Descubre una Barcelona alternativa, única y diferente.

Fastvínic Restaurant, organic bocadillos

Update: this restaurant no longer exists. But we keep the post to remind it.

The Fastvínic Restaurant, situated in the centre of an office area in the Eixample district, is one of the restaurants that prepares the best bocadillos (sandwiches made with Spanish bread cut lengthwise) in Barcelona. Delicious recipes, carefully prepared by Sergi de Meià and which can be paired with excellent wines selected by the sommelier, César Cánovas.
They offer 24 varieties of wine, all of which are Catalan. I was surprised at the curious way they serve them, with a vending machine which works by inserting a card.

Of all the bocadillos I have tried, I just loved the aubergine bocadillo with cheese and tomato. AMAZING! But I have been there several times and I liked all the ones I’ve tasted.

To choose the one you fancy the most, there is a giant screen displaying all the bocadillos they offer. There are icons or colours to indicate whether the bocadillo is cold, hot or vegetarian. They also serve gluten free bocadillos.

Fastvínic is special, not only because of the wines it offers and the creativeness of its bocadillos, but because it gathers together a series of characteristics that we should expect to see in all establishments: sustainability and quality.

On the one hand, the restaurant belongs to the Slow Food movement which refers to using organic, seasonal ingredients which have been obtained locally. On the other hand, the interior design, which is the work of Alfons Tost, is based on the use of ecological materials and furniture and, among other features, it is worth mentioning that the plants have not been placed around the whole premises without a reason; they help to control the air inside. All this has led to Fastvínic being awarded the LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

The access to the toilets is downstairs, where they keep the air purification system and where there’s a room with controlled temperature which houses one of the wine cellars belonging to the Monvínic Restaurant, Fastvínic’s first cousin.

There is a peaceful atmosphere and the background music is pleasing to the ear. From Mondays to Wednesdays they play classical music and from Thursdays to Sundays, they play chill-out.

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 12h to 24h

Average price: €15.00

Address: C/ Diputació 251, 08007 Barcelona

Telephone: (34) 934.873.241

Fastvínic Restaurant website

Hotel Terrace Experience, barcelona & rooftops

Yes! I like roof-top terraces in Barcelona. I like Barcelona’s skyline from wherever I can see it, and in Barcelona there are many places where you can enjoy magnificent views as I already said in my last post, «some hotels with rooftop terraces in Barcelona«.

Until September 11th a selection of 10 emblematic hotels in the city gives you the chance to see the Barcelona skyline tasting 4 mixed drinks for only 18euros. The event is called «Hotel Terrace Experience». Choose your hotel and enjoy the views of Barcelona savouring your favourite drinks.

I enjoyed having a Hendrick’s & Nordic Mist drink in the Silken Diagonal Hotel seeing the Agbar tower from few meters. It seemed that I could touch it!

Nuts roasted on a wood stove

In one of the streets adjacent to Santa Maria del Mar, Sombrerers 23, there is a small shop that sells home-made products and which specialises in roasting nuts. The owners have been working in this trade for over a century and a half, since 1851. Its name was originally Casa Gisbert (the house of Gisbert), then they added the initials of the founder’s sons, Enric y Alfons, and later on, the words ‘mestres torradors’ (master roasters), which has remained as the definitive name and current brand name of the products sold by ‘E&A Gispert Mestres Torradors’.

It was originally a warehouse for colonial products: coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and saffron that came from the Americas, which were then sold wholesale under the brand name ‘SABOR’ (flavour). Later, it specialised in roasting nuts and coffee.

Today, although the shop has undergone minor changes, it still has the original furniture, which gives it an air of the olden days. In a glass case there is a pair of scales, which they used for weighing the nuts before and after they had been roasted and the difference in weight was then returned to the tradesman.

But in particular, the most valuable item, and responsible for giving the nuts a special flavour, is the wood stove which was used for roasting our great grandparents’ almonds. The stove has an iron cylinder, which had to be turned by hand, although about 70 years ago they bought an automatic device which makes it easier for the shop assistants. Piles of oak firewood lie next to the stove and baskets hang from the walls waiting to be filled with steaming nuts.

Hazelnuts, almonds, pistachios, walnuts repose in wicker baskets waiting to be sold. On the shelves and in corners of the shop there are other kinds of products, such as coffee and spices, which are marketed under the brand name ‘E&A Gispert mestres torradors’. The whole shop has a traditional air, which gives it a unique personality, and it’s not difficult to imagine the original employees at work.

Photos of the shop ‘E&A Gispert Mestres Torradors’.

