MEMORIAL DAY

This really got to me the other day, and today is Memorial Day.

Anyways, the farmer's market is also open today and it's prime time for strawberries:

CAL PEP

Cal Pep was my favorite meal in Barcelona. It's very simple, just a long counter and a bunch of stools in an old section of town near the water. Everything was fresh and prepared in a very normal way, but perfectly. I was lucky to get to eat with Keith, Bill and Christof who all wanted to try everything on the menu. I think we did. At the end of the meal people ordered digestifs, I ordered a sherry and the bartender laughed and said I should have a grappa. I thought the Spanish like to drink sherry at the end of a meal, am I wrong?

Padrone Peppers

Clams with chunks of ham

Squid

Tuna Tartar

Tortilla with garlic aoili

Sausage and beans

Shrimp (gambas a la plancha)

Monkfish

Afterwards we went to Vila Vini Teca and bought this wine (which we had with lunch) and some sherry, to take home.

A LITTLE LESS THAN A THIRD

I used to live with two other dudes. We were broke and would order two dishes from the Chinese place and share them between the three of us. One of the guys would take his portion, which always turned out to be "a little less than a third" It would drive me crazy, because by the time it got to me, there was more than a third left... but not that much more, I didn't want to be piggish and take it all, but leaving just a tiny bit seemed rude too. Mac, Jim and I met at Paco Meralgo for some sharing.

Snails

Padrone peppers
clams

At Primavera tonight I saw two bands I didn't know much about: Condo F*cks and Major Lazer, they both had great energy and had the crowds dancing.

PRIMAVERA

Two of my favorite bands of all time played at the Primavera Festival last night. Superchunk above and Pavement below. We were hanging out literally backstage (behind the actual stage) It was weird to see the images projected backwards.

BAR MUT

Joe, Bill and I rented scooters and cruised around Barcelona before meeting up with Mac, Ira and Georgia at Bar Mut. This place is beautiful. It´s weird to think about all these different little sea creatures crawling around in the ocean, and then eating them all and having them in your stomach. These barnacles are really expensive because divers have to harvest them by hand in dangerous waters. To eat them you have to break through this fabric-like material that surrounds the meat and then suck it out of what seems like a turtle´s paw.
steamed clams
razor clams

Shrimp

Octopus

TAPAC 24

Bill and I met up with Jon, Mac, Jim and Abbey for dinner at Tapac 24. The weather is nice and we were able to sit outside. Mac speaks Spanish pretty well so he did a great job of ordering, here are some highlights: Tiny fried fish

Rice in squid ink.

Croquetas with ham

PINOTXO

We landed and headed straight for the boqueria for lunch at Pinotxo.
cuttlefish
Bunny ribs
These clams were made on the grill by steaming them under a plastic containter.


shrimp

Bacalao

MARY'S FISH CAMP

I've never really like Mary's Fish Camp. There is something sort of fake casual about it... and I always feel like they think they are cooler than me... and I've also thought the food was soso. Hoping to have something very simple, I gave it another chance today. It was pretty disappointing, this had a gross, onion-y green sauce that was salty. You couldn't even taste the salmon, and it looks disgusting.

To make up for it, I went over to Lifethyme Natural Market for a strawberry-coconut shake before getting on a plane for Barcelona where I plan to eat like a maniac.

GREAT N.Y. NOODLETOWN

Great NY Noodle Town is so cheap I can't believe they can stay in business. Vicki took me here a few months ago and I've been looking forward to going back. I went alone and was seated at a big table with a few other solo dining guys. After a long time of silence, one of them said "I guess we're at the singles table" and then they all joked about how it was nice to be away from their wives for the night. Ginger Scallion noodles, roast pork, and a Coke, was $11.

MAIALINO

Maialino is another great place in Gramercy Park to go for lunch (I bet dinner is a little nuts). Kat and I had the Fried Cod with Artichokes and arugula, beans with escarole, minestrone soup, and salad with snap peas and pine nuts.

SMELLS

Each of my friend’s houses have a distinct smell. Not bad, just unique. I was always afraid that my house smelled weird. After being away for a few weeks, I came home recently and noticed the smell that my apartment has, I think. (I’m not sure if we can detect our own smells) I don’t think it’s bad, just unique. Girlfriends all have their own smells also. Sometimes I would like to smell their sweaters if they were away. I’ve been told that I have my own unique smell too, it used to bother me, but now I like it. This shirt smells good. I don't really want to wash it, but I should.

THE SMITHS

Drove up the Hudson last night for dinner at Red Hat. Paula told me she directed this video for the Smiths. I like when girls dance.

BAOGUETTE

Phil and I had lunch at Baoguette. Summer rolls, classic bahn mi and pork chop and egg sandwich. And they deliver! 120 Christopher Street.

Down the street, we stopped in at the new Freeman's Sporting Club and bought pants. I've made a lot of fun of the original location and swore I'd never buy anything there. It has always seemed so on the money... too up my alley, I'm the target audience: plaids, flannels, leather belts, simple, etc. It made me want to rebel. But, either I've matured or finally given in. I like it now.

BLUE RIBBON WINE BAR

If I had a Cheers, this would be it. The guys that work here run a smooth operation. They do a great job of making everyone who comes in feel welcome. Blue Ribbon Wine Bar always has interesting flights of wine to try and the food they prepare in the tiny kitchen is delicious. I met Happy for a glass of wine. We also did the Sherry tasting and had the egg toast and the manchego toast. I love this place.

GRAMERCY TAVERN-LUNCH

It's nice to be home. New York isn't too hot yet, so it's fun to leisurely ride a bike around. The farmer's market isn't in full swing yet, but it's still nice to check it out. On a nice day like today (or really any day, especially a rainy day) I love to go to Gramercy Tavern and eat lunch and read the paper. If you get the lunch special (usually a soup and sandwich), it's a great deal. Today it was homemade pastrami and fennel soup.