Tag Archives: sevilla

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.

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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!

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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.

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welcome to the academy!

18 Monday Sep 2023

Posted by in academia sevillana gastronomy turismo, gastronomy, sevilla

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academy lunch (1)

Last week the Academia Sevillana de Gastronomía y Turismo held its “back to school” first event of the new season after summer holidays. Which was also the first one for me as a new member! This took place at the Escuela de Hostelería de Sevilla just over the river in La Cartuja. Only 15 of our 40 members were able to attend (turns out this is typical due to various work commitments) but we had a great time, and of course all three newbies turned up.

Everything was arranged by Iñaki Echeveste, the director of the school, and first we had a tour of their new avocado Avolution Lab where we found out how regional avocados were being produced and used for, well, pretty much anything you can think of, from oils to beauty products. We sampled a few avocado treats from sauces to breads and it was all delicious. What a great initiative, using up every bit of the fruit from skin to stone (as well as the delicious stuff in between).

academy lunch (2)

Then it was time for lunch, which was prepared and served by the hospitality school students. And as you can see, it was impressive to say the least. We enjoyed a welcome vermouth cocktail, followed by Sevilla orange gazpacho, then grilled seabass with espinacas con garbanzos, and solomillo Ibérico with tomato sauce and crispy potatoes topped with a fried quail egg, all accompanied by two regional wines. And then desserts (plural). Really needed that walk back over the river afterwards. Looking forward to future Academy events.

it’s my 30th Sevilla anniversary!

16 Saturday Sep 2023

Posted by in 30th anniversary, sevilla

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30th

Yep today was the day and, as it turned out, I spent most of my actual Sevilla anniversary in Jerez. Starting with a visit to the smallest sherry bodega in the world (more on that later). Back in Jerez we enjoyed a tapas lunch at a “new” place I’ve been wanting to visit since it opened, but covid got in the way. Happy to report that Bina Bar did not disappoint and, as always, we had a great time with friends Anne & Paul. Later we stopped at another tapas bar for a penúltima before heading to the super posh 5-star Casa Palacio María Luísa for pre-train cocktails out in the garden. Paul insisted on instructing the barman on how to make the perfect vodka dry martini and, I have to say, he was not wrong! It was probably the best martini of my life.

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Then it was time to head home and, although Peter seemed like he was done for the day, when I realised we’d be getting back to Sevilla at 8 pm I suggested we get off at San Bernardo station and get the tram to the city centre… and then stop in at Bodeguita Romero. Which we did, suitcase in tow. We both knew if we went home first there was no way we’d go out again.

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And it was perfect. The place was packed even though we got there shortly after opening time but María magicked a couple of bar stools for us next to the open front doors. And it just felt right to be there on my anniversary, a bar that feels so much like home. We just had a couple of snacks and Alejandro invited us to a small bottle of Corpinat sparkling rosé (gorgeous!).

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After that we wandered home. I didn’t even unpack. Just dropped the suitcase, cuddled the girls (who were waiting by the front door), had a nice hot shower and flopped into bed, feeling so happy about all these years here, and all the wonderful people I’ve come to know, in Sevilla and elsewhere.

sinusitis vs covid

13 Wednesday Sep 2023

Posted by in covid, health

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sinus vs covid

Well dammit. It’s back! Or is it? A month ago I had a serious bout of what I assumed was rhinosinusitis as it mostly stayed in my head. And while I had symptoms I kept testing for Covid, just in case, since who knows what the symptoms are the new variants (not us, because we’re not being told). So I wasn’t too concerned when this started up again on Sunday as it was pretty much the same-old with runny nose, facial pain, dripping down my throat (ick), plus I have had sinus issues all my life. But then yesterday things took a turn.

A small “tickle” that had developed in my throat turned into full-on coughing my lungs out during the night, so bad that I could barely sleep. And yet I still tested negative for Covid this morning (I’ve been testing daily since Sunday). WTF? Using this venn as a guide, the only overlapping symptoms I have are cough and slight congestion, the rest is all sinusitis stuff. And sinusitis could be the result of either a bacterial infection or “just a cold”, both of which can spread to the lungs. Obviously a bacterial infection isn’t contagious, but “just a cold” is.

I mean, I don’t feel terrible or anything (other than my face still hurts, lots of pressure) and today the cough seems to have disappeared as quickly as it showed up.

MEANWHILE… a couple of weeks ago I booked tickets for one of the fabulous Catas Magistrales that are taking place during the Jerez Vendimia (grape harvest), this one being hosted on Friday evening by Bodegas Lustau in the splendid Alcázar gardens. I also booked train tickets and a hotel for overnight. And now I don’t know what to do.

So what to do? If I’m going to cancel then I have to do it first thing tomorrow morning so I don’t end up having to pay for the hotel (train and event tickets are non-refundable). Back in the day I would have thought nothing about travelling – or even going out somewhere – with “just a cold”. Those days are gone. But if I am no longer sneezing and coughing… oh I don’t know, maybe it’s just sinuses. Of course I’ll have my FFP2 mask on while travelling on public transport. And most of the things I’ll be doing in Jerez will take place outdoors. It’s quite a dilemma. What would you do? And yes, am looking at you Kate.