del Posto Prix Fixe lunch for $29

Those of you who follow this blog know how much I love Mario Batali, especially del Posto.
So as soon as I found out that del Posto has Prix Fixe lunch for $29, I had to go. Right after I came back from Spain, I still had a few days off from work, so Chris and I went for lunch (early lunch at noon, because it's still hard to get a reservation).

It's a three course menu, even though some of the dishes have extra charge, most of the courses don't. Plus it was good to know that you still get bread & lardo (my favorite). Portions were good enough for lunch and dessert was good size too.

Apparently, the lunch menu started to get people in and hope they would come back for more expensive dinner. But you know I would go back to del Posto any time.

http://www.delposto.com/menu.cfm?restaurantid=1&id=4

***UPDATE***  Price has gone up to $39.  But it's still a great deal!  (update: 9/1/12)

Pinotxo Bar

Michelle's friend recommended Pinotxo Bar, so we had to check it out. It's right inside of Boqueria market. We were lucky enough to grab two seats, because after us sitting down, people were waiting.

They have small dishes that they serve. It's perfect before/after shopping. We were there for later breakfast.



Address : La Rambla, 91
Zip code : 08001
City : Barcelona - Spain
Area : Ciutat Vella
Opening hours : 6am-4pm Monday to Saturday
Prices : From 3 to 10€
Phone : +34 93 317 17 31
Metro/Bus : Ramblas

La Boqueria Market

Since I wanted to go to Spain for food, we couldn't miss La Boqueria Market. And it was definitely more than my eye can handle. We were surrounded by meat, vegetable, and seafood and the color and smell were incredible. Photos don't do any justice, so I won't even bother posting more photos than three. You just have to see and smell it yourself. I just wanted to pick up a leg of jamon and a case of tomatoes and get on a plane.




http://www.boqueria.info/index.php

Ohla - Gastonomic

Michelle and I both had a list of restaurants to check out but Barcelona turned out to be (as you would expect) a kind of city that you can just walk into any place and have an incredible meal.

Ohla hotel was one of places. Ohla hotel's restaurant on ground floor was not too far from our hotel (walking distance). So one day we were walking by and said we would come back for dinner.

Our Venezuelan waiter with American accent was very helpful and food was fantastic.
We ended up going back for second time.

Iberco ham and sardine

The most amazing shrimp I have ever had. I can't remember the name now, but they were from local bay

Dublin Bay shrimp - it looked more like spiny lobster to me and this was the reason why we went back the second time because first time we went there, they didn't have this

Ohla Hotel, Barcelona

Via Laietana, 49 - 08003 Barcelona - Spain

Phone: (+34) 933 415 050

Jamonisimo

Jamonisimo - was on my list. My search online made me believe that Jamonisimo was a restaurant with selling jamon on the side. Boy, was I surprised. It was actually the opposite. It was s jamon shop with two tables in the back.

And there was only one lady who was working there and she didn't speak any English. Because we were not having any issues with not speaking Spanish, we didn't have a phrase book with us either. Don't ask me how and why. We waited a while but got to sit down and had some salad and some jamon.

The lady cut jamons right at the spot - just with knife, no machine.
If you are in Barcelona, it's a stop you must make, but don't expect a good service, just stop by for some unbelievable meat that you come to Spain for.





http://www.jamonisimo.com/
Provenza, 85
Barcelona

Cava Sangria

I like the idea of drinking sangria, but most of the time, it's made of red wine. Since I don't really drink red wine (don't ask me why), I always have to find something else to drink. I know there is white wine sangria, but not that many places to make that.

So when I saw cava sangria on the menu at this restaurant, I couldn't wait to try. Sorry, I can't find the name of the restaurant. It was part of a hotel... I will keep trying to go through my receipts.

It was so refreshing and a perfect glass for a perfect afternoon. I was looking online for recipe online and it seems like everyone knew about cava sangria except for me. So if you can't find a restaurant or bar that make it, you can make it yourself!!!

Cervecería Catalana

One restaurant that was recommended to us was: Cervecería Catalana. It's a tapas bar but also with outdoor tables. It was known was one of the best tapas place and it definitely didn't disappoint.

Here are just a few photos and every dish we ordered was delicious. I still dream about them.... especially cuttlefish...




Cervecería Catalana
Address: Carrer de Mallorca, 236 (Barcelona)
Between Rambla de Catalunya and Balmes.