anniversary lunch at la cochera

17 Tuesday Sep 2019

Posted by in andalucia, food & drink, friends, restaurants, sevilla

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Part of the “problem” with having a birthday or anniversary fall on a Monday is that a lot of my favourite bars and restaurants are closed that day. I mean, I didn’t do too badly yesterday, hitting up 6 bars (2 on my own, 4 with my friend Corinna) but I had been hoping for a proper celebratory lunch. And then the lovely Cinta got in touch and invited me for an anniversary lunch today at her bistro La Cochera del Abuelo. So I thought what the hell, if I can have Birthday Week (or Month) then I could also do Anniversary Week. Plus I had bought a ticket for a Kiko Veneno concert at the gorgeous Lope de Vega theatre tonight, so all in all it seemed like a perfect day.

When Cinta joined forces with chef Bosco Benitez Ruíz del Pozo earlier this year, La Cochera went from being an events venue to a restaurant offering set tasting menus four evenings a week. A more recent change saw La Cochera grow into being a full-time restaurant with a bistro menu, which I have been wanting to try.

Everything was fabulous, as you can see, and it really was a perfect place to continue celebrating. Last year I had talked with Cinta about booking La Cochera to host a 25th anniversary party, but then things got busy and I didn’t get it organised in time. So I think I’ll wait now and – fingers crossed! – celebrate my 30th anniversary here.

Off to the concert soon! More on that tomorrow.

my 26th sevilla anniversary!

16 Monday Sep 2019

Posted by in sevilla

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I’m never sure WHICH anniversary I should celebrate. When I first arrived in Spain (end of May 1992) or the day I arrived in Sevilla (today in 1993). Thing is, I can’t remember the exact day I arrived in Spain (that passport has gone missing), but I remember not just the date but the time (8 pm) I arrived in Sevilla. Possibly the longest day of my life, driving down from Salamanca with a friend, car packed full of boxes and two screaming cats (Lua and baby Sunny). And then having to wait in the car for three hours after arriving because the landlord was late, finally moving everything up three flights of stairs at 11 o’clock. Phew.

I had no real plans for the day (though a nice anniversary lunch and an evening concert are on tomorrow’s agenda) so I started off with a nice glass of manzanilla at Manolo Cateca and then simply wandered around Sevilla with my memories for a couple of hours. Then my friend Corinna met up with me at Casa Morales and we had a couple of penúltimas together before finishing with some early evening tapas. I was supposed to meet another friend for drinks later on, but after six bars (2 on my own, 4 with Corinna) I figured I’d had quite enough fun for one day. Good times.

plating 101

14 Saturday Sep 2019

Posted by in sevilla, spain, tapas, tapas bars, tapas tours, triana

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This is seriously my favourite plating of a tapa in Sevilla, and I mean that sincerely. Simply for the not giving even one fuck attitude. It is what it is (a delicious marinated deep-fried quail), totally no frills and about as far away from pretentious as you can get. No sauce swooshes, no micro herbs tweezered on top (and they don’t charge for the bread). This is Casa Ruperto, a classic bar in Triana that has been serving up the best damn fried quail since the 60s, quickly and efficiently and with a smile. Basically an antidote to wanky gastrobars, to be taken whenever it feels necessary. You can also visit it on my Tasting Triana Tour.

rats!

13 Friday Sep 2019

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And I don’t mean the cute gold ones that were put up all over town last year. Apparently there is an actual “plaga de ratas” in Sevilla this year, with hundreds of reports called into the city authorities over the summer. Someone even told me they saw one race across the rafters in a tapas bar! I was also told that this year there have been more cockroaches around than usual, which may explain why they have shut down the underground “vaccuum cleaner” rubbish system in the centre (and why I found not just one but TWO in my house last month).

Anyhow, the other day this little guy crossed my path and then proceeded to “follow” me along the riverbank for awhile (though I’m sure it was mere coincidence and we just happened to be going the same way). Grainy quality pic as I didn’t want to get TOO close… yet another reason for that new iPhone 11 Pro with its super zoom lens.  😉