Crumbs

Neighborhood Restaurant Group is a wonderful collective of restaurant pros operating a dozen unique places in DC/NoVA. They sent out an email today about a nifty

Olympic promotion they’re running but I can’t find anything about it on ANY of their many web sites, so here is the content from the email. Basically, grab a “passport” at one of their restos and get it stamped when you go to the other participating ones. When it’s full you get a $50 dining card. So fun and the prize is great! Read on for deets from NRG:

Now that the games have begun, we’re suddenly seized by a serious case of Olympic fever. To celebrate the spirit and since we can’t be in Canada, we’ve created a fun crawl around town.

Here’s how it works: From now through the closing ceremonies, each of our restaurants will adopt a country during the games and offer both food and drink inspired by that country.

You need only visit any one of our restaurants, ask for a passport, then dine around at the others gathering a stamp at each along the way. Collect all six, and you’ll receive a $50 gift certificate.

From there, three medalists will be selected at random from all completed passports. The Gold Medalist will be awarded a $150 gift certificate, the Silver Medalist a $100 gift certificate, and the Bronze Medalist a $75 gift certificate.

All three medalists will be announced during our own version of the closing ceremonies right here in Del Ray. That’s right, we’re hosting another outdoor party on Sunday, February 28 at the Evening Star Cafe and invite you to join us beneath the heated tents from 1-6 for an Olympic oyster roast and block party celebration.

Expect a day’s worth of good food, fine wine, craft beers, good friends and neighbors and plenty of fun. There’s no fee to attend - Oysters, Red Apron Hot Dogs, Beer, Wine, Coffee and much more will all be priced individually anywhere from $3 to $12 and we’ll even screen the gold medal hockey game. So mark your calendars now for a rollicking day of Olympic fun right here in the neighborhood.

The Evening Star Cafe
Team United States
2000 Mt. Vernon Ave. Alexandria, VA 22301
www.eveningstarcafe.net

Featuring: Will’s All-American Waffle Burger | The Five B Stinger (Black Angus Beef Burger with Blue, Bacon and Buffalo Sauce on Jalapeno & Cheddar Biscuit) | Barnard Griffin Merlot from Washington State | Pale Ale from Philadelphia’s Yard’s Brewing Company.

Columbia Firehouse
Team Russia
109 South St. Asaph, Alexandria, VA 22314
www.columbiafirehouse.com

Featuring: Shortrib Beef Stroganoff with Housemade Egg Noodles | Moscow Mule Cocktail (Vodka, Ginger Beer & Lime) | House Infused Pepper Vodka.

Vermilion
Team Italy
1120 King Street, Alexandria VA 22314
www.vermilionrestaurant.com

Featuring: Four Cheese Ravioli with Path Valley Farms’ Red & Orange Beets and Walnut Froth | Blood Orange Negroni (Gin Campari & Sweet Vermouth) | Fernando Canavase Rosso “La Torazza” from Piedmont, Italy.

ChurchKey
Team Canada
1337 14th Street NW, Washington DC 20005
www.birchandbarley.com

Featuring: Poutine (ChurchKey’s Handcut Fries topped with Cheddar Curds and Sausage Gravy | A selection of Canadian draft beers from a trio of great Quebecois brewers including Trou de Diable’s Imperatrice Stout. ChurchKey is the only establishment in the USA offering this rare beer!

Rustico
Team Germany
827 Slaters Lane, Alexandria VA 22314
www.rusticorestaurant.com

Featuring: Pork Schnitzel with Wild Mushroom Spaetzle | Selection of German beers including Ettaler Curator Doppelbock, Augustine Brau Lager & more.

Tallula / EatBar
Team Poland
2761 Washington Blvd. Arlington VA 22201
www.tallularestaurant.com

Featuring: Housemade Potato Pierogi stuffed with Potatoes, Kielbasa & Cheese | Polish Beers by Zywiec | The Polish Hat Trick (A Pierogi, Zywiec Lager & shot of Belvedere vodka.

