Category Archives: friends

trianeando

22 Tuesday Jan 2019

Posted by in food & drink, friends, sevilla, tapas, tapas bars

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It had been awhile since I last saw Ania @aniainspain (Christmas time in Málaga) and even longer since we’d gone out together in Sevilla. So we made a plan to go Trianeando. We started off with a bit of jamón and cheese at the gorgeous Alfarería 21, before moving on to my latest discovery. I’d spotted a new opening in Triana, a small abacería called Clochard (French for vagabond) and heard that the owners were a Pole and an Italian. An intriguing international combination.

Ania was especially interested to meet the Polish owner, as she is Polish herself, but he was away. But we did meet Francesco, who was lovely, and had a nice time chatting with him while trying some delish fish tapas. We also met a Canadian family there, who are staying in Triana for a few weeks and, just before leaving, also started talking to three people at the next table. Turns out they run Sevilla’s only pawn shop, and vintage goods store, called Overtime. Some of the cool décor at Clochard came from Overtime, so I am looking forward to visiting the shop soon

Last tapas stop was Las Golondrinas for a couple of their famous – and delicious – pork tapas. By this time Ania was craving something sweet, so we headed over to Manu Jara’s dulcería. I’m not big on desserts, but I love his colourful displays. Normally we would have finished the afternoon with a penúltima, but Ania had made plans to go running with her gym group, so we were spared any more wine (probably a good thing). Such a fun afternoon. Pics below…

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long lunch with laura & erik

19 Saturday Jan 2019

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

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Laura @laurawburgess and Erik @thewhiskykiwi were back in town this weekend, after having spent a few days in Córdoba, and we met up for what ended up being a very long lunch (I finally got home at 9.30 pm!). As always, we had a great time together, starting off at La Azotea for their fabulous fried rabbit ribs. Then off to the Main Event which was a special “matanza” menu at the Antigua Abacería de San Lorenzo. Looking forward to next time.  🙂

birthday 2019

07 Monday Jan 2019

Posted by in birthdays, casa azahar, food & drink, friends, gastronomy, hope, sevilla, sherry, spam, tapas, tapas bars

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So yikes! I am 62 years old today. Like, how’d that happen?  😉  It’s a total cliché and absolute truth about time flying. And especially with all the cancer stuff, ten years ago now and hopefully completely in the past, it’s amazing I’ve made it this far. Unlike a lot of people, I’ve always loved my birthday, even though the getting older thing comes with some drawbacks (KNEES for example) it certainly beats not getting older! So I do like to do something special to celebrate still being here.

Today I met my friend (and colleague) Cinta @cintaromero75 for a fabulous seafood lunch at Cañabota. Great food and wine, and even better company. It was great catching up.

By chance Charlie & Sam, co-owners of @vinoveroleigh were arriving in Sevilla this afternoon, though too late to join us for lunch, so I met up with them afterwards for a penúltima.

I first met C & S in 2016, when mutual friends Phoebe and Ollie invited me to a rooftop dinner at their place in London. They came to Sevilla a few months later that same year, and are back for a quick getaway. After our cava I headed home, delighted to see the Christmas lights were still on! An excellent birthday.

lustau & albalá

28 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by in friends, gastronomy, getaways, restaurants, sherry

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Day two of the Jerez Getaway with Pam & Gord started off with a WHACK of hot crispy fried churros in front of the Central Market. After that, following THE PLAN IS THERE IS NO PLAN format we had been going with, we decided to see if we could go to Lustau for their Copa en Mano bodega visit. And there was still places available! So off we went after a quick visit to the market and cathedral.

I really enjoyed the concept of this tour. Usually people visit a bodega and then have a tasting at the end. With this one visitors start off with a glass of manzanilla and then taste their way around the various Lustau bodegas, finishing with sweet wines and then a bonus vermouth tasting in the shop. So it was a lot of fun, and we tasted some very special wines which I don’t think are included in the regular visit. And then it was time for lunch!

My friend Tomoko met us at Lustau, since (no plan, right?) we still weren’t sure where to go. From there I called one of my favourites, Albalá, and was told they were fully booked, but if we showed up we could go on a waiting list. Well, good enough for us! And sure enough, after a quick taxi ride, and about ten minutes after arriving and enjoying a drink at the bar, we got a table. Food was amazing, company even better. And afterwards we walked back into the centre for a penúltima. Then it was time for me to go. I didn’t have a return train ticket, leaving it open since THERE WAS NO PLAN. In the end I left Jerez at 7.15, and was home, unpacked, showered and with a load of laundry on by 9 pm. With my cats! It was a great getaway.