Category Archives: tapas

clausura año del arroz

08 Friday Dec 2023

Posted by in academia sevillana gastronomy turismo, gastronomy, sevilla, tapas, tourism

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clausura año arroz

This week the Academia Sevilliana de Gastronomía y Turismo held its closing gala for the Año del Arroz de las Marismas del Guadalquivir. Who knew that Sevilla produces 40% of all the rice grown in Spain? Who even knew that Sevilla produces rice? Anyhow, the closing ceremony brought everything full circle with the recognition of the various collaborators over the past year. As I have only been a member of the Academy since late June I missed most of the activities but look forward to taking part in next year’s Año del Aceite de Oliva Virgen Extra de Estepa.

Afterwards we were treated to a delicious tapas lunch, including three rice dishes, provided by Restaurante Manolo Mayo. As a newbie I didn’t realise I was supposed to stick around for the group photo of the Academy members (duh) and headed straight to the dining area with everyone else. I did get a pic taken later on with the Gastro Guías but really felt like a dunce for missing my first Academia foto de familia. Oh well, next time.

on being proactive

28 Tuesday Nov 2023

Posted by in food & drink, hospitals, sevilla, tapas

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gamba taco

What does a gorgeous looking gamba taco have to do with being proactive? Well I’m here to tell ya.

Today I decided to stop waiting around for my upcoming appointments with my oncologist and also the breast ultrasound that was ordered after my mammogram… last spring!? So off I went to the hospital to talk directly to the Oncology secretary. And well, damn good thing I did too! After more than an hour wait – with next to nobody wearing a fucking mask IN THE FUCKING ONCOLOGY WAITING ROOM – I managed to secure an appointment for two weeks from now. The hold up, it seems, was that they were waiting for me to do the second colonoscopy, which I did in August, but blah blah… it somehow wasn’t registered in their files.

Then it was off to the Women’s Hospital to ask about the ultrasound but by the time I got there the office had closed, so now I will have to call. I hate calling. But I will.

After that, given the location of the Women’s Hospital, I suggested to Peter and we go to a cosy local bar about ten minutes away for a beer and a snack. Well, it wasn’t ten minutes, more like twenty after having to go under rail tracks and and back up, whatever… we got there to be told the tables were all reserved for members. Fuck. So we kept walking… until Tradevo Nervión.

Tradevo is one of my fave places, though I usually go to the central location, and well, we literally stumbled in really needing to SIT DOWN only to see the entire bar and restaurant jam-packed full. Then someone said “Shawn, is that you?” and we were whisked out to the back patio with a little heater beside us and all was well. There was a quick cold beer, followed by a couple of tapitas, a glass of wine, and after that lovely experience it was just a ten minute walk to the Tram to take us five minutes from home.

And so… appointment secured, a lovely light lunch and almost 10,000 steps!

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.

reyes javi (3)