Neighborhood Restaurant Group
2000 Mt. Vernon Avenue
Alexandria, Virginia 22301
www.neighborhoodrestaurantgroup.com

My friend Nancy F. told me about this NYTimes article last summer describing my brother buying the sandals right off a man’s feet in Paris at the behest of his label’s designer. It’s strange for me to picture my brother who is so dignified and correct,  to be sent on any such errand. I mean: shoes off a dude’s feet in AUGUST especially in France must be gross. Did he have to touch them? Did I mention that my brother is a Brahmin priest? Clearly his colleagues don’t know. I’m not surprised that brother never mentioned this article to me.

He is creating moments like this:

I was reading NYTimes Diner’s Journal and saw an August 27 entry called FREE BAR FOOD. The guide to free eats around town (Manhattan and Brooklyn, for now) by Andy Freedman is supposed to live at http://www.winedanddined.com/2009/08/free-food-nyc/ but it’s been broken every time I’ve checked. So I found an older cached version of it and am posting info from it here to help out others looking for a gratis snack. Enjoy, and do reply by comment if this data becomes outdated or incomplete (I’ll do, too).

From The Ultimate Guide to Finding Free Food in NYC by Andy Freedman

EAST VILLAGE

Aroma Kitchen & Wine Bar (East Village): Their version of aperitivo is offered free and is paired with three wines selected by the sommelier ($15). Offered Monday to Thursday from 5 to 7 pm and Friday from 5 to 8pm. 36 E. 4th St. b/t Lafayette & Bowery

Bistrouge (East Village): Wine Wednesdays here means for $12 you get 4 different wines from the list and free marinated mixed European olives. 432 E. 13th St.

Burp Castle (East Village): Burp Castle offers free Pomme Frites to its patrons every Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. The Frites show up typically between 5-6:30, and are available until they are gone. 41 E. 7th St.

Cha An (East Village): When you buy a sake, beer or wine Mon-Thurs they’ll send you out three small and free appetizers. 230 E. 9th St. (2nd Fl) b/t 2nd and 3rd Ave.

Cooper 35 (East Village): Buy a drink and get free edamame or chips and salsa on weekdays. 35 Cooper Sq. at 3rd Ave.

Counter (East Village): Keep drinking the organic cocktails at the bar and they’ll serve you some free apps, like corn beignets and chickpea fries. Mon-Thurs from 5-11pm and Sundays. 105 1st Ave b/t 6th and 7th St.

Crocodile Lounge (East Village): Offers a free personal pizza with every drink. 325 E. 14th St.

Croxley Ales (East Village): The wings here are damn tasty and they’re complimentary at the bar on Fridays b/t 5-7pm. Not to worry though, they’re only 10 cents on Wednesday nights and 20 cents on Saturdays and Sundays. 28 Ave B b/t E. 2nd and 3rd St.

Cucuina di Pesce (East Village): What’s better than free mussels w/ marinara at the bar with purchase of a $6 beer or glass of vino. 87 E. 4th St at 2nd Ave.

d.b.a. (East Village): We hear they have free cheese plates at the bar on Mondays from 5-9pm and check this — free bagels and lox on Sundays from 1-4pm. 41 1st Ave b/t E. 2nd and 3rd St.

Desnuda (East Village): Truffled popcorn offered at all times at this tiny ceviche bar where the chef prepares seafood dishes right behind the bar. We loved the bottomless paper cone of popcorn, especially since it was generously misted with sprays of truffle oil. 122 E. 7th St. b/t 1st Ave & Ave A

Kurve (East Village): Get a free appetizer with the purchase of an entree. 87 2nd Ave at E. 5th St.

Nevada Smith’s (East Village): Friday happy hours at this football (soccer) shrine means free wings and sandwiches. 74 3rd Ave. b/t 11th and 12th St.

