An organic market in the heart of Barcelona

Woki Organic Market

We have been always a bit reluctant to try those restaurants located in the city center which basically target tourists. But in that case, We would like to put the remark on this restaurant/market. We really like the idea of having a restaurant and an organic market in the same place, that’s why (and because the food is delicious) we placed it in our  MUST LIST.

Woki Organic Market is more than a restaurant & market. It is a space where you can eat and buy immers in an atmosphere that blends natural odors and freshness. The kitchen is open to customers, which always can see how the dishes are cooked. Different stands offering organic food to take home or buy local and seasonal products all day from 8am to 12pm.

This new spot will give you a glimpse at the Pyrenees’s farmers, with their artisan cheeses and meats as well as organic wines. All surrounded by a rustic and sustainable environment as they make use of reused objects and recycled materials in the decor.

And don’t forget to try the brunch and the pastas, our personal recommendation: Gorgonzola & pear ravioli… lovely!

Where?
www.wokimarket.com
Ronda de la Universitat, 20 (Metro: Universitats)

Calçots: Find out why people in Barcelona are so crazy about this green onion

The calçotada season has already begun and thankfully today we can find many places to taste them throughout Catalonia. It is a phenomenon that attracts crowds of people every year and we want to explain you why.

What is a Calçot and a Calçotada?
Calçotada (pronunced calsotada) is the meal based on the calçot (calsots) -variety of scallion-. It means more than just a culinary tradition. It is a popular ritual which gathers family and friends together around the table. A good excuse to meet up with family and friends in a masia (ancient rural house), in a rustic specialized restaurants or in a people’s home to spend time together. The calçots are similar in appearance to the leek, longer (15-25 cm) and with less bulbous than onions.

How to eat Calçots?
Eating calçots requires a certain skill if you don’t want to end up messy. We recommend to use the paper bibs to protect your clothes from the juices and drops of sauce. We hope you will have fun following the instructions while you eat this fantastic dish!

Calçotada season
Officially starts in the region of Valls the first Sunday of Jenuary until April.

How Calçots are cooked?
They are prepared in a rustic manner.  The most popular way to cook calçots is to grill them in a barbecue. Usually calçots are grilled over hot coals and eaten with a special sauce (salvitxada or romesco) after removing the black outer layers to reveal the sweet white inner stalk.

Origin
The region of Valls, in Tarragona, is known as the capital of the calçot. Calçotades have been celebrated in Valls for more than hundred years since the end of the 19th century. From 1995 granted the denomination of quality ‘Calçot de Valls’. The geographical area of this denomination includes the regions of Alt Camp, Baix Camp, Tarragonés and Baix Penedés.

Where to eat a Calçotada?
During the season, many restaurants in Barcelona offer grilled dishes that include calçots in their menus. Here are our suggestions:

CUINES SANTA CATERINA www.grupotragaluz.com
Avinguda de Francesc Cambó, 16 (Metro: Jaume I)

TAVERNA EL GLOP  www.tavernaelglop.com
Carrer de Sant Lluís, 24 (Metro: Joanic, Fontana)

L’ERMITA DE BURGUÉS www.restauranteermitadeburgues.com
Carretera Gavà a Begues, km 4,600 – bajo
08850 GAVÀ (Barcelona)
Note: This restaurant is located 15 minutes away from Barcelona in a natural landscape

Barcelona’s Coolest Hypster Hostels

Where the coolest people stay when they travel? Our last week goal was to find the answer and discover the coolest hypster hostel in Barcelona. We knocked the hostel’s door and we were welcomed to discover the hostel’s atmosphere and facilities.

We have choosen three for our friends. Casa Gracia, Generator hostel and Tailor’s hostel all combine in equal measure what we consider a must in a hostel: good atmosphere, retro-chic amenities and security at a very good price.

Art, simplicity, comfort, everyday luxury, modernist, retro-chic amenities and creative design define these bastions of cool.

If  you are thinking of travelling to Barcelona and you are one of those who likes new experiences when travelling and knowing cool people, you would love this options we have choosen for you.  The hostel it’s the last accomodation experience. Live the mix of fun, creativity, cosmopolitan atmosphere and special feelings that this hostels offer you.‪

Casa Gracia

Your casa away from home! – Private rooms from 69€ | Beds from 15€
Passeig de Gràcia, 116 | http://casagraciabcn.com

From the street, the entrance remains unnoticed and is only recognized by a discreet engraved. Very well located at the end of Paseo de Gracia, in an old building that was a geriatric in the past.

Despite of the fact that I would be delighted hosting my close friends when they come to visit Barcelona,  my 50m2 house holds back my goodwill. Luckly I have discovered this friendly and cool accomodation where the visitors will feel like home.

It combines chic style with high ceilings and keeps the tiles of the old building.

