Bar Lobo take 2

I had all intentions of doing work during my break today but instead I had lunch at Bar Lobo with Gina and soaked up the sun!! The weather was beautiful and where I was sitting at lunch it was shining right down on me, it felt great :) 

After lunch we walked around la Boqueria for a bit before heading back to school for our evening sustainability class, which we hate! After class we walked to el Born to search for a place to have dinner for Gina's birthday on Friday, 21!! It was a great evening to walk around, lots of people were out and about and the air was cool. We made a reservation for Friday night and then headed home. I'm exhausted, the sun took a lot out of me today. 

This was my second time at Bar Lobo and much more enjoyable than the last. First of all, this time I wasn't alone and second the Menu del Dia was way better then the Spanish Tomatoes I got last time! Lunch was really nice today not only because the food tasted good and the sun was out, but because Gina and I are getting a lot closer. It really became clear to me today while we were sitting at lunch and we didn't need to talk the whole time. We were fine just sitting there people watching and enjoying the weather and our wine without speaking. That is when you know someone is a good friend, when you are comfortable enough to just be, to just sit with one another and comment when you feel like it. Does that make any sense? It does to me :) 

 I may have talked about this before, but I've been eating a lot of Menu del Dias lately so I thought I would explain them. The Menu del Dia or Menu of the Day is offered between 1 and 5 (give or take) during the mid-day meal at most restaurants in Spain. It normally includes a starter, usually soup, salad or pasta, a main course with a side dish, dessert, bread and a drink --all for one price. Usually, as you can see there are a few choices for each course. Menu del Dia is the most economical way to eat in Spain.

Ensalada de Hummus de Espinaca

salad with spinach hummus

Atun a la Plancha con Guacamole y Ensalada
grilled tuna with guacamole and arugula salad

Yogur Congelado con Moras
frozen yogurt with blackberries 
We wanted the Mouse de Fresa but they were all out so they offered us frozen yogurt with blackberry Sauce, I'm glad they were out of the mouse :) This was perfect, cool, tart, and sweet.

Bar Lobo

 Cherry Tomatoes at la Boqueria

They were so bright and red they looked plastic.

By the way, Ra is still my favorite Menu del Dia. I think I have a crush on the Ensalada Ra, no one can compete with it as far as I've seen.

I cannot wait for Mom and Dad to get here next week, I just hope this volcanic ash cloud doesn't get in their way. I'll be sending them good vibes until they arrive in Barcelona!! :)

 This is the longest I've gone without seeing Mom

I wish Iris were coming too :)

Padre and I don't have very many pics together and by very many I mean none, on my computer anyways. I guess I'll make it a point to take a bunch with him while we're traveling.

Me Encanta París

I've been working on my final assignment for my creative travel writing class (I'll post it as soon as I'm done) and it's making me nostalgic for some of the places I've visited. Like Paris...

One...
Spanish Oral Presentation
Travel Memoir
Spanish Final
Take Home Final
and Foodoir away from being DONE!


it's not actually as much as it sounds :)

Saturday Lunch at Ra with Gina

 

Countdowns

8 Days until I'm done with school

9 Days until Mom and Dad Arrive- Volcano permitting 

19 Days until HOME
 

Friends and Warm Weather

Emily was here for the weekend, it was really nice to spend time with a close friend. The weather was beautiful in Barcelona so we spent a lot of time outside, walking around and sitting on the beach.

Some pics from the weekend:

My Entree at Ra 

Whole Fish with Basmati Rice and Roasted Red Pepper Garnish

Street Performers by the Port

Saturday night Emily, Gina and I went to Taller de Tapas for dinner. Emily got to try a few different things and the food was just all right. This place is sort of a "fake" tapas bar, not authentic and in every guide book, but hey, whatever. The small plates are great because we ordered a bunch and then get to sample lots of different dishes and flavors. I went here my first week in Barcelona with a few friends, the food seemed wayyyy better then, I guess I just didn't know what good tapas were yet. Ha!

Grilled Green Asparagus

Patatas Bravas
Fried Potatoes with Spicy Smoked Paprika Sauce and Garlic Mayonnaise

Fried and Crispy Artichoke Shavings

Grilled Duck with Goat Cheese and Balsamic Reduction

Pan Fried Spinach, Chickpeas and Pancetta

Pimientos de Padron

Pan Fried Wild Seasonal Mushrooms
Ugly Picture- Sorry!

Seafood Paella with Lobster

Pan con Tomate

On Sunday after seeing Emily off to the airport I went for a very long walk and run. After leaving the apartment I walked to Placa Catalunya and then ran down las ramblas through the Port and to the beach. It was beautiful and HOT. When I got to the beach I bought a water and laid on the beach under the sun for a while before walking back to Placa Catalunya and heading home. I probably should have worn some sunscreen, oops! I had so much homework I could have been doing but it was just tooo nice out and being outside made me happy!