Standings (East Village): Gotta love the free pizza offered every Friday night starting at 8pm at this E. Village beer bar on one of the best beer blocks in the city. Oh yeah, and from Sept-June they have a free bagel bar on Sunday afternoons. 43 E. 7th St. 

THE VILLAGE & WEST VILLAGE

5 Ninth (Meatpacking): Gotta love the  four hour happy hour with $3 daily draft beer, $5 well drinks and wines, and free house-made pigs in the blanket or free soft pretzels.
Sun-Thurs, 5-9 pm. 5 Ninth Ave.

Centro Vinoteca (West Village): An $8 happy-hour cocktail here gets you a trio of bites, including a truffled deviled egg and a mini BLT (5–7pm). 74 Seventh Ave South at Barrow St

dell’anima (West Village): From 4 to 6 p.m. on weekends, patrons at the bar get complimentary Italian snacks-like grilled veggies, risotto and bruschetta to accompany their beer or cocktail. 38 Eighth Ave at Jane St (212-366-6633).

El Cantinero (Greenwich Village): Free buffet during happy hour with items like chimichangas and chicken wings. 86 University Place b/t 11th & 12th St.

Gusto Ristorante e Bar Americano (West Village): Aperitivo at the bar and outdoor café  is 7 days a week from 5-7pm and you get complimentary bar snacks to accompany your quartino of vino or $8 specialty cocktail.  Look out for saffron-scented rice balls, crisp house-made potato chips and a trio of Parmesan-prosciutto beignets. 60 Greenwich Ave at Perry St

Il Mulino (Greenwich Village): The onslaught begins here with the Antipasti, as free heapings are circulated through the restaurant and bar areas. 86 W. 3rd St.

Piola (Greenwich Village): Every weeknight get free salads, pizzas, homemade focaccia and other snacks with any drink from 5 to 8 pm. 48 E. 12th St.

Spain Restaurant (West Village/Meatpacking): Free tapas at the bar with your cocktail, beer or sangria. We hear it’s typically sweet meatballs, potatoes, and Tortilla de Patata. 113 W. 13th b/t 6th and 7th Ave

Temple Bar (Greenwich Village): Free popcorn that’s flavored with sweet curls of dried beets and yams. 332 Lafayette St. b/t Houston & Bleecker

SOHO & WEST SOHO

Cupping Room Cafe (Soho): Free bar food during happy hour b/t 5:30-7:30pm Mon-Fri. We hear it’s free wings many nights and 1/2 priced drinks, too. 359 W. Broadway b/t Grand & Broome St.

Emporio (Soho): 5-7pm Aperitivo Italian Style w/ one free refill of draft beer, house wine & sangria cocktails for $5, and free pizzette & stuzzichini at the bar. 231 Mott b/t Spring and Prince

Harbour (West Soho): offers free bar snacks like duck-fat popcorn, Chinese five-spice nuts and fried chickpeas with the purchase of a drink. 290 Hudson St. bet Dominick St. & Spring St.

Lusso (Soho): Free bar snacks such as pickled vegetables, herb cheese foccacia and mozzarella anchovy skewers on Mon-Fri from 5-7 pm. 331 West Broadway.

Manhattan Bistro (Soh0): Free appetizers at happy hour. Mon-Fri 5-1opm and Sat-Sun 7-10pm. 129 Spring St.

Sora Lella (West Soho): A the daily happy hour, 5- 7:30pm, Sora Lella serves up a selection of complimentary snacks (zucchini fries and bruschetta) at the bar to accompany cocktails ($10 each, regularly $13-14), select wines by the glass $8 and Peroni beer $5. 300 Spring b/t Greenwich & Hudson

Spring Lounge (Soho): Every Wednesday beginning at 5pm they serve up free hot dogs cooked in beer, and on Sundays starting Labor Day it’s free bagels. 48 Spring St.

Tailor (Soho): Curried popcorn certainly makes the $12+ specialty cocktails a bit easier to swallow. 525 Broome St. b/t Thompson St. & 6th Ave.