Guests came from around the world. Every night organize parties and dinners like ‘flamenco night’ or ‘paella dinner’, which is interesting if you are open to meet new people during your trip.

Generator Barcelona

Much, much more than a hostel. It’s a hotel too –  Hotel rooms from 49€ | Hostel rooms from 10€
Carrer de Còrsega, 377 | http://generatorhostels.com

The drap art, modern and cheerful atmosphere invites you to stay in. You will feel the atraction to discover what is going on there and be part of it. You can notice since the very first moment you check in that you’re in hipsterdom. Even when you’re on the street and you see the hostel from outside: local people having a coffee with their computers in the coffee area.

Great hostel rooms with outlandish interiors and stunning city views from the balcony. The penthouse suite is set up with it’s own kitchen and living room area so you can have your own space as and when you want it – Double w/sofa bed from 250€-

Very well located in the heart of Gracia neighborhood. 3 minutes walking from Paseo de Gracia.

Tailor’s hostel

Designed as a 1930’s tailor shop – Beds from 10€
Carrer de Sepúlveda 146 | www.tailorshostel.com

Designed as a 1930’s tailor shop, it features vintage décor and wooden furnishings. Dorm rooms include individual lockers and each bed has its own light and plug. Bathrooms are shared and bed linen is included.

Tailor’s Hostel features a guest lounge area and a games room with table football and darts. There are free walking and bike tours every day and tourist information can be provided. Located 10 minutes Plaza Catalunya and Las Ramblas. Tailor’s Hostel offers air-conditioned dorm rooms, free Wi-Fi, a fully equipped kitchen and a terrace.

GET IT FOR FREE!

WIN OUR EXCLUSIVE BEER-TOTE BAG

 

Check out our Facebook fan page here or you’ll regret it!

*You have until next Monday 23/12/2013

GOOD LUCK!!

The best places to eat in Barcelona on a budget

EATING IN BARCELONA FOR UNDER 11 €

Eating on a budget in Barcelona does not mean putting quality aside.In Barcelona, great gastronomy is all around, you can find affordable weekly menus from Monday to Friday and have nothing to envy from the more expensive restaurants. In Barcelona, quality definitively doesn’t have to go with price.

During weekends, there are other equally attractive and affordable options, it’s time to go for tapas or brunch. Below are some places that we think you will really enjoy. Bon appetite!

Menu from Monday to Friday

BALTHAZAR
c/ Rosselló, 189 (Metro: L3-L5-Diagonal, Hospital Clínic)
9,4 € starter + main course + dessert + drink (+ coffee 10,95€)
www.grupandilana.com

LA POLPA
c/Enrique Granados, 69 (Metro: L3-L5-Diagonal, Hospital Clínic)
9,4 € starter + main course + dessert + drink (+ coffee 10,95€)
www.grupandilana.com

OUT OF CHINA
c/ Muntaner, 100 (Metro: Hospital Clínic)
10,70 € starter + main course + dessert + drink (coffee no included)
www.outofchinabarcelona.com

GUT
c/Perill, 13 (Metro: Verdaguer, L3-L5-Diagonal)
11 € starter + main course + dessert + drink (coffee no included)
www.restaurantgut.com

Brunch weekend

CUP & CAKE
c/ Enric Granados, 145 (Metro: Diagonal)
www.cupcakesbarcelona.com

CARAVELLE
c/ Pintor Fortuny, 31 (Metro: Liceu, Sant Antoni, Universitat)
https://www.facebook.com/CaravelleBCN

PETITBO
Passeig Sant joan, 82 (Metro: Girona, Tetuan, Verdaguer)
http://www.granjapetitbo.com

Dinner

CANDANCHÚ
Tapas & beers
Plaza de Vila de Gracia, 9 (Metro: Fontana, Diagonal)
On the map

TIME LINE
Sandwiches & drinks
c/ Providencia, 3 (Metro: Lesseps, Fontana)
www.timelinebar.com

CARMELITAS
Spanish food
c/ Doctor Dou, 1 (Metro: Liceu)
http://carmelitas.biz/

Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Barcelona 2013 – 2014

Everything you need to know for New Year’s Eve in Barcelona: traditions, exhibitions & parties

Despite being the very last day of the year, December 31st  is a working day in Barcelona, because of this the city is even more bustling. All shops are open as normal. The last day of the year is squeezed to have everything ready before midnight.

Traditions: twelve grapes of luck, red underwear, seafood and cava

All around Spain we eat 12 grapes following the rhythm of the last 12 ‘chimes of the bells’ of the year as a sign of the good luck for the New Year. We all synchronize the eating with our favorite TV channel so we don’t get lost when eating the grapes. After that, we toast with cava and give everyone hugs to welcome in the New Year.

