Good afternoon from Barcelona. My shoot starts tomorrow and there was some last minute panic (as per usual) but now all is well and we're ready to get down.
So the other day I posted about Barcelona and now I must post and tell you- I may have fallen in love.
Barcelona for me is like someone you need to date 3 or 4 times before you really know what's up and what's special. On the surface there's charm but there's also some navigating that needs to happen but then just like that- you're smitten and that's the truth.
I've come to terms with the lack of fashion (though I made some good discoveries today- more on that later this week or next), but really for me, the number one thing to fall in love with is this- if Barcelona was a lover, you would find it extremely sexy. Because man, can it cook. And what's hotter than that?
As I've explored this city primarily on my own, the meals that I have had are nothing short of fantastic. I'm not much of a meat eater but the cured meat scene here is hot. It's absolutely delicious as is the cheese, the olives, the bread. I have sat at markets and ate magnificent grilled prawns, swimming in a sea of their own ink accompanied by perfectly grilled asparagus, with just the right amount of char and salt to accent their freshness.
I've eaten rice that coats your belly in the very best of ways, white fish served raw and with fresh basil and the most divine Spanish olive oil, grilled hake, salmon, tartar of tuna with avocado that will make you never want to eat meat again. I've eaten burratta with fish roe and olive oil and pesto you could dream about for years to come.
I have had the best cheap red wine, and beer as an accompaniment for all this fish could not be more perfect. Last night I had some incredible veal (I don't even eat veal) with tuna prepared in the Italian style that was nothing short of remarkable.
I've sat at counters and watched people and eaten some of the most incredible food of my entire life. If food is your thing, you will fall madly in love with this city. The possibilities are endless and it's hands down a beautiful experience to eat here- I love the counters in the markets most of all- where you eat amongst the locals and settle in for inexpensive and completely divine food.
As I near the end of my trip, I find myself not really wanting to leave, because I'm not sure how I will live without my two hour lunch filled with the freshest fish and anything else my heart desires. And that makes Barcelona an enviable city when it comes to all things food. I just adore eating here and can accept that this lover of a city may not be the most fashionable, but has a rawness that appeals to the senses- fantastic through and through. And a much beloved part of the culture.
Plus big thumbs up for all the beautiful dogs here- so many and they are adored by their owners and treated with much love and affection and respect. It's no wonder they are always walking the streets in a frenzied state- so much delicious food everywhere they must be exploding with sensory overload as am I. Food. Dogs. Two things I adore. After all, I have enough clothes. More than enough really.
It's a gift to be able to spend enough time in a place to discover what's amazing about it. And though the architecture and charm of medieval streets is a lovely thing, this city is all about food. I can say with all honesty I have not eaten anything bad. As a New Yorker I know to not eat in places that have pictures of the menu- and the same holds true for Barcelona- there is much to discover and it's a joy and not only is it delicious, but if you play your cards right, quite healthy in that Med way.
So with that, I start working tonight and don't stop until I get home on Saturday. Barcelona, you've really grown on me. I can overlook the tourists and the smell because you taste absolutely amazing.
Cause that's what's up this food is love kind of Wednesday in yummy Barcelona. Yours, in great meals make great memories. XO