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Restaurante Alejandro del Toro
Our hotel, the Westin Valencia was the most secure in town as it hosted the world banking community as well as government big wigs from Spain to figure out what to do about Spain’s tanking economy. Lots of police, security agents and metal detectors greeted us the front door every time we entered. We chatted with the President of the Central Bank of Columbia…
The Ritz Carlton Hotel Arts is a great hotel. However, it’s not infinitely better than a number of hotels we’ve stayed at. This one in particular is on the Mediterranean which makes it special, especially in Europe. Personally, I would have rather stayed in the old part of town. Nevertheless, number 59 is done.
On the train.
El Bulli was ranked the number one restaurant in the world a record five times in a row before closing in 2011. It was described as “the most imaginative generator of haute cuisine on the planet.” The chef, Ferran Adrià, is credited with creating modern molecular gastronomy. His number one protégé, Paco Perez, has two restaurants, Miramar and Enoteca. The latter just happened to…
It took some effort, but we finally found this BC artifact. The Temple of Augustus in Barcelona was a Roman temple built during the Imperial period in the colony of Barcino (modern day Barcelona) as a place of worship for Emperor Augustus. It was the central building on Tàber Hill, currently in Carrer del Paradís number 10, in the city’s so-called Gothic Quarter. At…
At the Picasso Museum. At the Four Cats Cafe. Picasso had his first art exposition here when he was a teenager. He also designed their menu cover.
We had dinner at Dos Palillos, a Barcelona staple. It’s heavy in the Asian, light on the Spanish fusion. We did the tasting menu. This is probably Tom’s kind of place. I’m glad I tried it, but won’t be eating eight different kinds of sea weed and conch any time soon.
Sagrada Família. Something you have to see to believe. Gaudi began overseeing the construction in 1882. It is expected to be completed in 2026. Remnants of a Roman aqueduct La Boqueria Christopher Columbus Monument The Magic Fountain of Montjuïc
Hiked to the top of Barcelona and through Park Guell. Park Guell
When we’re talking world wide, the Barcelona Footbol Club is the biggest thing in sports hands down. We had front row seats of what was essentially a meaningless game since Real Madrid won the league a few days before. Even so, the 98,000 seat stadium was completely sold out. We watched Messi, the best player in the world and probably of all time, score…
On the bullet train to Barcelona.
The Flamenco is one intense dance. We will not be learning how to do it anytime soon.
It’s amazing to think that this restaurant was established in 1725. It is listed by the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest eatery in the world. The artist Francisco de Goya worked here as a waiter while waiting to get accepted into the “Royal Academy of Fine Arts”. Botin and its speciality of cochinillo asado (roast suckling pig, which we had) are mentioned…
Our hotel room overlooking Plaza de Santa Ana. Our Hotel Restaurants and bars in every corridor and alley Puerta del Sol Jamon and Paella Plaza Mayor The Royal Palace
Setting my watch to the King of Spain’s clock.
Tired of lugging two different lenses, I invested in a new 18-200mm, one-lense-does-all. And since I take more photographs than a Japanese tourist, I’me calling this goal complete.
A doc centering on El Bulli, the number one restaurant in the world until it closed last year. Superb.
She couldn’t be more nervous.
Today was the first National Cup game Brit’s team has ever played. It’s the tournament that decides the best gold or premiere team in the country. Since Brit’s team is a gold team, they weren’t expected to win, but they played for all they were worth and pulled out a 4-3 win over a bigger, faster and stronger team. They live to play another…
Finished Imagine. A book my Dad got me for my birthday that scientifically explains creativity. It reads much like Freakonomics did.
It was 90 degrees in Burbank, so we headed down to the beach, only to find it cold and foggy. We returned back to the valley, took a nap and watched this documentary that will make you love your family no matter how dysfunctional it is.
It was ok.
Before… After… Certainly not happy with the shutter colors, but no longer having hoarders next door is a big boost to our property value.
Los Angeles scored two restaurants in Pellegrino’s top 100 restaurants in the world. Tonight, we enjoyed Jose Andres’ The Bazaar. I won’t try to describe the experience because I would fail miserably.
An enjoyable violent drive.
Watched Brit play a brilliant game in the morning, then took in the Galaxy-Portland game in the evening. Both Donavan and Beckham scored, so it was a great game to be at.
Birthday dinner at Michelin star award winner, Asanebo. We thought we knew the best, but this was better.
And I didn’t even get top billing at the office party.
We took a break from throwing the dice.
After breakfast in bed, we headed to downtown Las Vegas to visit the newly opened Mob Museum. Loved this place. We followed this up with some horrible rolls of the dice and gave back all of our winnings from last night. But hopefully oysters and a steak at Mastro’s Ocean Club will help us roll better in the evening.
Lunch at China Polano Dinner at Jaleo Watching MLB on the TV while winning enough money at craps to cover it all. A good day indeed.
Where else did you expect us to spend Easter weekend?
Our Yearly Playlist 