KIPS BAY, GRAMERCY & FLATIRON

Bar Stuzzichini (Flatiron): Receive a complimentary order of Stuzzichini with the purchase of a draft beer, specialty cocktail or quartino of wine. Mon-Fri from 4:30-6:30pm and Sat-Sun from 3-5pm. 928 Broadway

Bocca (Flatiron): Aperitivo is served at this Flatiron spot from 5:30 to 7:30 pm every night but Saturday. Typical snacks like bread, fresh mozzarella, mini-pizzas and breaded-and-fried green olives are part of the free offerings, served with a cocktail or glass of wine. 39 E. 19th St b/t Park Ave South & Broadway

Flute (Gramercy): 2 for 1 Champagne Happy Hour from 5-8pm every Tuesday w/ free caviar. 40 E. 20th St.

Hook & Ladder Pub (Murray Hill): During football season, they put out free pizzas and wings during halftime. 611 2nd Ave. b/t 33rd and 34th St.

Kellari’s Parea (Gramercy): They are giving samples of their meze (appetizers) at the bar during Happy Hour, seven days a week from 4-8pm. And if you log onto their website and join their friend and family online, you will receive a free Lifetime bottle of champagne. 36 East 20th Street b/t Broadway and Park Avenue South

Prespa (Murray Hill): The restaurant has a weekday happy hour featuring 50% off wine by the glass and cocktails as well as free hors d’oeuvres at the bar. 184 Lexington Ave b/t 31 & 32nd St

Rodeo Bar (Kips Bay): Buffalo wings and nachos during happy hour on Monday through Saturday from 4 to 8 pm and again Sunday from 6 to 9 pm. 375 Third Ave at 27th St

Rolf’s (Gramercy): Free finger sandwiches everday from 5-6pm at the bar.  281 3rd Ave. at 22nd St.

Rosa Mexicano (Union Sq): Free guacamole at the bar on Wednesdays and Thursdays b/t 5-6pm with purchase of a cocktail. 9 East 18th St.

Tabla Bread Bar Piquant popcorn tossed in Poppin’ Spice w/ drinks at the bar. 11 Madison Ave., at 25th St.

Vintage Irving (Gramercy/Irving Place): They’re giving complimentary sangria and hors d’eouvres between 5pm-6pm Monday through Wednesday. Just RSVP at vintageRSVP@yourpartyplanning.com. 120 E. 15th St.

Tarallucci e Vino (Union Sq): On weeknights, this traditional Italian wine bar puts out bites from 5-10pm including small platters of pizzette, quiche wedges and juicy and flavorful olives. You sometimes have to request these snacks. 15 East 18th St.

Tracy J’s Watering Hole (Gramercy): Happy hour here gets you free fries and buffalo wings (and sometimes free pizza). 106 E. 19th St.

LOWER EAST SIDE

Boss Tweed’s (Lower East Side): Free wings and pizza on Thursdays and Fridays b/t 5-7pm. 115 Essex St. b/t Rivington & Delancey

Broadway East (Lower East Side): Baskets of homemade chips (both parsnip and potato-flavored drizzled with truffle oil), and bowls of warm, spiced popcorn offered nightly at the bar. 171 E. Broadway

Iggy’s (Lower East Side): Free hot dog night on Tuesdays and there’s usually free food out on the bar most other nights, too. 132 Ludlow @ Rivington

MIDTOWN

Ben Benson’s (Midtown West): Free fried chicken and potato skins on weekdays starting between 5:30 and 6pm. 123 W. 52nd St. b/t 6th and 7th Ave.

Eatery (Hell’s Kitchen): Enjoy $5 sangria or cranapple martinis & complimentary food tastings every Tuesday-Thursday from 4 to 6pm. 798 9th Ave at 53rd St.

Flute (Midtown West): 2 for 1 Champagne Happy Hour from 5-8pm every Tuesday w/ free caviar. 205 W. 54th St.

