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On my way to Victoria’s this morning I walked past THIS.
It’s been a great day. Very busy. More mañana…
málaga sunrise
26 Wednesday Oct 2011
Category Archives: work
impromptu trip to málaga
25 Tuesday Oct 2011
The last time I went to Málaga was in August for the Botani vendimia tour. Since then I think I’ve only seen Victoria twice, not really often enough as we still have to finish off a few projects as well as keep the blog and website updated properly. So, as Victoria had no plans to come to Sevilla again soon, and I didn’t have any Sevilla Tapas Tours booked until Thursday evening, this week seemed a good time to make some time to get together.
And so, after a quick phone call yesterday to confirm our Wednesday meeting I went out to buy my tickets and will be leaving for Málaga bright and early this morning on the 7.30 am train! Aargh. I prefer taking the 11 am train, which gets me into town at 2.30, but that means having to wait around, with luggage, until the porter at Manolo’s building gets back from his lunch break – at 5 o’clock – so he can let me in to the apartment. This way I’ll get there around 10.30 and will have a whole day in Málaga on my own, which will be nice. The plan is to come back on Thursday afternoon, arriving just in time for a Gourmet Tapas Tour.
Quite like this mixing business with pleasure thing!
meet my new flatmate
21 Friday Oct 2011
Yeah okay, I know what you’re all thinking. You’re thinking that my new flatmate looks just like my old flatmate, but the truth is that he is different. Because today my new flatmate landed a new client for his Restaurant English classes and next week he finds out if he’ll get two new intensive English courses (Nov-Feb) at a language school here.
Aside from that he has been helping me out with Sevilla Tapas Tours when I am either double-booked or unavailable, and carrying on with his other private English classes. So if it all comes to pass, by next month this new flatmate of mine will actually be making a fairly comfortable living, at least enough to put in his share for house stuff, which will also make my life a lot less stressful.
But aside from that… well, just look at him. Since getting some very nice “reviews” for his tapas tours, and becoming more involved with the restaurant stuff, Nog has had a real boost in self esteem and that’s great to see. Sometimes it just takes one or two things to go right for a change to make all the difference in one’s outlook. After a couple of disappointments earlier in the week, the good news about Luna yesterday and today’s new job prospects have renewed both our spirits and it’s great to look forward and see good times ahead as flatmates and friends. Yay!
a good evening
11 Tuesday Oct 2011
After a very hectic week with nine Sevilla Tapas Tours in eight days (Nog did three of them) it was nice to just relax and spend yesterday evening out walking around. The weather was perfect – still warm enough for sandals but with a lovely breeze – and the streets were pleasantly busy. Lots of people out for tapas.
Actually, my first stop was a “business meeting” with Juan to discuss some new ideas for his Vineria San Telmo blog, though it was really more of a social visit and chat over a glass of Botani. Nog came too as he is becoming more involved with my tapas stuff and it’s good for him to see what I do and to know the people I work with. After a pleasant hour with Juan we were on our way out and I spotted the group of six people I’d taken out the night before having dinner on the Vineria terraza. I went over to say hello and then sneakily got Juan to surprise them with a bottle of rosado from me – the looks on their faces made my day!
After checking to see if an ex-client of mine was at her restaurant (she wasn’t, as usual, which is kind of why she’s an ex-client) we wandered through barrio Santa Cruz on our way to stop number three, Albarama and Puracepa, to speak to the manager who’d asked me to translate their new menus. Then we decided to have a small snack at Puracepa, the amazing ensaladilla and pretty glass of rosado you can see above.
The ensaladilla is always served with these really cool forks that I’ve been coveting for years, so last night I asked the manager if I could buy two of them. He said they were actually running short of them because that design had been discontinued and they can’t get any more. So I said no problem, I’d just swipe a couple the next time I came. And then when I paid the bill Juanma brought my change on a tray with two forks wrapped in a napkin. Ha.
On the way out we ran into Juan Carlos, the owner of Albarama, Puracepa and the fabulous new cocktail bar Lab4, who was sitting outside on the terraza with a group of friends. He called me over to introduce me to the fellow who owns the building that Puracepa and Lab4 are in, saying that he wanted English classes(!!), and he also confirmed that he wanted to get two groups together for Nog’s Restaurant English classes (!!!). Then we chatted a bit with José Manolo (“call me Joseph”), the doorman at Lab4, who is lovely. And I thought – wow, I’m really in like Flynn with this whole gang now! – and all just because I’m chatty and show a real interest in what they’re doing.
It also ocurred to me walking home that I’d just spend my “day off” evening out working! And well, what better work to have than exactly what you’d want to be doing anyhow? This has been a dream of mine ever since I first left home at age 15 and started working – whew! Have finally made it! Now just have to get it to pay a bit better…
lab4
03 Monday Oct 2011
Posted in food & drink, sevilla, work
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I’ve been looking forward to the opening of Lab4 ever since Juan Carlos García (owner of Puracepa and Albarama) first told me about his latest project a month or so ago. What I wasn’t expecting was that it would be for “members only”, which at first put me off as I dislike anything that smacks of cliquiness. And when I was told there is a 50 euro a year membership fee I thought “well, that counts me out” until Carlos explained that you actually get the fee back by using the membership card to pay your bar bill. Then Carlos took me on a tour of the place and I knew I would love being a part of it.
Located upstairs from Puracepa, directly across from City Hall in the Plaza San Francisco, Lab4 is on four levels. There are two main cocktail lounges on the first and second floors, both super chic and minimalist with spectacular views across the square. The third floor will be used to give bartending classes and can also be booked for private functions. The terraza will be open year round, weather permitting, and will serve as a smoking section as well as just a general open area to enjoy your drinks outdoors. My favourite seat is in the glassed-in balcony on the first floor – a wonderful spot with comfy sofas to sit and watch the world go by.
There’s a good selection of cocktails and an extensive list of premium spirits and liqueurs. Wine, cava and champagne are also available, as well as select beers (nothing on tap). Prices are pretty much what you’d expect, similar to upmarket hotels bars. And the service is professional and friendly.
Members can bring guests with them, up to three Monday – Thursday and up to two Friday – Sunday. It will be a great place for me to take Gourmet Tapas Tour clients at the end of the evening, especially in winter when the rooftop bars are mostly closed.
And I do love that first floor window seat…
[also posted on azahar’s Sevilla blog]
casa azahar 