Hotel El Palace Barcelona

The Hotel Palace Barcelona is one of my favourites in Barcelona and it´s an icon in the city. I adore its classical style and its luxurious barroque decoration. The staff is so polite and friendly.

This week I went to the Christmas afternoon snacks event in the rooftop garden of the hotel with fantastic views of sunset and of Barcelona.

We eat and enjoy:

– Creamfilled xuixo, so delicious!
– El Palace financiers, omg!
– Tasty Macaroons
– Salmon and fine herb cream cheese
– A mozzarella and truffle pastry
– Coffe and Valrhona hot chocolate ( superyummy!)
– And most important: a toast with Ruinart champagne “ to love and good health!”

On the Rooftop there is also a cinema, a restaurant serving german cuisine called El Refugio de la Selva Negra, a charming Christmas market and of course, Santa Claus!

At the Christmas market I was delighted to meet the illustrator Joel Miñana and also the Born Rosé Barcelona stand. These rosé wines are organic and delicious and are also great for serving at our holiday celebrations or for make excellent gifts.

You can enjoy this special time of the year at the Palace Hotel, but really it’s the perfect place to go year round for a luxurious and beautiful experience.

So, what are you waiting for?

Hotel El Palace Barcelona
Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes 668

Indochine Ly Leap

Walking into the Indochine Ly Leap is amazing, you feel as if you are in a miniature Cambodia in the middle of Eixmple in Barcelona.

I love sitting at the tables which are surrounded by ponds with fish and the murmuring of the waterfalls. It adds to the illusion of being in the middle of the jungle, among pretty orchids.

Besides the exotic decoration, I adore the Southeast Asian cuisine and Indochine ly Leap Restaurant offers a tasting menu of cute and delicious small dishes.

Chef Ly Leap, who hails from Cambodia has a lot of talent and he is also very friendly and lovely with the clients.

I love:

· The noodles perfumed with coconut cream and mint with a touch of basil, yummy!
· The prawns in a citrus sacuce, super!
· Sea and mountain ravioli with maitakes and shitake,delicious!
· The Indochine fried rice ( it´s a simple dish but I love it!)
· Chicken marinated in red curry

And for dessert? I never skip it! A super coconut cream with mango! Supertasty!

To sum up: a beautiful place with a great cuisine and a spectacular dining experience. It´s a must!

Indochine Ly Leap
Muntaner 82, Barcelona

Born Rosé Bcn

As you know, I am a fan of the color pink, of rosé wine and specially organic, Born Rosé Barcelona fits in perfectly with my taste and lifestyle.

They have a Premium Rosé wine and a sparkling rosé (brut), all made in Barcelona.

They are very chic to serve at events, at home and for celebrations, because they are easy to pair and they look very cool combined with a set of pink crystal glasses!

The rosé wine is Dry Rosé, it is light and aromatic and what I like most is that it only has two grams of sugar per bottle!

The sparkling wine is lovely, with delicated bubbles.

Let´s talk about the pack:

The bottle design is so cute with a reusable top. I also love the nº15 Fig & wood candle which is totally handmade. It also comes with an adorable coaster set ( in pink!) with cool designs of Barcelona.

And the best, Cheers and enjoy la vie en rosé!!!!

You can buy online: www.bornrose.com

Can Jubany

Can Jubany, run by Chef Nandu Jubany and his wife Anna Orte since 1995, offers a traditional Catalan cuisine with a touch of vanguardism. Can Jubany, which is based in an old barnlike structure made of modernized stone with contemporary accents and modern decoration, is a gastronomic reference point.

Being in Can Jubany is a unique and sublime experience. As soon as you arrive you can breathe in its natural, positive and charming energy.

I adore the gardens, full of flowers and the orchard you cross on the way to the house. I can’t get enough of the kitchen with its big glass windows with views of the landscape with so much natural light!

Nandu Jubany and his wife are very warm and welcoming, as well as professional, making the gastronomic experience even more beautiful and enjoyable.

And the best part? The private dining room where we sat was just beside the kitchen. Super cool and fun! I recommend requesting this spot when you book your table, because the experience is as authentic as it gets!

As for the tasting menu, my favorite was the Arbequina olive oil, made my Nandu Jubany himself. Exquisite!

The garden tomato salad with tuna loin “al jabugo”, divine!

The grilled eggplant with soybean, burrata and “chapadilla” of eel, to die for!

The slow-cooked egg with bits of bacon and creamed mushrooms, very original!

Nandu Jubany’s version of Catalan codfish is so delicious that he’s converted me into a fan of codfish!

The pairing of wines was also fantstic!

El maridaje de vinos también fantástico!

As you know, I’m such a sweet tooth, so imagine how much I enjoyed the festival of desserts! My favorites were the “Babà” of rum-flambeeéd brioche with vanilla and icecream (see video) and the “coffee and chocolate textures”, all of which were spectacular!

Finally, they brought out a surprise which I loved. It’s a secret, though: you’ll have to find out for yourself!

Nandu Jubany (Michellin star) is one of my favorite chefs, not only for his professionality and his amazing menu, but also for his personality and his gastronomic art.

Can Jubany
Ctra. de Sant hilari S/N 08506 Calldetenes (Barcelona).

