31 Thursday Oct 2019
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The night before I left for Madrid my friend Alejandra (who I last saw in July 2010) sent me a message on Facebook saying she was on sabbatical in Madrid and would love to meet up. So we had lunch at one of my “research spots” and it was really a lovely afternoon catching up. But I forgot to take a photo of her, so this is one of us from 2010 in Sevilla. Looking forward to her coming down to visit after Christmas break.
30 Wednesday Oct 2019
A few scenes from José Pizarro’s book launch party at the Cinco Jotas restaurant in Madrid. It was great to see José again, and also his mother who I’d met at the Spanish Embassy event in London last May. My friends Jeannie and Sam were there, and I also got to meet a few other people, so it was a fun night. Also excited to see – and taste – a special sherry Rare Solera PΔP VORS from Osborne which has been created especially for José, the first time in the brand’s history that they have done this. Good times.
29 Tuesday Oct 2019
I have known Gina on Twitter since forever and so I was thrilled when she said she and her husband Will would be coming to Sevilla. EXCEPT they were coming this week, while I would be away in Madrid. DAMMIT.
The good thing is that they arrived today and we were at least able to meet up for a short(ish) evening tapeo before I leave, ending with vermouth nightcaps with Esteban. And of course I have left them with lots of tips of other great places to eat while they are here.
Had a great time and am hoping they’ll be back soon!
28 Monday Oct 2019
Posted in andalucia, friends, gastronomy, getaways, madrid
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So while I was away in Galicia I got an invitation to the Spanish book launch of my friend José Pizarro’s Andalucía, which is being held in Madrid on October 30th. You may recall I went to London in May for a event at the Spanish Embassy that included celebrating José’s 25 years as a chef and was also the launch for the English version of this book. But you know, I want to be there to support José and so I booked my train to Madrid and a hotel for a couple of nights, even though I can’t exactly afford to travel right now.
And THEN something amazing happened. Out of the blue I was asked by Decanter Magazine to write another city break travel piece for them… on Madrid! This is my third commission from Decanter in a year, and I am thrilled about that. But also, it will end up paying for my trip and I can use my time there to do research for the article. How perfect is that? 🙂
23 Wednesday Oct 2019
Posted in friends, tapas, tapas bars
I first met Lucy @sparkybakewell at my 20th anniversary party seven years ago. Since then we’ve bumped into each other at various events or in the street, but more recently Lucy has become one of my Tapas Research pals. Turns out we have similar tastes in food and wine and it’s always helpful to have another opinion (as well as an extra stomach to be able to try more dishes).
On this occasion I was invited to lunch for two at the newly opened Barra Baja, since I had to miss their inauguration party last week. Food was great, not too sure about the wine list though. Full review will be up on Sevilla Tapas soon.
casa azahar 