Tag: seville

Recyle Bin Graffiti Competition

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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

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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)

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

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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” →

Lab4

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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]