Category Archives: spain

latest decanter article… los baleares

29 Friday Nov 2024

Posted by in decanter magazine, spain, wine, work, writing

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decanter nov 24 (2)

Here it is! My latest travel article for Decanter, this one written in tandem with my editor Ines Salpico (she wrote the wine reviews). It actually came out almost a month ago but it was only when Deb brought me a copy from London this week that I was able to hold it in my hot little hands.

Anyhow, it’s about 10 top wineries in the Balearic Islands and I had such a great time researching and meeting so many interesting people. And also getting to know my new editor Ines. I hope I never lose the thrill of seeing my name in print and especially when they stick me on the “experts” page. I am in some very serious company up there, it’s quite an honour.

decanter nov 24
The article should be online soon and you will be able to find it here…
Decanter Articles by Shawn Hennessey

a dantastic afternoon

28 Thursday Nov 2024

Posted by in christmas, food & drink, friends, restaurants, sevilla, spain

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deb graceDeb & Grace

Deb is back! This time with her friend Nina. And so we met up at Manolo Cateca, along with Grace (who is soon to be neighbour) for a pre-lunch sherry and to also delivery their Sevilla L’Armanaques. Peter also joined us as I wasn’t actually able to carry the two almanacs on my own (they’re quite heavy this year!). He then took home all the lovely loot Deb brought for me from London: mince pies, the latest Decanter mag (with my article in it!), a lovely card to add to my collection and a mystery gift which I am trying not to open until Christmas Day. Afterwards Deb, Nina and I went on to have lunch at the fabulous Lalola Restaurante. And oh my, what a lunch it was.

This is becoming a lovely tradition that I hope continues, with Deb returning to Sevilla every year to revisit the places she and her late husband Dan (aka Dan Jamón) used to go to in their favourite city. Today, as in the past three December visits, we met for what inevitably ends up being a very long, very boozy and very emotional lunch, and this was no exception. The restaurant choice was perfect because Dan loved his jamón, really anything Ibérico, and so going to Lalola, and having chef Javi Abascal, El Rey de la Casquería (the Offal King, sounds better in Spanish) prepare a special Ibérico tasting menu just for us was… well, Dantastic.

lalola (1)🐷 starters: buñuelo de bacalao, jamón croqueta, chicharrón de cádiz topped with scallop tartare

🐷 sautéed boletus topped with seared foie

🐷 arroz Ibérico with jamón, presa, asparagus, topped with papada

🐷 grilled abanico Ibérico with potatoes

🐷 jamón baklava with pistachio ice cream and white chocolate crumble

🥂🍷 Sumarroca, Ossian Wines, Cortijo Los Aguilares, Bodegas Baron

lalola (2)chef Javi Abascal

free ride

20 Wednesday Nov 2024

Posted by in sevilla, spain

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third age

Yay! There was actually an upside to yesterday’s kiboshed attempt to get the shingles vax. But it didn’t start out that way. I’d read that TUSSAM had reinstated their policy of free transit for over 65s (called 3º edad here – the third age) but only recently looked into it. Turns out it began in March and will be in effect until March 2028. So why the heck not apply? Especially as I am now using public transport more than ever these days, even to go just one or two stops.

So I printed out the forms for me and Peter, we both found some ID pics from god knows when, and I thought it would work out PERFECTLY with going to get the shingles jab yesterday as one of the TUSSAM customer service points was where the bus would let us off going to the health centre. Wrong.

Turned out that this location didn’t take 3º Edad applications and I was told about two other WAY FAR AWAY places I could go instead. Meh. Then after also not getting the jabs I was obviously in a fabulous mood so I said to Peter… Cold Beer O’clock NOW. We ended up heading north, as I’d heard from a friend that they were at hospital urgencias, so in case they needed anything we’d be close by.

Ended up at one of my favourite small cosy spots in that part of town, Bodega Soto. Had the Cold Beer (it was 22º today!) and then stayed for a couple of tapitas, waiting to see if our friend needed us to pop over to the hospital. Eventually made our way back over to the Alameda, which is where I knew we could catch a bus (two stops!) to get home again. By this time I was so worn out… all this shuffling around on crutches is not only painful but it’s very tiring. And it takes… so… long.

Anyhow, heading towards the bus stop I realised that, after all that walking, we were actually right next to one of the places TUSSAM said we could go to apply for the cards. And we got in just under the wire, before they closed. Lovely woman took our applications, photos, etc and within 20 minutes we both had these handy cards that will allow us to ride all buses and the tram FOR FREE until spring 2028 (though we still don’t know who Peter Tattord is). So yesterday wasn’t a total write off after all. Phew.