Keen’s Steakhouse (Lower Midtown): Offers free snacks during happy hour Monday to Friday 5:30-7 pm. These include, on different evenings each week, barbeque ribs, fried shrimp, Swewdish Meatballs and Buffalo chicken wings. Hard-boiled eggs are free at the bar all day long. 72 W. 36th St.

Kennedy’s (Midtown West):Free wings and roasted potatoes w/ cheese on weekdays from 4:30-7pm. 327 W. 57th St. b/t 8th and 9th Ave.

Langan’s (Midtown West): Free chips and salsa and buffet of things like wings and poppers every weekday b/t 5-8pm. 150 W. 47th St. b/t 6th and 7th Ave

Montenapo (Midtown West): Between 4-8pm on Monday-Friday, Montenapo is offering a selection of complimentary hors d’oeuvres and more than 20 Italian wines by the glass starting at $8. The NY Times Building; 41st b/t 7th and 8th

Naples 45 (Midtown): Thanks to MidtownLunch and Mamacita for this one: Free slice of cheese pizza at the bar from 5-7pm weekdays. 200 Park Ave. (at 45th St.)

Pig n Whistle (3 Midtown locations): Calling to confirm with the 2 other Pig locations, but the Pig on 3rd confirms that they have free tapas out b/t 3-5pm on weekdays. 922 3rd Ave b/t 55th and 56th St.; 951 2nd Ave; 165 W. 47th St.

Port 41 (Hell’s Kitchen): Everyday cheap beer comes with free hot dogs and popcorn. 355 W 41st St between Eighth and Ninth Aves

Rudy’s (Hell’s Kitchen): Free hot dogs all the time at this Hell’s Kitchen dive bar. 627 9th Ave at 44th St.

Shelly’s Trattoria (Midtown): Free happy hour cicchetti (small bites) for cocktail-purchasing patrons. Among the selections: marinated vegetables, wild mushroom crostini and fried olives. Starts at 5pm. 41 W. 57th St.

T.G. Whitney’s (Midtown East): Complimentary chicken tenders, wings & potato skins on the hour every hour. 244 E. 53rd St. b/t 2nd and 3rd Ave

Vero Midtown (Midtown East): Get a free pressed panini on Monday nights with the purchase of a specialty cocktail ($9-$12), glass of wine (averaging $10) or martini ($11). 1004 Second Ave at 53rd St (212-935-3530)

 Zanzibar (Hell’s Kitchen): Free finger foods from 5-8pm every weekday. Drinks are $2 off, too. 645 9th Ave at 45th St.

Zarela (Midtown East): It’s free chips and salsa at the bar with your margaritas and cervezas. 953 2nd Ave nt/ 50th and 51st St

UPPER EAST SIDE

Iggy’s (Upper East Side): Free chicken wings every weekday b/t 5-7pm. 1452 2nd Ave at 76th St

Rosa Mexicano (Upper East Side): Free guacamole at the bar on Wednesdays and Thursdays b/t 5-6pm with purchase of a cocktail. 1063 1st Ave

Ryan’s Daughter (Upper East Side): We hear they always have a bag of free gourmet bbq chips on hand and sometimes free wings. 350 E. 85th St b/t 1st and 2nd Ave

Vudu Lounge (Upper East Side): Compliementary buffet on Thursday (til 7pm) and Friday (til 7:30pm). 1487 1st Ave b/t 77th and 78th St.

UPPER WEST SIDE

Dive Bar (Way Upper West Side): Offers a decent plate of mussels on Fridays for free… first come-first serve basis. 732 Amsterdam at 96th St

Peter’s (Upper West Side): Everday during happy hour get free chips and salsa and on occassion various appetizers.

Rosa Mexicano (Upper West Side): Free guacamole at the bar on Wednesdays and Thursdays b/t 5-6pm with purchase of a cocktail. 61 Columbus Ave at 62nd St

CHELSEA

Jake’s Saloon (Chelsea): A free buffet during happy hour w/ wings, pasta, quesadillas and more. 202 9th Ave.

