Will Travel for Food

Our recent trip allowed us to experience some great food, Here are a few suggestions for London and Barcelona.

We love La Genova in London, a small Italian restaurant frequented by Tony Bennett and the late Pavarotti. Fresh home made pasta with a variety of sauces, most made by the owner/chef Rinaldo Pierini. Located at 32 North Audley Street, London. You can make reservations on their web site.

We also recommend Patterson's at 4 Mill Street, Mayfair. London. You can make reservations on Open Table or on their web site also. Great contemporary cuisine.

Our favorite this time was MAZE, a Gordon Ramsay restaurant located at 10-13 Grosvenor Square, London, with access also through the Marriott hotel. This was one of the finest meals we have ever had! The menu consisted of small plates, a tasting menu. There were 20 choices each one was so flavorful and absolutely delicious. Our waiter gave us a menu to bring home and a tour of the kitchen!

In Barcelona we found two gems. For absolutely delicious fresh seafood, try Botafumeiro. It's been there since 1975. The decor is as good as the food. This was a wonderful dining experience. As we entered we walked past the "bar" all set for more than 12 diners. Our waiter told us that this is a favorite with the locals as they can chat with each other as they enjoy the fresh catch. Botafumeiro Gran de Gracia, 81. Barcelona. www botafumeiro.es

The best tapas were to be found at Paco Meralgo, our menu was in English and had too many choices, but we really enjoyed the shrimp in garlic butter, grilled asparagus, cod salad with tomato and olive oil, steamed mussels and the tomatoe bread. I could go on and on. It was wonderful! Our waiter spoke good English and also sang while he worked, Paco Meralgo Mutaner, 171 Barcelona.

In Barcelona, of course, the best time to dine is after 8:00pm hard to adapt, but we tried!

WHERE I LEFT OFF

WHERE I LEFT OFF

Blogging from a cruise ship proved to be difficult and expensive. Our journey to ports in Italy and France was wonderful. Can’t praise the cruise line, Oceania, enough they were very attentive to everyone’s needs and often met us on the dock or pier with cold towels and ice water when it was very hot. The food in the Grand dining room was varied and good. The two other restaurants, Polo Lounge (steaks) and Toscana (Italian) were fabulous

TIP: Don’t go to the Mediterranean or Europe in August! It’s hot and crowded as that is the customary month for all of Europe to take a vacation. May or September is a better choice.

We enjoyed Sorrento and the trip to Pompeii was extraordinary. Amalfi and Positano were very beautiful and we were able to get an overview of the Cinque Terre region by boat. We anchored at Portovenere and then took a small motor launch along the rocky coastline to view the “five lands”. We spent several hours ashore at the village of Monterosso al Mare. It was fascinating to watch the young men and women diving off the rocks into the beautiful blue ocean. (see photo). The following day our visit to the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel in Rome was a once in a lifetime experience.

The following day I encountered a medical problem that required me to spend part of each day in the ship’s medical facility, so our trip ashore in Florence was cancelled. However, we picked right up after Florence and spent part of each day exploring. Portofino was a special favorite. As it is with everyone who visits, I am sure. The colorful houses look as though they are painted afresh every day, they are so pristine. (see photo)

Another favorite was Monte Carlo. Here we took a small “train like” bus that toured the city. We saw the Casino, the Royal Palace and spent time in the Cathedral where Princess Grace was married and is buried. There are gardens and parks every where, it is the most beautiful gorgeous place! We did not sail until 11 PM and so we had dinner on board looking down on the yacht harbor and city lights as night fell.

TIP: Shore excursions are expensive from the ship. Try going on your own and taking a taxi (maybe with another couple) you will see as much or more and it is les expensive.
Our final ports of Marseille and Palma Mallorca were interesting, but failed to compare with Portofino and Monte Carlo/Monaco, until we arrived and disembarked in Barcelona! We fell in love with Barcelona, BCN as it is affectionately called. Our three days in this city of artists, art and architecture was a highlight of our trip. The contrast between the old and new is amazing, and yet it all blends together. Gaudi and Picasso!

Now back at home and looking through hundreds of photos and so many paintings in my head and heart.