As I mentioned in Wednesday’s post about Barcelona (here), over a year ago I diligently sat up to book at table at San Pelligrino and Acqua Panna’s Number One Restaurant in the World, El Celler de Can Roca. It was a case of third time lucky (as I had tried a couple of times before) and scored the boy and I a table a deux. Then it was just a case of waiting to see what all the fuss was about. Continue reading
A brief but brilliant weekend in Barcelona
A weekend or so ago we spent a couple of days in Barcelona. The primary reason for our visit was that finally our reservation at El Celler de Can Roca which we had had to book 13 months in advance (yes an entire year!!) was upon us. But it was also a great excuse to spend some time in a city I’d been longing to return to since my first trip a decade ago. but more on that on Wednesday.
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L’Arpège – a review
French food but not as you know it. Alain Passard’s restaurant L’Arpège specialises in dishes focused on vegetables grown in his own kitchen garden (Fillé sur Sarthe). Throughout the tasting menu, vegetables are the main event and even my carniverous other half had to admit that Monsieur Passard’s food was satisfying and innovative. L’Arpège is exactly what I want from a meal – full of flavour but with none of that heavy, creaminess that I think a lot of us have come to associate with Gallic cuisine. L’Arpège earned its third Michelin star in 1996 and has retained it ever since. It is easy to see why… Continue reading
Weekend wanderings in Paris
I haven’t been for Paris for years and having lucked out with a glorious sunny weekend I decided to take full advantage of the weather and see as many of the highlights Paris on foot as possible. According to my Jawbone (whose reliability I’m not totally convinced on) I walked well over 60,000 steps over the course of the weekend, which of course I used as the perfect excuse to indulge in delicious French food… Continue reading
Spring – a review
A couple of weeks ago I finally got my act together and made it to Spring, Skye Gyngell’s (not so new) restaurant. I’m a bit late to the game with this one as Spring, located in the beautiful Somerset House, opened autumn of last year and due in part to its beautiful aesthetic and even more to its delicious food was quickly a regular feature on instagram. But better late than never…
Geranium – a review
Last weekend I returned to Denmark for a very special wedding but made sure to take advantage of returning to Copenhagen and another friend’s birthday to try another of it’s top rated restaurants – Geranium.
Headed up by Rasmus Koefed, Geranium has, like Noma, two Michelin stars yet is doesn’t seem to be as widely known. While, in my humble opinion, this is something that should change I’m not sure I really want it to! It was much more manageable to get a reservation at Geranium and yet, for me, the food, while less challenging, was more enjoyable and just as beautifully presented.
Colombia Part Four – Coffee and countryside rambling
There is so much to explore in Colombia’s coffee country but after some research we started our tour of the area by spending a couple of days at the fantastic Hacienda Guaybal. This family run farm is located just outside of Chinchina and you can either visit for a tour of the plantation and a coffee tasting session or stay for a couple of days like we did. Continue reading
Colombia Part Three – culinary and cultural delights in Cartagena and more Caribbean chilling
Cartagena des Indies is Colombia’s fifth largest city and known, with very good reason, as the queen of the Caribbean. This charming colonial town has a great energy, wonderful food and is just a short boat ride away from some of the most beautiful beaches and islands I have been lucky enough to spend time in. Continue reading
Colombia Part Two – Ciudad Perdida and convalescing in luxury
Following a very relaxing week on the heavenly Caribbean island of Providencia (more here) we shocked ourselves back into reality with an arduous but incredible trip to Ciudad Perdida, or the Lost City, a ancient archeological site I’d been longing to visit since my trip to Machu Picchu some time a go. Continue reading
Colombia Part One – the Capital and Caribbean chilling
A little while a go I ignored all the naysayers who write Colombia off as dangerous and only for those who are into their hard partying and set out with some girlfriends to discover Colombia’s other side. I am so glad that I did…Colombia quickly proved itself to be one of the best countries I have ever visited. Not only was there so much to see and do (and no none of it was white and powdery…except maybe the pristine sand on the beaches) but the people were so kind, friendly and enthusiastic and not once did I feel unsafe.