Rocking Horse (Chelsea): Free chips and salsa at the bar. 182 8th Ave

FINANCIAL DISTRICT

Ancora (FIDI): Offering complimentary appetizers and grappa with lunch and dinner. You will be offered complimentary bites at the start of your meal, such as crisp zucchini fries with red pepper flakes, platters of soppresatta, chunks of imported parmesan and cured Italian peppers. Then, after your meal, whether you opt for dessert or not, your waiter will wheel over a table of complimentary homemade Grappas, Annisettes and Sambucas for you to select from. 11 Stone Street

Ryan Maguire’s Ale House (FIDI): Free food during Happy Hour from 5-7pm on Mon-Fri. 28 Cliff St. b/t John & Fulton St.

BROOKLYN

Levee (212 Berry St, Brooklyn) has free fancy cheese puffs.

Trash (256 Grand St, Brooklyn) has complimentary tater tots made to order upon request.

Alligator Lounge (600 Metropolitan Ave., between Leonard and Lorimer Sts., Brooklyn) will give you a free pizza with your beer.

Lost & Found (113 Franklin St; Greenpoint) gives away free hot dogs, bagels, and veggie dogs.

Hank’s Saloon (46 3rd Ave, Boerum Hill, B’lyn), we hear, has free barbecue on Sundays and Mondays after 9 p.m

Cafecito Bogota (1015 Manhattan Ave, Greenpoint, B’lyn) gives away colombian arepa paisa (topped with cheese) as well as goat cheese on Balthazar baguette every Tuesday. They offer free fine wine and cheese tasting sessions every Tuesday.

The Charleston (174 Bedford; B’lyn) will give you a free pizza w/ your beer.

Alchemy (56 5th Ave; B’lyn) will give you free fried chick peas at the bar.

Brazen Head (228 Atlantic Ave; Cobble Hill, B’lyn) buy $5 bloody mary or beer or cocktail and you can help yourself to sesame and poppyseed bagels and two types of cream cheese. And on Monday, drink at least one beer and you can help yourself to free chicken wings starting at 5pm.

Trophy Bar (351 Broadway between Keap and Rodney Sts, Williamsburg, B’lyn) offers some free bbq w/ purchase of a beer.

Mark Bar (1025 Manhattan Ave at Green St, Greenpoint, Brooklyn) offers free pizza and cold cuts on weekdays at 6pm, and on Sundays starting at noon, you can get free bagels and coffee.

Melt (440 Bergen St, Park Slope, B’lyn) offers free bar snacks with every cocktail ordered at the bar, from 5pm until closing.

Our hotel which I’ve mentioned before was Room Mate Alicia located on Santa Ana Plaza. It’s a quick walk to EVERYTHING, great cafes, restaurants, museums, the train station, the flea market. All, all, all. But if you’re reading my blog you’re probably hungry. So here’s where to eat around there.

TAPAS.
Huertas is a good place to start your tapas trip. We went every day, sometimes twice a day to La Casa del Abuelo. There appear to be two locations,

La Casa del Abuelo
915 212 319
CALLE VICTORIA 12

La Casa del Abuelo
915 313 866
CALLE NUÑEZ DE ARCE 5

but we only knew about the one on Victoria and mmm, mmmm mmmm was it good and fresh. We stood outside the place and drank and ate around these huge keg-tables. Please go. And if you’re inclined, cross the street for some PIGS’ EARS after. This is not something that I would do but it’s a specialty and you would want to know if you were standing right outside the place that does them best. La Oreja del Oro makes pigs ears and also has a reputedly wonderful mushroom dish that was sold out both times that I asked for it. So it must be good.

Alejandro Lorenzo La Oreja De Oro
Calle de la Victoria 9
28012 Madrid, Spain

For some reason we didn’t go to Las Bravas but they are ubiquitous and popular for their fried sauce-slathered potato treats. Go and tell me how it is: Las Bravas Calle Álvarez Gato 3 and all over town.

