo Cortao for lunch. Another great social media connection (I still love Twitter for this!) and new foodie friends.

katie me

Katie runs food adventures in Lancashire UK so if you’re in the area look her up.

Bowland & Bay

30 hearts

06 Wednesday Sep 2023

Posted by in friends, sevilla

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emilio (2)

Honestly I know the loveliest people. For example, Emilio at Casa Moreno, who always gives you a handwritten bill at the end of your visit. And who is also the resident poet and philosopher. I have received many personal notes, his tiny works of art, over the years. Birthdays, holidays, or just because. But today I told Emilio about it being my Sevilla 30th Anniversary and so when I asked for the bill this is what he gave me. I loved it so much that I bought a little frame for it on my way home so it can sit on the bookcase next to my desk and make me smile every day. Gracias Emilio xx

emilio (1)

pizza party

21 Monday Aug 2023

Posted by in casa azahar, food & drink, friends

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pizza paul (1)

The last time Paul was here we got to talking about the HOT MESS that is my website setup. I mean, it’s ridiculous really but, in my defence, when I first started building self-hosted websites I was learning as I went. But at this point anyone looking at my FTP file manager would just shake their head (as Paul did) and say “what the fuck?”. So, as this is actually his work, I asked him if he could help me with, ahem, tidying things up a bit. At first we tried this via WhatsApp but then decided it would be better to wait until he was back in Sevilla. Which is now!

We decided the best time would be on a Sunday afternoon (yesterday) when things are pretty quiet around here and, as it’s also back up to 42º, nobody really wants to be outside. To make it feel less like work for Paul I said that after we finished we could get some takeaway pizzas and he could help me with one or two of these lovely red wines from Mallorca and Valencia that have been hanging around for a couple of years. I’m more a white wine girl, so having company – the first time having someone over who wasn’t a handyman since 2019! – seemed a good time to crack these babies open.

pizza paul

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