In Barcelona, my ideal Friday afternoon consists of joining friends for a late, multicourse lunch, full of amazing wine and even better story telling.  Taverna el Glop is exactly that place, where I love to go for these lunches lasting well beyond sunset.

Their original location in the Gracia neighborhood serves as the perfect rustic environment for a great typical Catalan meal during the cooler months.  Here almost everything is preparred on the open fire grill or “a la brasa” as the locals say.

Some must tries that I include in my order every time are the “Escalivada” roasted vegetables with a traditional romescu sauce and “Escaixada” semi cured bacalao starter preparred with olive oil and diced tomatoes then the main course “Secreto Iberico” which is tender Iberian grilled pork and the “Butifarra” Catalan sausage.

Be sure to ask for seconds of the pan con tomate, their house grilled bread covered in tomato, garlic and olive oil, the absolute best in town of this traditional Catalan bread, which goes perfectly with all three dishes.  Save room for a bit of dessert and give the coconut flan a try along with some JMFG cava to wash it down.

Before you know it, your after lunch bottle of cava will be finished, you’ve sipped down the last drops of your aperitif shot and you’ve had an amazing day with friends either people watching in the shade along Rambla Catalunya or cozy near the fire and exposed bricks in Gracia.

Address: C/SantLluis, 24 Phone: 932137058

www.elglop.com

If you’re ever looking to bump into me in Barcelona, then your best chances would be at Bar Foc.  Apart from my home and my beach club, this is the place where I always end up visiting multiple times per week when I’m in town.

This tiny gem of a bar amongst the tourist traps that line the port is a great place for a chill afternoon drink with friends after departing the beach, or an ideal pre party before making it out to any of the nearby clubs.  Being an “anything goes” type of scene, you really feel comfortable at Bar Foc in anything from a swimsuit cover up and flip flops to your trendiest duds for a night out on the town.  Honestly, it’s the only bar in the world where I often arrive on my bike.

Some of my favorite occasions to enjoy Bar Foc are during the FC Barcelona football games, as it’s always packed with a lively, international crowd of fans.  So if you miss out on buying tickets to the game while you’re in town, just head to Bar Foc and you’ll have a fantastic time.

Featured In: http://www.jetsettergypsy.com/content/barcelona-iv-everything-happens-reason

Address:  Joan de Borbo, 66   Phone:  932 241 153

http://focyou.com

My favorite of the new, chic bars in town, Boca Chica is a mix of baroque elegance, nautical chill and wilderness lodge coziness.

Here you’ll find the most fashionable crowd in Barcelona, so be sure to break out your best designer duds.

There are three distinct settings giving you different options to suit your company.

The top floor hosts a more serene, library style bar, great for an after dinner drink or entertaining clients.  Here, you’ll also find a beautiful terrace setting perfect for when the weather is warmer, or even in wintertime, as they create an almost tentlike setting with individual space heaters at each table.

The most lively bar zone and in my opinion the best is the main bar area, where you have overstuffed sofa style lounge seating, a huge bar, crowded always, but never too packed to grab a drink and a great mix of retro hits and indie pop being spun by the DJ downstairs in the bathroom…yes, that’s correct the bathroom (the third ambience). 

After trying a few “Bankers”, their vodka, ginger and lemon martini cocktail, a visit to Boca Chica’s unisex bathroom downstairs is an absolute must.

Once down here, you won’t want to leave, as you’ll feel like you’ve been invited to an exclusive dance party in a close friend’s home, who happens to be a fantastic dj...and did I mention, the walls are covered in vintage mirrors.  So by the time you work up a sweat dancing, you’ll realize you’re in one of the sexiest settings in town!

Don’t forget to take a breathe of fresh air later, upstairs on the the apartment bar’s terrace.

Featured In: Barcelona IV – Everything Happens For a Reason

Address:  Passatge de la Concepcio, 12

Phone:  934 765 149

www.bocagrande.cat

One of the newer “see and be seen” style restaurants on the Barcelona dining scene.  Boca Grande has the elegance of a French bistro, but with an eclectic spin.

From the minute you enter, you’ll get the feeling of “where am I?,” surrounded walls covered in antique style mirrors and shelves of glittering crystal wear, yet toned down with comfortable / nautical chic furnishings.

The raw bar here is fantastic and a major focus not to be missed.  This was my first time trying the Catalan delicacy of sea urchins, which are a must do as well as any of the fresh seafood at this restaurant.  A really unique take on the Spanish “Huevos Estrelladas” are their house made French fries topped with Iberian ham, fried egg and black truffles, the perfect side to any of the meat or fish dishes.

Apart from the power lunches galore, my favorite mealtime here due to the loads of gorgeous “eye candy”, Boca Grande is also a fantastic restaurant to grab dinner then head upstairs for drinks afterwards.

Your nightcap setting will be one of the chicest bars in town and my personal favorite, Boca Chica.  It’s intimate, cozy and full of great music and people.  The icing on the cake, the unisex bathroom, fully equipped with a dj booth and walls of vintage mirrors, making it one of the most unique bathrooms in Spain and a sure shot for a dance party if you stay late enough.

Featured In: http://www.jetsettergypsy.com/content/barcelona-shopping-scene-fashion-chameleons-welcome

Address:  Passatge de la Concepcio, 12

Phone:  934 765 149

www.bocagrande.cat

Having opened about 2 years ago, I couldn’t believe that I didn’t know about this place until earlier in the year.  What a gem, situated just off of Las Ramblas!

Bar Canete is a mix of retro chic décor with an open kitchen / bar dining concept.   Here you’ll find modern takes on typical Spanish and Andalucian culinary classics.  Reservations are a must for one of the few tables in house or you can share a variety of the amazing, small plated dishes with your friends, while seated at the bar.

A few tapas that top my list are the pan fried eggplant strips with honey sauce, the tacos de atun al ajillo (fresh seared ahi tuna cubes with roasted garlic) and the zamborinas (mixed shellfish, breaded and baked) served on the half shell.

Be sure to leave room for desserts, as the mil hojas cake (flaky / crispy layered pastry separated with rich cream) and the baba al ron (typical neopolitan rum soaked, phallic shaped pastry) are some of the best I’ve tried in town, the later, only second to the baba I’ve tried in Naples.

As Bar Canete has quickly become a place where I bring my guests anytime they’re visiting me in Barcelona, you’ll certainly feel like a welcome guest whenever you visit.

Address:  c/ de La Unio, 17  Phone:  932 703 458

www.antiguobarorgia.com