La Taverna del Mar

To eat very well, for good service, fresh fish and with an exquisite Mediterranean touch I recommend La Taverna del Mar restaurant.

It´s an icon and one of my favourites on the Costa Brava. It´s very important to ask for table by the windows to get the full sensory experience. You can eat while smelling the Mediterranean scent, feeling the sea breeze, listening to the sound of the waves and tasting the best seafood and fish. It´s an idyllic place with a perfect location and very romantic.

It was reformed in 2014 by decorator Lázaro Rosa Violán who has kept the tavern essence with nautical shades of blues and whites, that gives the place a touch of freshness but also giving a chic edge.

All the menu is delicious, the fish is very fresh and well prepared, the clumbs and the seafood are my favourites!

During the day, it´s fun to be on the terrace which is pretty but casual and at night I prefer to stay inside.

La Taverna del Mar
Passeig de Sant Pol , S´Agaró (Costa Brava)

Alábriga Sea Club

I was in the mood for a paella, nice views and chic ambiance, the perfect place is Alábriga Sea Club.

From my private booth I can enjoy the view of three shades of blue: pool, sea and sky! Its breathtaking!

Before the paella, I recommend to share some starters all of which are yummy.

The food is nice, the waiters are kind but the best is that you can spend all day at the pool, with private sun loungers, cocktails and good music! And of course the fantastic views!

Alábriga Sea Club en Alábriga Hotel & Home Suites SL
Carretera de St Pol 63, St Feliu de Guíxols

Villa Mas Restaurant

Villa Mas Restaurant is one of my fav restaurants and a s´Agaró classic.

The location is idyllic in a big modernist house with garden overlooking the sea.

The cuisine is Mediterranean with seasonal and local products. The produce comes straight from the owner´s vegetable garden free of pesticides.

You can sit inside of the restaurant which is cozy and with low lights or outside on the lovely terrace in front of the beach and where you can feel the Mediterranean breeze.

As you know I love to share dishes and my top are: the delicious oysters, the cantabrian anchovees, the French cheese platter, Palamós shrimps “a la andaluza” with lime, chili and grilled clams.

The chicken canelon is to die for!  And perfect to share!

For dessert, both healthy and delicious: “recuit de fonteta” (with goat chesse) and honey ice cream!

It´s a great place to relax with friends or have a romantic meal with your partner, enjoying a lovely dinner under the moonlight.

I will be back soon!

Villa Mas Restaurant
Passeig de Sant Pol 95, 17220 St Feliu de Guíxols, S´Agaró

A whole classic: Don Quijote

I hadn´t been to Don Quijote since I was a teenager, so I was excited to return to this traditional rustic yet very lovely place.

We sat in the nice terrace garden and firt thing we did was order the “tisana of cava” that is like the Spanish sangria but with cava instead of wine. It had been ages since I drank it! Omg!

To start, we ordered the very popular pinchos (brochettes) of the house and the whisky-flambeéd steak, which is served with several sauces, rice and salad.

The food is very nice, good quality and reasonably priced.

It´s a place where time has stood stil – despite renovations- it has maintained its essence.

¡Ah! The crepes are to die for! I specially recommend the nutella crepe and the strawberry one which comes with vanilla ice cream and topped with whipped cream, superyummy!

Don Quijote Restaurante
Carrer de l´Església, 60 Platja d´Aro (Costa Brava).

México Dorado Restaurante

It is not a a Tex-Mex restaurant! It´s an authentic Mexican Restaurant!

Mexico Dorado is situated in the heart of Sants, it takes you from Barcelona to Mexico with its genuine cuisine, made by chef Yoztin who uses ingredients straight from his home country.

I recommend the mix of garnachas! This dish is awesome and full of color and includes: chicken flautas, three sopes, enchiladas, guacamole and quesadillas.

I love he wild seabass with a hint of lime and served in a bed of flowers. It´s  beautiful and delicious.

Mexico Dorado also offers a good variety of Mexican beers and tasty cocktails made with love.

Ah, and how could I  forget the most fun part? Dinner is accompanied by the lively music of a mariachi band @Mariachisbarcelona, who keep the dinners singing, dancing and smiling as they enjoy their meals!

México Dorado Restaurante
C/ de Sants 6, Barcelona

Sushi, champagne and cocktails: U35 Sushi & Drinks

For those days when you´re craving sushi with the option of champagne and after dinner cocktails, I recommend the U35 Sushi & Drinks.

You can stay inside the local which is very  cool or outside where you can enjoy the fun atmosphere on the terrace with beautiful people.

Whenever I go, I order the vegetable and seafood gyoza, the “especiales U35” uramakis which are more original and elaborate than the normal ones.

My favourites are: the Kanji futomaki, the Ichigo Uramaki, the calamari uramaki colored by their black ink and the “especial U35”, all of them are yummy and made with colorful and flavorful fusions.

The star speciality of the U35 Sushi& drinks is the Chilean wagyu tartar with salmon, avocado and burned yolk.

After dinner, just enjoy and cheers with a good glass of champagne, wine or cocktail!

U35 Sushi & Drinks
Avda. del Cavall Bernat 6, Platja d´Aro (Costa Brava)