Address: C/ Sombrerers 23, 08003 Barcelona

Display E&A Gispert Mestres Torradors in a larger map

Some hotels with rooftop terraces in Barcelona

The summer’s drawing to an end but we’ve still got time to enjoy Barcelona’s rooftop terrace bars. In an earlier post I mentioned a series of hotel rooftop terraces in Barcelona that offer a spectacular view of the city. But the list doesn’t end here… I’m now going to name a few more hotels with rooftop bars, where you can soak up some wonderful views with a drink in your hand.

I’ll start off with two terraces that opened recently and which are really worth mentioning.

‘The Top’ terrace of Gallery Hotel

It is a terrace that looks over both sides of the hotel. A hospitable and pleasant atmosphere with a small pool, sun beds, restaurant area and cocktail bar. The views show an alternative version of Barcelona but, none the less, the sights at sunset are amazing. During the summer, every day of the week ‘The Top’ terrace offers an agenda full of activities which we can consult on their website.

‘83.3’ rooftop bar of Hotel Royal Passeig de Gràcia

Curiously, this hotel stands where my old offices used to be! What memories… So mentioning it now makes me feel twice as happy. To tell you the truth the rooftop bar, which opened only recently, like the one I have just mentioned, offers marvellous views. It has a cocktail list and it specialises in mojitos.

The rooftop, rather than the terrace, of the Hotel DO

The rooftop of this hotel has been turned into a terrace with a pool and restaurant. It offers a charming view of the Plaça Reial and the Gothic district in general, where you can spot the odd bell tower standing among the old buildings.

Hotel Miramar

Hotel Miramar, standing half way up Montjuïc, gives visitors the chance to see some beautiful views of the Port of Barcelona, the cable car and the sea. It has a pool and terrace, but the views can be seen from the hotel gardens.

‘The Atic’ rooftop terrace of Hotel Pullman Barcelona Skipper

A terrace with a bar, pool and solarium with views of the open sea and the Golden Fish, by Frank Gehry, to keep you company.

Well, now you know where to find a few terraces with views of different perspectives of Barcelona. If you spend your summer in Barcelona, it’s impossible to get bored! 😉

Pequeños y entrañables hoteles de Barcelona

Barcelona posee una enorme oferta de hoteles y a veces se hace difícil seleccionar uno. Aquí os adjunto una pequeña selección de hoteles con encanto y de lujo para los que quieran viajar a Barcelona en pareja. Lo especial de la selección es que son hoteles pequeños y que poseen un número de habitaciones reducido, cosa que para mi es muy importante para conseguir una estancia más especial.

Hotel Palauet

Se trata de un hotel de lujo en un edificio modernista que tiene solamente 6 suites. Dispone de servicio de masajes y una terraza en la azotea. Está situado en una zona céntrica y excepcional.

Desde este hotel la Pedrera queda a menos de 5 minutos!

Dirección: Passeig de Gràcia 113, Barcelona

Abac Restaurant & Hotel

Este pequeño hotel boutique de 15 habitaciones se encuentra en la zona alta de la ciudad. Acogedor y tranquilo dispone de terraza, piscina, spa y un restaurante con estrellas Michelín.

Este hotel queda al lado de el tranvía azul con el que se puede subir hasta lo alto de la Avenida y observar unas bonitas vistas de la ciudad dando un paseo por la carretera de les Aigües.

Dirección: Avda. Tibidabo 1, Barcelona

Hotel Neri

Hotel que apela a los sentidos, está situado en pleno barrio Gótico, en mi plaza preferida de Barcelona: Sant Felip Neri.

Se trata de un edificio histórico que dispone de restaurante y de una tranquila terracita en lo alto desde donde se puede ver la plaza y los terrados del barrio. Solo tiene 22 habitaciones.

Adjunto un pequeño recorrido de mitos y leyendas del barrio Gótico.

Dirección: C/Sant Sever 5, Barcelona

Hotel Mercer

Este hotel, con tan solo 28 habitaciones, también se encuentra en el corazón del barrio Gótico. Dispone piscina en la azotea y un pequeño restaurante gourmet con coctelería.

Cerca de este hotel vale la pena visitar, a parte del recorrido que ya he propuesto sobre el barrio Gótico, la Plaza Sant Just y Pastor, donde se encuentra la iglesia que le da el nombre a la plaza y dos históricos palacios, Palau Requesens y Palau Moxó, del s.XIII y XVIII respectivamente.