Husband is about to start crying now for attention, food and entertainment. More later.

Want to join in the fun and freebies? Join Aveda’s Birthday Program

Spanish flag

We flew continental through newark to Madrid, then took the high speed train to Barcelona. After that we took a little domestic flight from Barcelona back to the airport in Madrid for our return home. The high speed train (booked through Rail Europe) is great. Beautiful views of countryside and ocean, fancy mulitple course meals and wine and cava. Too bad some passendgers don’t wear deodorant, is all. Two first-class one way seats from Madrid Atocha to Barcelona Sants station were $304.00 USD and worth every precious penny.

Madrid

We stayed at stylish, friendly, centrally located Room Mate Alicia at the Plaza Santa Ana, based on the recommendation of the New York Times. It was all we hoped for and more. We had a duplex room with King size bed, 2 floors with a great terrace and a private mini pool (1X2m) with views. Flat TV, minibar, safety box, working desk, CD player, telephone and DVD player. Three nights total was EUR 856.00.

Barcelona

HOTEL NERI. Norm’s a diva about hotels so while I was able to get him to “go budget” with Room Mate Alicia in Madrid, it was pure luxe all the way in Barcelona. If you can swing this, you are in for a truly transporting experience, and the new friends you make in Barcelona will long to sip cocktails on your rooftop. After they have photographed every completely uniquely designed artifact on every floor. http://www.hotelneri.com/ Four nights totaled EUR 1262.60. Hm, I guess Alicia wasn’t that budget after all in comparison.

Mondo 93-221-3911  Waterfront restaurant in IMAX bldg with beautiful views and warm, accomodating staff. Beware that this place turns into a nightclub later, though.  Get fresh, local seafood like Carril clams, cigalas (langoustines), and espardenyes (sea cucumbers). Not cheap but lovely.

INOPIA 93-424-52-31
Chef is Ferran Adria’s brother and a star in his own right. Throngs of people outside trying to get past the ropes to get in so please call ahead. And be hungry. When I think of all the gorgeous courses of food later in the menu that I was really too stuffed to enjoy, I still regret it. My food critic friends says don’t fast on big tasting menu days, rather eat small meals in the day so you can pace yourself when dinner begins.

Cal Pep 93-310-79-61
One of the best eating experiences of my group’s life. Small dining room + counter seating that is always packed and the waiter will tell you to wait even if you have a reservation which you must have. Good luck and don’t give up. The food will make you cry. We got a crazy waiter who kept pretending to almost drop or spill our food and wine. The whole night. And I said that I don’t want to eat meat so even though he brought plenty for the table he also was very generous with plates of verdure. Ahhhhh.

Conde Nast’s concierge.com keeps crashing my computer every time I try to get the link to this article that I copied for my own use, so I’m pasting it here but giving them full credit! It’s a great interview of the famous Adria brothers, their word is gospel. (To skip to maps and practical info on their recos go to: http://gridskipper.com/archives/entries/062/62175.php.)

