Sleeping
Posted May 21th, 2008 by jbaljkoHotel Husa Oriente
If you want to stay where the action is, then the Hotel Husa Oriente is the way to go.
Housed in a completely renovated 17th Century convent and located smack in the middle of Barcelona's main promenade, La Rambla, the three-star hotel brings together old-world elegance with modern flair. In the common areas, you'll find thick drapes, a marble staircase, chandeliers and other similar touches that tell stories of a bygone era. The rooms have a different kind of style, with natural light and sophisticated minimalism being the central themes.
Eating
Posted April 11th, 2008 by jbaljkoBuenas Migas
If you're looking for a good cup of cappuccino or want a light snack before or after hitting the pavement, then Buenas Migas won't disappoint. The cozy café serves up fresh, homemade scones, pastries, Spanish tortillas, salads, pasta, sandwiches, and a variety of sweet and savory focaccia. It even sells its own branded jams, lemon curd and other items that make nice gifts. And, I dare you to leave without trying the Chocolate Bomb - it's a chocoholic's dream.
The story goes that owners Patrick and Clare, who hail respectively from Genoa, Italy and Cornwall, England, studied the art of focaccia bread making in Genoa, the city that brought the world delectable flat, oven-baked bread usually topped with olive oil, salt and an array of herbs. They settled in Barcelona and brought these traditional recipes with them. The first Buenas Migas opened in 1998, and now there are seven sites around the city, including ones near the Cathedral and MACBA (Barcelona's Museum of Contemporary Art); along the main drags of Passeig de Gràcia and Diagonal, and a stone's throw from Barceloneta's beach.
Eating
Posted April 11th, 2008 by jbaljkoLa Fonda
What's that you say - you're looking for a lively, but romantic place where you can share some sangria with your honey and savor some paella (a rice dish made with seafood or meat) or fidueà (similar to a paella, but with noodles instead of rice)? Well, there's this place, off the Rambla, not far from Plaça Reial, that may do the trick.
Although the main dining room is often packed with locals and visitors, La Fonda uses soft lighting draped in red lampshades and dark wood touches to create a warm, intimate atmosphere. A loft area and a downstairs room with fresco-like paintings on the ceiling give it a homey ambiance.
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