19 Thursday Oct 2017
Posted in sevilla, sherry, tapas tours
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This week the Premier Sherry Cocktail Bar had its official opening, including a private master class given by sherry ambassador Pepe Ferrer, which I was lucky enough to be invited to. It’s a gorgeous bar, and I love the clever wall display showing the sherry aging process. Looking forward to going back soon to try some of the cocktails on offer, and to possibly working with them in the near future.
09 Monday Oct 2017
Posted in friends, sevilla, tapas, tapas tours
Every now and then the fabulous Victor @welovemalaga whips through town on one of his many special Mediterranean group tours, which usually give me a small window of one hour in Sevilla to meet up with him. This time it coincided with a visit from the “Cheeky Pigs” Stephen & Julia (who also know Victor from previous visits), and so we all met at one of our new favourite tapas bars Berrinche. A short and sweet visit, but always better than nothing.
07 Saturday Oct 2017
Posted in food & drink, gastronomy, sevilla, tapas, tapas bars, tapas tours
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Remember back in August when I finally got to meet long-time Twitter pal Francisco and his friends Eduardo and Miguel at La Grulla? Well he sent me this mention in the ABC newspaper today and I couldn’t be more thrilled. Having my work recognised is always an honour, but it feels extra special when this recognition comes from my “fellow Spaniards”. So I especially liked the “Sevillana since 1993” bit. 🙂
For those who don’t speak Spanish here is a translation…
Although several neighbouring cities (which we are not going to name – these are not the times for more regional rivalries) have long been trying to snatch the title of “birthplace of the tapa” from Seville, the truth is that little or nothing is done by our city council to exploit said claim.
In fact, just one person, Shawn Hennessey – Sevillana since 1993 – has done more to make our tapas known (through her blog, organizing tapas tours for foodie tourists, and social media activity…) than the entire tourism delegation.
We continue to be a country of solitary Quijotes, and it always takes somebody from outside to remind us of it.
Aunque varias ciudades “vecinas” que no vamos a mentar – que no están los tiempos para más rivalidades autonĂłmicas – llevan tiempo intentando arrebatar a Sevilla el origen de la tapa, la verdad es que poco o nada se hace desde nuestro ayuntamiento para explotar dicho reclaim.
De hecho más hace una sola persona, Shawn Hennessey – sevillana desde 1993 – por dar a conocer nuestro tapeo (a travĂ©s de su blog, organizando rutas de tapas de guiris-foodies, moviendo contenidos en redes sociales…) que toda la delegaciĂłn de turismo.
Siguimos siendo un paĂs de quijotes – o quijotas – solitarios, y siempre tiene que venir alguen de fuera para recordárnoslo.
02 Monday Oct 2017
Posted in food & drink, gastronomy, sevilla, sherry, tapas, tapas bars, tapas tours
… or at least one of them. This is Rafael’s jamĂłn cutting station at Bar Las Teresas. I’ve been coming to this bar for over 24 years now and, while I have seen some changes over the years (not all of them good), it remains one of the places where I feel relaxed and at home. Like I’m with family.
In fact, this is something I hear a lot from women from other countries – how they feel so comfortable going out to bars on their own here, unlike back home. And it’s true. You don’t feel weird or worry about being hit on. More than likely you’ll end up chatting with the people sitting next to you at the bar, though if you want to just enjoy your tapas and wine on your own, that’s also quite acceptable.
Anyhow, I’ve spent many a happy hour sitting at this very spot, watching RamĂłn deftly wielding his cutting knife, chatting with the barmen, enjoying lovely tapas. I’m often asked which is my favourite tapas bar in Sevilla, which is an impossible question for me to answer, but this is definitely one of them.
30 Saturday Sep 2017
Posted in food & drink, sevilla, tapas, tapas bars, tapas tours
Good times on a recent Gourmet Tapas Tour. There is a certain amount of unpredictability and a bit of an extra challenge with the gourmet tours. Actually “gourmet” isn’t really the right term, but I haven’t found a better one. Because it’s not about going to posh places with wanky gastrobar food – it’s about tasting the best of what Sevilla has to offer, from tiny hole-in-the-wall bars to more sophisticated spots (and all family run). Basically people pay as they go, so I don’t have to stay within a budget, and we can go to as many bars as they want. The record (so far) is 7 tapas bars in 5 hours. This one was 5 bars in 5 hours, including a penĂşltima, with a super fun group of 4 friends – a lovely way to spend a sunny afternoon. I love my job. 🙂
casa azahar 