Dirección: Calle Lledó, 7, Barcelona

Bomb shelter in the Plaça de la Revolució

During the Civil War, about 1,400 bomb shelters were built in Barcelona. The most well known, and which can be visited today after booking in advance, are the bomb shelter number 307 (refugi 307) in Poble Sec and the one in the Plaça del Diamant, in the district of Gràcia. But there is a third, unknown to most people, located in the Plaça de la Revolució, also in the district of Gràcia. The shelter can be visited free of charge and the most curious thing is that visitors have to go through the underground car park in the square to access it, after asking the cartaker for the keys.

It’s really exciting! If you decide to go, make sure they don’t give you the wrong key, which is what happened to us today. Check the key ring says ‘Llave del refugio’ (shelter key). We were really excited about opening the door but after going down four levels (it’s on the bottom floor, 4B) we had to go all the way back up again to get the right key.

Once you’ve opened the door, the light switch is on the left. However, there are two rooms in darkness so you’ll have to bring a torch if you want a clearer view of this area. There’s not much left of the bomb shelter: an L-shaped passage with a bench where the refugees used to sit and two small rooms, which might have been the infirmary. On the ceiling it’s still possible to see what’s left of what used to be the shelter’s electricity supply. There was enough electricity to light the room during the air raid, which went on for about two hours, the time the battery lasted.

Apparently the shelter used to be longer but whilst they were building the car park, part of it was destroyed.

It’s really worth a visit so you can try and listen to the echoes of bygone days. Aah, if only walls could speak!

View Civil War bomb shelter on a larger map

Bellesguard Tower

Lying on the mountainside of Collserola, not as well known but just as precious as any other of Gaudi’s works, is the Bellesguard Tower (Beautiful view in Catalan).

A magnificent small palace that reminds us of the castle where Martí l’Humà, a Catalan monarch who ruled in the 15th century, used to live during the summer months and which used to stand in the same place.

It was not until 1900 when María Sagués Molins, the widow of Jaume Figueras, asked Gaudi to redesign the neglected castle. This is the reason for its official name, Casa Figueras (the House of Figueras), although it is commonly known as the Bellesguard Tower.

Today, though it belongs to another family, the house is still private property. However, the garden gates are open to anyone who wants to peep inside. Especially this August, on Tuesdays, there are guided tours around the outside of the house and visitors are treated to a glass of cava and a concert for two violins, whilst on Thursdays, it is possible to enjoy a mojito listening to chill-out music in the background, allowing visitors to calmly contemplate the tower.

Visiting hours: Tuesday and Thursday from 18h to 21h (August).
Price: €20
Bookings: + 34 646 800 127 or [email protected]

From September there will be guided visits every day.

I’ve had the chance to visit the place once and I’ve had no doubts about making a second booking, so they can give me a detailed explanation of the house with all its nooks and crannies.

As a matter of interest, the day was extra special because the clouds occasionally let the sky through, which lit up the Bellesguard Tower like an apparition. Until the rain suddenly appeared and finally a double rainbow filled the sky, crossing the house. Spectacular.

Click here to view more photos of the Bellesguard Tower.

La Torre de Bellesguard

Menos conocida pero igual de preciada que cualquier otra obra de Gaudí, descansa en la ladera de Collserola la Torre de Bellesguard (de la Bella vista en catalán).

Se trata de un magnífico palacete que recuerda el castillo que una vez ocupó su lugar siendo la casa estival de Martí l’Humà, un monarca catalán que reinó durante el s.XV.

El castillo quedó en el olvido y dicen que fue lugar de cobijo de Serrallonga (Joan Sala i Ferrer), el bandolero más famoso de Cataluña.

Pero no fue hasta 1900 que Gaudí dio forma a este castillo abandonado encargado por María Sagués Molins, viuda de Jaume Figueras. De ahí su nombre oficial, Casa Figueras, aunque comunmente se la conozca como Torre de Bellesguard.

Gaudí, al conocer la historia del lugar, alzó esta torre como homenaje a Martí l’Humà, el último rey del antiguo linaje del «Casal de Barcelona». Y por varios rincones de la casa se pueden encontrar símbolos que recuerdan esa época de esplendor, y al mismo tiempo de decadencia.

Durante la Guerra Civil la torre albergó un orfanato, y también se construyeron refugios antiaéreos en sus sótanos. Más tarde, la adquirió el Dr. Guilera, un oncólogo que la habilitó como clínica.

Hoy en día, sigue estando en manos de la familia Guilera, pero las puertas se abren al público este Septiembre y se podrá acceder a visitas guiadas tanto por el jardín como por el interior de la torre.