It is also a tradition for men and women to wear red underwear. The New Years Eve dinner is celebrated at home with family or friends and it lasts till 1 or 2 am celebrating the entry into the New Year together. Catalans love to meet at home and cook a hearty dinner -which will always include seafood-.

Planning your New Year’s Eve in Barcelona

Before midnight

SPECIAL DINNER

If you don’t have the opportunity to diner in home, most restaurants offer special menus for this day. Reservation is required though the menu is usually more expensive than usual.

MONTJUÏC FOUNTAIN 11.30pm – 00.15am

This will be the first year that Barcelona will start celebrating New Year’s Eve with a huge street party held at Maria Cristina Avenue in front of the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc. The celebrations will last from 23:30 to 00:15. There will be screens on both sides of the venue where an image of a clock will be projected.

After midnight

The metro runs all night, so that there won’t be any inconvenience for you going out. There are many options. Most of the discos hold a special New Years event, usually with previous ticket -expensive as usual-

♦ ANTIC TEATRE –  c/Verdaguer i Callís, 12 (Metro: L4-Urquinaona)

What’s on offer:
Entrance from 0:30 to 6-7am
Advance ticket: 10€ | Venue box office: 12€
Beer 2,5€; alcohol drinks 5€; wine 2,5€; soft drinks and water 2€
http://www.anticteatre.com/

♦ RAZZMATAZZ – c/Almogávers 122 & c/Pamplona 88  (Metro:L1-Marina L4-Bogatell)

What’s on offer: (2 types of entree fee)

*Entrance after 10:30 pm
Advance tickets: 50€ + fee | Venue box office: 60€
Includes 2 drinks
+ Razz’14 T-shirt *While supplies last
+ Party Bag
+ Lucky grapes
+ Glass of champagne
22:30 a 00:15: Show plus New Year’s Countdown with the Dirty Dancing Crew.
Access to all 5 rooms after 00:30am

*Entrance after 00:01 am
Advance tickets: 40€ + fee | Venue box office: 60€
Includes 2 drinks
+ Razz’’14 T-Shirt *While supplies last
After midnight the 5 rooms open with:
RAZZCLUB: Elyella Djs + Amable & Gato
THE LOFT: Julian Jeweil + Baldo
LOLITA: Sidechains + Latzaro
POP BAR: EL DIRTY 2014
REX ROOM: New Year Trill: Sanatruja + Toner

http://www.salarazzmatazz.com

♦ APOLO c/ Nou de la Rambla 111-113 (Metro: L2,L3-Paral.lel)

What’s on offer:

NITSA CLUB

Entrance from 1:00 am
Advance ticket: 15€ | Venue box office: 18€ (9€ Plastic Club members/ free Plastic Club members or Primavera Sound 2013 card holders before 2.30 am)
Vuelven Los 90s | DJ FRA + KOSMOS + SHELBY GREY + WILLIAM DAFOE

LA [2] DE NITSA

Entrance from 1:00 am
Advance ticket: 9€ | Venue box office: 10€ (free Plastic Club members or Primavera Sound 2013 card holders before 2.30 am)
[2] Allstars | DJ COCO + MËTHER & ZACKER + PEGATAS + GRAHAM + FERDIYEI + INDIECABREADO DJ

https://www.sala-apolo.com/en/events-tickets/_p:3/

NOTE: Check out for more New Year’s Eve parties: http://www.nitbcn.com

Have fun & be safe! Happy 2014!

Best Christmas gift ideas: save time and money

Year after year the same dilemma: what to give to my loved ones? Stop the nightmare before Christmas. Don’t waste you time and beat the crowds. We have chosen some ideas to inspire you and help you to success for less than 50€: pop Corn machine, hanging gardens, illustrations, necklaces, bracelets, scarfs or purse, paper mache bird…

Here’s the full roster of our ideas for Christmas 2013:

FOR DECO & GADGET LOVERS
What? Hanging gardens
These plant pots are made of ceramics or crystal. You can hang on the wall or over a table. They give a very unique effect.
Find it here: La-a shop

FOR FOOD ADDICTS
What? Pop Corn Palomitas Lékué.

A new concept to make popcorn in the microwave. Ideal for film’s weekend days. Cook amazing steaming popcorn at home!
Find it here: Gadgets & Cuina
FOR ARTISTS
What?  tote bags, illustrations, poster of your favourite city
Find it here: miredondemire shop

FOR CREATIVES
What? paper mache bird
Do it yourself: Step 1 (Watch video how to make paper mache paste) + Step 2  make your own bird!

FOR FASHION
What? Necklace, bracelet, scarf or purse
Vintage aesthetic, original, special and unique made with old materials, from the 40s to 80s. Accessories between naive, romantic, casual and modern. Limited edition.
Where? Après Ski