Author: azahar

Tunas Galore!

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Sevilla has been inundated with Tunas recently, from all over Spain.

It seems there have been a few national competitions going on lately, and so Tuna sightings of late are not just of the usual youthful university students decked out in their strolling minstrel attire, hanging out at bars to make a bit of beer money and attract some attention of the female persuasion.

These days there has not only been an increase in the number of Tunas, but many of them include more mature members (university profs?) and have a much more professional look about them. I ran into one such group having tapas last Saturday while out on Tapeo Extremo II and found out they were from Málaga.

And last night while I was out on a Tapas Tour we came across a rather large group of Tunas taking up at least four tables outside a bar near the cathedral. So of course I had to ask what was going on, as they didn’t seem like the typical Sevilla Tunas – and sure enough, it turned out they were from Granada.

Then this morning I came across a rather swish looking group of Tunas coming down my street and I had to stop them and ask what was going on. They were on their way to the Facultad de Derecho for today’s competition and seemed very excited and I am sorry to say I forgot to ask them for a photo.

But here you can see last night’s group. A bit wobbly in parts as I only had my iPhone on me, but they were lovely guys and you can see how much fun they were having. I love the Tunas.

[youtube=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vizLblyxjpw”]

Tapeo Extremo II

azahar12 Comments


So this is what I did yesterday! Met up with some Twitter pals and fellow bloggers for a Tapeo Extremo, a term coined by travel writing legend and hardcore tapeo phenomenon Annie Bennett. Taking part were Fiona (Scribbler in Seville), Kate (Tales of a Brit Abroad), Kate’s friend Nicki, and Kim (Becoming Sevillana). I’ve known Fiona for quite awhile now, and Kate and Nicki had been on a tapas tour with me last summer, but it was the first time meeting Kim. Everyone knew that this was going to be pretty darn demanding and they had a lot to live up to if they were going to reach “extremo” standards. And well, the girls did good.

MY challenge was that nobody in the group ate meat, and one only tolerated fish in small amounts, so it had to be a pescatarian/vegetarian affair. Was I daunted? Hell no. Though it has to be said that the tour focused more on fish and seafood until the fourth and final tapas stop. But I’m getting ahead of myself…

Continue reading “Tapeo Extremo II” →

Norberto León Rios – Serigrafías Exquísitas

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It was more than five years ago that I first happened upon Norberto León’s tiny studio while out for tapas with my flatmate Peter and my dear friend Craig. It was a truly magical experience to come across Norberto and his helpers working away on that hot July night in 2006 and – me being nosy – popped my head inside to ask what was going on.

Since that night I’ve become pals with Norberto and we may still become biz associates one day (if I ever get my darned online store up and running!). I love his work and have had my eye on a rather large Sevilla serigraph skyline of his that I’d love to have in my living room. Well, maybe one day.

But today was a public holiday (Todos los Santos or The Day of the Dead) and by 11am I was getting a bit stir-crazy. Gym was closed, shops weren’t open, and what the hell was I going to do all day other than sit in front of the computer? So I decided to go out for a walk and do some work-related stuff, taking photos of a bar that I hope will become my latest social media client, and also a few photos of an actual client. It was a gorgeous morning – the first of November, 25º and me still wearing sandals.

And that’s when I saw Norberto sitting outside the cathedral, working away on his craft, with several items around him for sale. So we had a chat, I took this photo, got a kiss and then he told me about this video a friend of his had made about his work. I don’t think you need to understand Spanish to “get it”.

[youtube=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd1-rF5nPqM”]

Website: norler.com
Estudio: c/ Alfarería 26
Triana, Sevilla
Tel. 676 024 081

Lab4

azahar3 Comments

I’ve been looking forward to the opening of Lab4 ever since Juan Carlos García (owner of Puracepa and Albarama) first told me about his latest project a month or so ago. What I wasn’t expecting was that it would be for “members only”, which at first put me off as I dislike anything that smacks of cliquiness. And when I was told there is a 50 euro a year membership fee I thought “well, that counts me out” until Carlos explained that you actually get the fee back by using the membership card to pay your bar bill. Then Carlos took me on a tour of the place and I knew I would love being a part of it.