Habrán dos tipos de visitas:

Itinerario completo guiado (16 euros) de una duración de hora y media (con reserva previa). La visita al interior es para un máximo de 15 personas por turno.
Visita al exterior del edificio (7 euros).

En cualquiera de los casos, se pone a disposición de los visitantes una audioguía del espacio en ocho idiomas.

Horarios:

Horario de verano (abril – octubre): de lunes a sábado, de 10 a 19:00h

Horario de invierno (noviembre – marzo): de lunes a sábado, de 10 a 15:00h

Las visitas guiadas al interior de la casa se realizan a las 11:00 (en inglés) y a las 12:00 (lunes, miércoles y viernes en castellano. Martes, jueves y sábado en catalán).

La visita exterior con audioguía es libre.

Durante el pasado agosto, y como inauguración de apertura de Bellesguard, los martes se hacía una visita exterior guiada con copa de cava y concierto a dos violines, mientras que los jueves se podía disfrutar de un mojito con chill out de fondo para contemplar sin prisas la torre.

He tenido la oportunidad de visitarla una vez y no he dudado en apuntarme a una segunda para que me expliquen con detalle la casa y sus rincones.

Mucha historia y misterio envuelve el lugar. Vale la pena descubrirlo.

Solo como curiosidad, el día que fui fue muy especial porque un cielo, a ratos despejado, iba iluminando la Torre de Bellesguard como una aparición. Hasta que nos sorprendió la lluvia y finalmente apareció un doble arcoiris que atravesó la casa. Espectacular.

Dirección: C/Bellesguard 16-20

Slow5 y los restaurantes del Grup Olivé

Desde la terraza del Restaurante Barceloneta se nos presentó el nuevo concepto del grupo Olivé; el aftework «Slow5». Slow haciendo referencia a un estilo de vida tranquilo, saludable y sostenible y el 5 haciendo referencia a los cinco restaurantes del grupo: L’Olivé, Barceloneta, Paco Meralgo, Vinya-Roel y TuseT.

Fue una velada muy agradable y entretenida, con dj y mago, en donde disfrutamos de la compañía de @terraceo y @BCNColours con las que compartimos unas buenas tapitas, vino y unos gins muy especiales de color verde.

También pudimos hacer algunas fotos del puerto que quedaron espectaluares.

Adjunto un vídeo del evento Slow5, Grup Olivé.

Más Terrazas de hoteles de Barcelona

Estamos acabando el mes de julio pero todavía nos queda tiempo para disfrutar de las terrazas de Barcelona. En un anterior post comenté una serie de terrazas de hoteles de Barcelona con unas vistas espectaculares de la ciudad. Pero la lista no se acaba aquí… A continuación nombraré algunos hoteles más con terraza en los que se puede disfrutar de buenas vistas, copa en mano.

Empezaré por dos terrazas abiertas recientemente y que vale la pena nombrar.

Terraza The Top de Gallery Hotel

Se trata de una terraza que da a ambos lados del hotel. Acogedora y agradable tiene una pequeña piscina, tumbonas para el sol, zona de restaurante y barra de cocktails. Las vistas son de una Barcelona más alternativa, pero no dejan de ser sorprendentes cuando se va el sol. Durante el verano, cada día de la semana la terraza The Top ofrece una agenda completa de actividades que podemos consultar en su web.

Terraza 83,3 de Hotel Royal Passeig de Gràcia

Curiosamente este hotel está ubicado donde yo tenía mis antiguas oficinas! Qué recuerdos… Así que me hace doble gracia nombrarlo. La verdad es que la terraza, que se ha inaugurado hace poco, igual que la anterior, tiene unas vistas espectaculares. Cuenta con carta de cócteles y su especialidad son los mojitos.

El terrado más que terraza del hotel DO

El terrado de este Hotel se ha habilitado como terraza con piscina y restaurante. Dispone de unas encantadoras vistas de la Plaça Reial y del barrio gótico en general viendo alguno que otro campanar sobresalir entre los viejos edificios.

Hotel Miramar

El Hotel Miramar, ubicado a media altura de la montaña de Montjuïc, tiene a su alcance unas preciosas vistas del puerto de Barcelona, del teleférico y del mar. Tiene piscina y terraza, pero las vistas son accesibles desde sus jardines.

Terraza The Atic del Hotel Pullman Barcelona Skipper

Terraza con bar, piscina y solarium con vistas a mar abierto y el pez dorado, obra de Frank Gehri, como compañía.

Hasta aquí algunas terrazas más con vistas a diferentes perspectivas de Barcelona. Si tu verano está en Barcelona, no puedes aburrirte! 😉