Diagonally shopping [part 2]

[Canas y Tapas, Barcelona]

So, its lunch and we’ve been pretty much shopping for 3 or 4 hours straight… and the men have been really patient. waiting. waiting. waaaaaaaaaaaaiting.

This is when I thought why the hell isn’t there a ‘men/baby/bags’ drop off point in shopping centres?? you know, like an area where the helpless victims of shopping go to congregate, discuss how shit their life is waiting for their ‘WAGs’ as they chew through their credit card… naturally watching some sort of manly sport event over a manly drink, like beer. hmmmm, I seem to have gotten a bit carried away with the ‘masculine’ stereotyping….

[image from here]

In all seriousness, if there was a ‘bar’ or some sort of couchy/tv/drinky area where men and women alike can rest and wait for their significant others… [like a pitstop] – I think it would really take off!. You could also leave your bags there whilst you mosy around collecting more?? I dunno, I’m just putting it out there. 🙂 I saw a billion men in pain-blank look in their eyes, wishing this would end with one hand on the hip and the other on their throat…as they died a slow and painful, shopping related death….. [omg…. distracted!!!!]

Just quietly, I thought men and women had evolved from the shopping stereotypes… but I guess these were middle aged men, and old habits die hard…

ok, where was I?…. LUNCH!!!

We stopped by the outdoor eating area, but opted for inside eating as the weather was being super Melbounrne – bipolar!!

We proceeded to eat through the menu. pretty much.

First, we have grilled chicken salad: This was lying on a bed of fresh salady leafy numbers accompanied my amazing goats cheese. I love cheese. I would totally die for cheese…totally. 😀

Fresh tuna salad on a bed of leaves. Partying on the side we have tomatoes and boiled eggs… this wasn’t my favourite dish… but thats only b/c I cant stand boiled eggs!

I ordered sauteed mushrooms with my favourite Iberico Jamon on crusty fresh bread. This was beautiful accesorised with fresh leaves and a touch of onion sprouts. Oh and I ordered a handbag/airport friendly bottle of olive oil to go!.. seriously, what was with that…. we were swimming in oils… OH heres some for your carryon luggage, pop it in with your 100mls!!! right!.

Lastly, not leastly, we have the cheese and meat platter… seriously I need to be kept away from this stuff. It is my weakspot.

Meat platter: YUM!!! JIZZ
Cheese platter: again JIZZ!!!

Fresh.Crusty.BREAD and DIPS and take home airport friendly OIL!!!!! I DIE! 🙂

To top it all off, we were presented with a gorgeous espresso that left the most creamy taste in my mouth… LOVE!

This essentially ends Diagonally shopping in Barcelona… stay tuned for the next session of ‘a foodaholic in Spain…’ *giggles*

. . .

Tastefully yours,
. . .

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V a l e n c i a : d e l i c i o u s !!!

[Valencia, Spain]

In search of the best Paella….

Day 1: Coast side restaurant in Valencia

Paella is always served for a minimum of 2 ppl, its always best enjoyed together in other words 🙂

‘Paella (Spanish pronunciation: [paˈeʎa]) is a Valencian rice dish that originated in its modern form in the mid-19th century near lake Albufera, alagoon in Valencia, on the east coast of Spain.^[1]

Many non-Spaniards view paella as Spain’s national dish, but most Spaniards consider it to be a regional Valencian dish. Valencians, in turn, regard paella as one of their identifying symbols.

There are three widely known types of paella: Valencian paella (Spanish: paella valenciana), seafood paella (Spanish: paella de marisco) and mixed paella (Spanish: paella mixta), but there are many others as well. Valencian paella consists of white rice, green vegetables, meat (rabbit, chicken), land snails, beans and seasoning. Seafood paella replaces meat and snails with seafood and omits beans and green vegetables. Mixed paella is a free-style combination of meat, seafood, vegetables and sometimes beans.

Most paella chefs use calasparra^[2][3] or bomba^[3] rices for this dish. Other key ingredients include saffron and olive oil.’

Seafood Paella + Sangria + hot night = trouble!… I think I shortly fell into a food coma after this meal!

Day 2: something different 🙂

Entree was a local potatoe and egg dish, I’m not the biggest fan of sunny side, but it was a very interesting meal nonetheless.

It was a bit heavy for entree, but I think for a breakfast – it would be lovely after a big night out or on a cold sunday morning.

then, we tried NOODLE Paella! that was VERY interesting. Apparently it was a local speciality, it was surprisingly salty but very tasty and bursting at the seams with seafood! 🙂 yummm!!!

Day 3: Amstelleria, Aqua shopping centre.

We were staying accross the road at Hotel Melia Valencia (which was an absolute treat at a bargain price), and we ventured towards the new shopping complex to see what it was all about.

It was an interesting space – all very open and no use of air-conditioning in the foyer area because it had been designed with the environment in mind – it used the natural flow of air as ventilation.

For lunch, we decided to try something different, and I think we both agreed this place was amazing!

Beer on tap on you table!!! – what a seriously cool idea!!!

I ordered a salmon bocadillo and we were on our merry way to becoming a little tipsy 🙂

[Last day brunch]

At the only place that seemed busy on the Sunday we were leaving, we were treated to a massive brunch including drinks and coffee for only 10 Euros each!

Paul got an amazing roast entree and lunch…I think it was a bunny rabbit (:( )

and I got this pan fried egg and potatoe thing again – with patee this time.

I’ll have to say, I probably wouldnt go back to try the same, but Paul’s roast was seriously melting off the bone type deal. yum!

It wasn’t the best service, as there on only one woman pretty much running the front, but she did the best she could.

And given the circumstances, it was all very quick and filling.

Desert was also simply, but fresh and delicious.

[strawberry sponge cake & fresh melon]

Overall a pretty ‘delicious’ Spanish summer holiday, and would definitely go back to try the other parts of Spain’s specialities.

…………………………………………

tastefully yours,

Joanna