Located upstairs from Puracepa, directly across from City Hall in the Plaza San Francisco, Lab4 is on four levels. There are two main cocktail lounges on the first and second floors, both super chic and minimalist with spectacular views across the square. The third floor will be used to give bartending classes and can also be booked for private functions. The terraza will be open year round, weather permitting, and will serve as a smoking section as well as just a general open area to enjoy your drinks outdoors. My favourite seat is in the glassed-in balcony on the first floor – a wonderful spot with comfy sofas to sit and watch the world go by.

There’s a good selection of cocktails and an extensive list of premium spirits and liqueurs. Wine, cava and champagne are also available, as well as select beers (nothing on tap). Prices are pretty much what you’d expect, similar to upmarket hotels bars. And the service is professional and friendly.

Members can bring guests with them, up to three Monday – Thursday and up to two Friday – Sunday. Lab4 opens from 4pm to 2am.

It will be a great place for me to take Gourmet Tapas Tour clients at the end of the evening, especially in winter when the rooftop bars are mostly closed.

And I do love that first floor window seat…

[click on images to enlarge]

II Gastronomic Festival of Wines & Spirits

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The second Gastronomic Festival of the Wines and Spirits of the province of Seville will take place 1 – 9 October and aims to promote local gastronomy to the tourist industry by pairing the products of local bodegas with a selection of dishes in numerous bars and restaurants around the province.

During this week, participating restaurants will offer a choice of menus, consisting of a starter, first and second course and a dessert, paired with the Seville wines and liquors that they recommend for each dish.

This festival will coincide with the Second Exhibition of Wines, Spirits and Aniseeds of Seville being held from 7 to 9 October in the Patio of the Diputación (c/Menendez y Pelayo 32) to show the range and variety of these products, and encourage an appreciation of their important historical role in local cuisine.

 

Participating Restaurants and Hotels:
(subject to change)

  • La Alicantina- Plaza del Salvador, 8 Sevilla
  • Puerto Delicia- Muelle de las Delicias s/n Módulo Sur Sevilla
  • Al Solito Posto- Alameda de Hércules, 16 Sevilla
  • Enrique Becerra – Gamazo, 2 Sevilla
  • El 3 de Oro- Santa María La Blanca, 34 Sevilla
  • El Espigón- Bogotá 1 Sevilla.
  • Barajas 20 – Conde de Barajas, 20 Sevilla
  • Casa Robles – Álvarez Quintero, 58 Sevilla
  • Robles Placentines – Placentines, 2 Sevilla
  • Robles Laredo – Sierpes, 90 Sevilla.
  • Robles Aljarafe – Ctra. Castilleja-Bormujos Km. 2 Castilleja de la Cuesta (Sevilla)
  • La Raza – Av. Isabel La Católica, 2 Sevilla
  • La Hosteria del Prado – Plaza de San Sebastián, 1 Sevilla
  • Rest Deli – Plaza de Andalucía, 10 Montellano Sevilla
  • Pando Cuna – Cuna, 5 Sevilla
  • Pando Centro -San Eloy, 47 Sevilla
  • La Dehesa del Marqués
  • Hotel Inglaterra Plaza Nueva, 1 Sevilla
  • Taberna del Alabardero Zaragoza, 20 Sevilla
  • Restaurante Nueva Victoria Sevilla Este (Plaza de la Acogida 2)
  • Restaurante Nueva Victoria Centro c/ Torneo 85 Sevilla
  • Restaurante Nueva Victoria La Palmera (c/ Manuel Siurot 34)
  • Restaurante Nueva Victoria Aljarafe (Autovía Sevilla-Huelva km. 16. Benacazón)
  • Abaceria Reino de Taifas C/ Bécquer nº9