I had some business out at the Cartuja this morning and was surprised to discover on my way home that there are actually some very lovely spots out there (besides the monastery). It also helped that it was a beautiful blue sunshiny day…
One of the perks of having run the Sevilla Tapas blog for almost five years now is that I occasionally get invitations to interesting (usually food-related) events. Yesterday I was invited to Restaurante Alcuza by gastronomy photographer Manolo Manosalbas, to preview their “Iberian Pork Days” menu, which will be available to the public starting today until March 3rd. Everything from starters to dessert featured cerdo Ibérico de bellota, the best of the best, made from Sierra Mayor’s acorn-fed free-range Pata Negra pigs.
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I have to admit that I wasn’t crazy about the ice-cream, but everything else was sensational and was perfectly accompanied by wines from Bodegas Torres. After six tapas I was quite happily stuffed! I was also glad to have a chance to revisit Alcuza as I had first gone there almost two years ago but hadn’t been back. Question of too many tapas bars, too little time and €€€. But after what I sampled yesterday I will definitley be going again soon, and I recommend you drop in to try these special Iberian pork dishes created by chef Victor Gamero. The “serranito inverso” (centre photo) is the only one offered as a tapa – the rest are available as main dishes.
Restaurante Alcuza
Campamento 29
Tel. 954 542 477
Open: 13.00 – midnight
Kitchen closed 16.00 – 20.30
Closed all day Sunday and Monday evening
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This morning on the way to the gym I passed through Plaza de la Pescadería and saw this colourful display – and so of course I had to find out what was going on!
Turns out it’s a one-day event being put on by Seville University architecture students, protesting the way that the four bars and restaurants in the square are taking up the public space there by continually extending their terrazas.
They are using yarn to represent “home” and homeowners occupying the public benches and the spaces between them. The students were still hard at work when I left them, so if you’re in the neighbourhood be sure to check it out.
The third edition of Sevilla en Boca de Todos (Seville on Everyone’s Lips) promises several new features such as a competition by area, the final where the tapas have to be prepared before a jury, and the first Ensaladilla Competition.
I’m assuming that, as with the two previous editions, the main competition will be to create the best tapa in Seville for less than 2.50€, but so far the neither the official website or Facebook page is giving out much information yet, not even the list of participants.
As I did last year, I will be posting photos of the tapas I manage to sample, though I think I’ll skip the ensaladilla competition…
[update: new dates announced for this competition]
Last night I went to my second Internations monthly meet up in Sevilla. They started having them here last October. Basically it’s a way for expats (really dislike that term – but what else could we use?) to meet and share their experiences of living in a foreign land, though there are also a few Spaniards in the group.
Last night’s meet up started off early (7pm) at the Horno San Buenaventura, the idea being that people could have a coffee and snack before heading out later for a tapa. Around 9 o’clock we headed over to the Plaza Alfalfa for tapitas and more chatting at La Bodega.
I actually preferred the second location because it was easier to mingle.
But as this is still a new thing here, our fearless leader Hugo (who organises the events) has been trying out different locations, times and days of the week, which I think is great. Because you’re never going to be able to please everyone. And it’s good to mix it up a bit.
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I’m not usually much of a group person, though I was a member of the AWC for awhile. This group seems a bit more lively than the AWC. First of all, it’s not just women and there are no expensive sit-down lunches to pay for. Also the Internations meets seem more casual and fun. So we shall see. I think it’s a great way to meet new people.
If you’d like to come to the next meet up in February then go to the Internations website and request an invitation. Or get in touch with me by email and I’ll send you an invitation. The more the merrier!