What’s Cooking in Barcelona
Culinary showstoppers Ferran and Albert Adrià dish about their hometown
Morning
Ferran: I’ll head to Pastelería Escribà and have a chocolate croissant and read the paper (546 Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes; 34-93-454-75-35); take a walk along the seafront; and then go for a vermut (an artisan vermouth that’s very classically Barcelonín) at Quimet & Quimet (25 C/Poeta Cabanyes; 34-93-442-31-42).
Albert: I don’t really eat breakfast. My perfect day is to get up late and watch The Simpsons. I love it and it relaxes me.
Afternoon
Ferran: At Shunka, a Japanese place in the Barri Gòtic, I like to sit at the bar and the boss just gives me what he wants; nigiris are my favorite (5 C/Sagristans; 34-93-412-49-91). At Rías de Galicia, if I’m going upmarket, I go for percebes (goose barnacles) and the best mariscos (seafood) they have (7 C/Lleida; 34-93-424-81-52).
Then, I quite like looking at the photos, music, books, DVDs at FNAC (France’s answer to the UK’s Virgin Megastore); I don’t get much time just for doing normal, everyday things (4 Plaça Catalunya, 34-93-344-1800).
Albert: My favorite place for lunch is on the terrace at home, but I also like to go and eat on a terrazza (terrace) somewhere in  Barceloneta. For me, being by the sea is vital. I don’t have a favorite, but it needs to have good fish or arroz (rice) dishes. I shop in the  Boqueira but don’t usually eat there because it’s too busy. I do stop for a chat and a coffee at either El Quim (584 Mercat de la Boqueria; 34-93-301-98-10) or Bar Pinotxo (66-67 Mercat de la Boqueria; 34-93-317-17-31). In the summer I spend more time in Rosas, because that’s where El Bulli is (Cala Montjoi, Roses, Girona; 34-97-215-94-57)
I don’t have a lot of free time, but when I do, I like to watch life go by the Ramblas. I also like the Miró museum very much; it’s a great space and I love its location on  Montjuïc. I guess my favorite thing is just to walk around Barcelona. You can have been walking the same street for years and you’ll always see something different every time.
Evening
Ferran: I like Inopia, not because it’s my brother’s place, but because of the atmosphere and because it’s good, traditional tapas. I don’t particularly have a favorite dish, though I do love the fried eggplants with honey. The most important thing about it is the people; it’s a real local’s bar.
I’m too old for fiestas (parties) and I don’t go out much at night. But if I want a late-night copa (drink), I like Espai Barroc because it’s so theatrical and different (20 C/Montcada; 34-93-310-06-73).
Albert: I go to Shunka to eat. I’m a friend of the chefs there and it’s interesting to see what they are doing. I think the quality is excellent for the price, so I have about 20 different dishes and then go out for a drink somewhere by the sea.
There’s a new place called Red Lounge, which is very trendy (78 C/Joan de Borbó; 93-221-3093), or I go to bar Colombo, near the boats, for a small caña (beer) (4 C/Escar; 34-93-225-02-00). I prefer places that are a bit quieter.
If I’m in the mood for a party—and I don’t dance much—sometimes I go to Catwalk (2-4 Ramon Trias Fargas; 34-93-221-61-61), or maybe Otto Zutz (15 C/Lincoln; 34-93-238-07-22) uptown.

Additional links for good info:

Into Chocolate? Barcelona will be one of  your favoriate places for it in the world: http://www.hotpaella.com/Featured-Spanish-Region-Barcelona.aspx

Read about Barcelona on this English-language website:
http://www.barcelona-metropolitan.com/Default.aspx

Norm gave me a surprise birthday present today, it was a place in the How To Make Fresh Mozzarella class at Zola Wine Kitchen taught by Chef “Anthony.”  There were 8 of us, we learned how to transform curds into delicious, salty, tender mozzarella.
Basically, you crumble milk curds into a bowl, add hot salted water, stir until the curds form a mass, stretch, stretch, stretch, then shape the cheese as you like. We made bite-size boconcini, logs, balls and I’ll admit, I was the nerd of the class who made a braid. We dunked the shaped cheese into an ice bath then into an olive oil and herb marinade. We then prepped caprese salads using heirloom tomatoes from the nearby Farmers’ Market and Mozzarella en Carroza, grownup grilled cheese sandwiches filled with sliced mozz, proscuitto (instead of anchovy) and basil, dipped in an egg batter and fried. I made mine without ham because I don’t eat pigs.
The class was fun. I had to quickly get over the lack of structure and formality. It was a demo, really, followed by some trials. I suppose I was expecting or would have liked the class to be more technical, with defined proportions, temperatures, etc. But everything turned out really well, I’m on the Metro home now feeling maxed out on mozz.
I recommend Chef Anthony’s classes at Zola to anyone who is interested in learning something new in a stylish, convenient location. They do make wonderful gifts, too. Thanks, Norm!