Author: azahar

Soho Benita

azaharLeave a comment

Have I told you lately how much I love my new barrio? I’m actually situated between two barrios. On the Plaza Alfalfa side there are supermarkets, bakeries, fish markets, a gourmet butcher, florist, “euro shop”, convenience store, pharmacy, fruit & veg shop, a “calentaria” for churros, and great non-touristy tapas bars. On the plaza Encarnación side there’s the fabulous farmer’s market under “the Setas”.

And in between the two plazas are some of the most interesting little boutiques in town.

I’m a great admirer of the entrepreneurial spirit and so I was particularly pleased when I came across Soho Benita on Twitter the other day and saw that the shop owners in my barrio – on calles Pérez Galdós and Don Alonso el Sabio – have formed a collective venture to help promote their shops and the area.  According to Penélope from Le Voilà, the basic idea is to create a neighbourhood feel with its own identity in these streets. Through collective activities they hope to create a shopping & cultural alternative to traditional commerical trade.

The first obvious difference I saw when I went out yesterday was that the Soho Benita shops all had pretty white pointsetta arrangements in their windows and doorways, a visual continuity that created a nice community feeling. I also like how they are using social media, specifically Twitter, to connect with the public.


If you are looking for unique style and great personal service check out the new Soho Benita area. Some of the shops are shown in the collage above, and below is a list with links to blogs and websites.

III Feria de Gastronomia & Artesania

azaharLeave a comment

For the next two weekends you can visit the 3rd Gastronomy & Craft Fair, held at the Patio de la Diputación.

Patio de la Diputación de Sevilla
Avda Menéndez y Pelayo, 32
9 – 11 / 16 – 18 December
Fridays: 12.00 – 15.00 / 16.00 – 20.00
Saturday & Sunday: 11.00 – 14.00 / 16.00 – 20.00
Free admission

Other Christmas Markets…

6-8 diciembre. Hand-made pastry and sweets made by cloistered nuns on sale in the Real Alcázar 10.00 – 19.00.

Until the 6 of January. Nativity scenes fair.  Avenida de la Constitución, next to the Cathedral. Weekdays: 11.00-19.00. Weekends & holidays: 11.00-15.00 / 16.00-21.00

13 to 23 de December. Food and crafts fair in Plaza Altzano and calle San Jacinto, Triana.

15 December – 5 January. Christmas Craft Market in the Plaza Nueva.  11.00-15.00 / 17.00-21.00 (closed evenings of 24 & 31 December and all day 25 December & 1 January).

 

 

 

Recyle Bin Graffiti Competition

azahar1 Comment


Yesterday afternoon I came across a group of graffiti artists participating in a competition, painting glass recycle bins (concurso contenedor vidrio). This has been going on for the last few years. Or at least, I’ve noticed the painted bins around town before but have never seen the annual contest in progress until now.

I was pleased to see a lot more stylishness to the painting this year, rather than the usual graffiti mishmash of wonky letters and weird images. Most artists had a picture of what they were painting on top of their bin, some showing how they worked out the dimensions, and it was quite impressive to see how they turned a flat painting into a three-dimensional one.

A couple of my favourites were the flamenco dancer and the “Eye of Cthulhu” one below, which of course reminded me of my friend raincoaster, so I made a special collage of it just for her.

[click on images to enlarge]

If anyone knows who won the competition let me know!
List of participants

Pan con Chocolate

azahar2 Comments

Pan con Chocolate – Panadería y Dulces Artesanos

Pan con Chocolate is a delightful new bakery that opened this week right just off the Plaza Encarnación. It specialises in organic products with a good range of breads, cakes and pies, and savoury pastries. You can also find preserves, oils and vinegars, free range eggs and artesanal cheeses. Cakes and breads can also be made to order, including the impressive six-kilo loaves that are hanging on the wall. Owner Fran is still feeling his way in terms of products and opening hours, but it’s a charming little shop and the service is very welcoming and personal.

José Luis Luque, 8
(next to Plaza Encarnación)
Tel 638 308 903
Open: 9.30 – 2.30 / 17.00 – 21.00 Monday – Saturday
(open Sundays during December)