I live in Girona (university city about an hour north of Barcelona), if you like good food and great beer in a magically artistic and medieval city then I would highly recommend Girona as an alternative to Barcelona for a great weekend away for your birthday celebrations. Its smaller and I would say more chic than Barca, with a beautiful Barri Vell and a river running through it. There are loads of places to stay to suit any budget but I would recommend the apartments run by the Hotel Historic, these are in the heart of the old quarter stylish and well kept at around 90euros a night the double bedroomed apartment on Carrer de Ciutadans is a steal if you come with another couple, the owner has a good website which gives you loads of pics so you can choose an apartment that suits you. There are hundreds of restaurants and bodigas, our favourite is Zanpanzar a Basque restaurant where the best dish is Galtas (beef cheeks with foi gras) and El Cercle bar which has lots of tiny rooms, vaulted ceilings and live music. Although we do frequent two of the three Irish pubs, Cafe Irlandes and Excaliber, in the old town just by way of soaking up a bit of old home town culture every now and again. By the way I found your site as I was searching for beer tasting notes as I am doing some marketing for a great new beer shop that has just opened in the heart of Girona, and with your permission am going to use your comments about the Alhambra Reserva and monkfish. Hasta luego
Great report, lucky guy! It’d be the ultime step up to finish next year’s at El Bulli – if you can get on the list!! (I saw in the Spanish press recently, Adrià is thinking of doing a lottery-style system to distribute the seats!). Going back to Barcelona, too, though (and not to belittle Anne-Marie’s comments about Girona, either) there are some spawns of El bulli in Barcelona, too – Comerç24 (google it) is his brother’s place in downtown Barcelona, and there are 4 michelin places, too. Mind, you if you’re in London (or closer) I guess you’re equally spoilt for choice! Cheers!
November 7th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Dear Gary
I live in Girona (university city about an hour north of Barcelona), if you like good food and great beer in a magically artistic and medieval city then I would highly recommend Girona as an alternative to Barcelona for a great weekend away for your birthday celebrations. Its smaller and I would say more chic than Barca, with a beautiful Barri Vell and a river running through it. There are loads of places to stay to suit any budget but I would recommend the apartments run by the Hotel Historic, these are in the heart of the old quarter stylish and well kept at around 90euros a night the double bedroomed apartment on Carrer de Ciutadans is a steal if you come with another couple, the owner has a good website which gives you loads of pics so you can choose an apartment that suits you. There are hundreds of restaurants and bodigas, our favourite is Zanpanzar a Basque restaurant where the best dish is Galtas (beef cheeks with foi gras) and El Cercle bar which has lots of tiny rooms, vaulted ceilings and live music. Although we do frequent two of the three Irish pubs, Cafe Irlandes and Excaliber, in the old town just by way of soaking up a bit of old home town culture every now and again. By the way I found your site as I was searching for beer tasting notes as I am doing some marketing for a great new beer shop that has just opened in the heart of Girona, and with your permission am going to use your comments about the Alhambra Reserva and monkfish. Hasta luego
November 9th, 2009 at 7:25 am
Great report, lucky guy! It’d be the ultime step up to finish next year’s at El Bulli – if you can get on the list!! (I saw in the Spanish press recently, Adrià is thinking of doing a lottery-style system to distribute the seats!). Going back to Barcelona, too, though (and not to belittle Anne-Marie’s comments about Girona, either) there are some spawns of El bulli in Barcelona, too – Comerç24 (google it) is his brother’s place in downtown Barcelona, and there are 4 michelin places, too. Mind, you if you’re in London (or closer) I guess you’re equally spoilt for choice! Cheers!