Sevilla Blog

Bazar Victoria

azahar4 Comments

A true Sevillano classic and landmark that has been going strong for almost 100 years, Bazar Victoria is my absolute favourite… what? Well, here is where I run into trouble. It is at once a traditional hardware store with everything from basic nuts and bolts to gardening implements, as well as being the best place to find curious kitchen gadgets. Its shop windows display an endlessly fascinating variety of objects and it’s almost impossible to walk by without stopping and being drawn inside. Once there you are advised to take a number and you can happily browse through the crazy clutter while you await your turn at the (also cluttered) magnificent wooden counter.

Excellent personal service is another thing that sets Bazar Victoria apart. Not only do Rafael, Paula and Amalio know where everything is (no small feat in itself) they attend to every customer with genuine warmth and enthusiasm. You can tell they are proud to be a part of this piece of living history.

Among the many articles on sale you can find such diverse things as wooden darning eggs, spinning tops, lamps, cooking bags, marble mortars and pestles, and prawn peelers, made of every material from silicone to brass, sheet metal, wood and enamel. But it’s also the power of nostalgia that keeps people coming back again and again, to enjoy the bustle of customers coming and going, the ringing of the cash register, and all the sounds and smells that bring back old familiar memories of home. Something almost so subtle that it could be trapped inside a cricket cage (also for sale – seriously).

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Bazar Victoria
Entrecarceles 1
Mon – Fri: 10.00 – 13.15 / 17.00 – 20.30
Sat: 10.00 – 14.00
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Pigging Out In Style At Restaurante Alcuza

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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

Occupy Plaza Pescadería

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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.

Plaza de la Pescadería

veoapartment

azahar1 Comment

As you can imagine, I’m often asked to recommend places to stay in Sevilla. Awhile ago I came up with my top 30 hotel picks, but the truth is that when I’m staying somewhere for more than a couple of days I always prefer to rent a holiday apartment. I like having the extra space and a kitchen to make coffee and snacks in. I seldom cook full meals on holiday but it’s nice (and cheaper) to have the option of not eating every meal at a restaurant. Plus most apartments come with washing machines, which is great for longer stays. But mostly I just like being able to “come home” from being out and about and having a comfy livingroom to relax in, rather than having to sit on my hotel bed.

I’ve known the gang at Sevilla 5 for years and can vouch that their apartment selection, and especially their personal service, makes them one of the best in town. I also love their newer “sister site” veoapartment. I mean, just check it out. The apartments are gorgeous, and they are all in the best neighbourhoods (barrios). But what is really impressive is how they have gone to the trouble of not only photographing the apartments, but they’ve also made stylish videos that give you a real feel of the places (much better than those dizzy-making 360º photos). They’ve also made some terrific videos of Sevilla so if you are interested in, say, staying in the Arenal, then you can take a visual stroll through the barrio before deciding whether or not it’s for you. And if you have any questions then the team is on hand to answer them in about a gazillion languages. Which is perhaps the thing I like best about this group – that they are from everywhere and I think this gives them a better insight into what people from everywhere are looking for when they come to Sevilla.

veoapartment.com