21 Monday Jul 2025
Posted in sevilla, tapas bars
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This system of chilling beer glasses in a tub of ice water… the same water that the barman basically rinses his dirty hands in all day every time he reaches in for a glass, swirling it around before lifting it out… omg make it stop. Seriously as bad as the bread baskets of death, never washed, constantly restacked then refilled. Gaaaah.
25 Wednesday Sep 2024
Posted in restaurants, sevilla, tapas bars
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After Monday’s GP visit we decided to stop for a quick Beer O’clock at Los Claveles, a very popular traditional bar that just happened to be half-way between the health centre and the bus stop home. After scoring a table in front of the large open windows we decided to stay for lunch, since it was actually lunchtime by then and I hadn’t updated their review on Sevilla Tapas since 2015 (!).
Anyhow, the tables were all set up with these pretty fish plates and when I asked our waiter where they came from he said he had bought them at a little shop in Marbella. Dang. But later on, after paying I went up to the bar and cheekily asked if I could buy a couple of the plates… then was totally surprised when the owner told his son “just give them to her!”. Score! I mean I was happy to pay for them, but it was a lovely gesture on their part.
This reminded me of many bar owners I know who “lose” their glasses, plates, cutlery on a daily basis because of assholes who want a “souvenir”. One bar I know lost two dozen monogrammed sherry glasses on one night when a bunch of drunken tourists decided to take them home and got away before the staff noticed. I also know a michelin starred place that had to change their fabulous cutlery because clients were making off with sets of them. Wtf guys… JUST ASK. Often the bar is happy to let you have the item(s) at cost price, and sometimes, yes, as a free souvenir. But just taking them… well, that’s stealing isn’t it. Show a bit of respect.
04 Tuesday Jun 2024
Posted in art, sevilla, spain, tapas bars
My friend Victor sent me this lovely pic overnight on whatsapp (he’s travelling in the US atm, this is why I always turn the sound off on my phone when I go to bed). But how fabulous is this? The view is from my Happy Place at the bar in Las Teresas, in front of the jamón cutting station. I have posted countless photos of this very scene over the years. So I asked Victor where he’d seen this and he said “on Twitter” but then couldn’t find the post again. I tried googling the signature and even searched the image… nada.
So it was time to ask social media… I put up the pic on Twitter, Bluesky and Instagram asking if anyone knew who the artist was and – in a very surprising turn of events – Bluesky won! My pal Rob came through with this…
So wow. Not only an artist and husband to a fellow cancer survivor but, really, one helluva guy with an interesting background story. What I’d really love to know is when he was here in Sevilla and how he ended up in my Happy Place and THEN felt so moved by it that he decided to create this. Meanwhile, kudos to my Bluesky buds… I wish more of you were there. It’s a bit like how Twitter used to be.
05 Friday Mar 2021
Posted in covid, restaurants, sevilla, tapas bars
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First off I want to say that of course I support the bars and restaurants here, many of which I love like my own second home and the people who own and run these places are like my family. And there are plenty of others that I respect and enjoy visiting. BUT… I have always felt it was my right to express my personal opinion about any of these places because, well, why not? It’s not like I’m anybody important.
But the ironic thing is that, since Covid, you are suddenly not allowed to say anything critical about any bar or restaurant because they are suffering, under pressure, doing their best, etc, etc. Well, I call bullshit.
13 Tuesday Oct 2020
Posted in restaurants, sevilla
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Every year the second Tuesday in October is designated as the annual Día de la Hostelería. This year it’s more important, and also more poignant, than ever. I’m watching my friends struggling to stay afloat, most are not even making ends meet but they keep on working, they keep on trying. Sadly others have lost their businesses. It’s been a heartbreaking year.
The jury is still out on how safe indoor dining is. Luckily in Sevilla people can eat outdoors pretty much all year round. But for those without terraces it’s harder to comply with the health and safety regulations and still cover costs. Though I do see most trying, in spite of the difficulties.
There has been a scandalous lack of government support for the hospitality industry here in Spain, as well as elsewhere in the world. Even though these places are our second homes, they are where we go to celebrate, to commiserate, to enjoy our lives, to meet up with friends, to not feel alone. They are the heart and soul of our neighbourhoods. And they need our support.
So even if, like me, you can’t afford to go out like before, then change it up. Just stop by a favourite place for a couple of tapas. You don’t have to spend a lot, but it will all add up if enough people do it. Also, go midweek when bars and restaurants are quieter, because that’s when they need us the most. And remember to help them keep things safe for everyone by wearing your mask when you’re not actually eating or drinking, or any time you get up from your table. Also when the waiter comes to your table… if you pull your mask up then you’re helping to protect them too.
We’re all in this together. Ánimo amigos. ❤
casa azahar 