catalonian food

The food in Barcelona and Cadaques is out of this world

with a number of world-renowned restaurants headed by amazing chefs.

The Costa Brava region is the home of some of the best food in Europe.

(17+ restaurants with Michelin Stars | barcelona has 25+)

Compartir, opened by chefs from the iconic El Bulli, is in Cadaques.

We had a tasting menu for Ian's birthday with...

sardines w/ basil and roasted tomatoes

razor clams on a bed of seaweed

"fried" rabbit ribs w/ roasted apple foam

monk fish w/ shaved fennel

oyster "shooter"

etc... 

(he was in heaven!!)

Each day around 7:30pm in the Cadaques, we could get fresh fish 
including squid, cuttlefish, gambas (shrimp), mussels

(and lots of other stuff - we couldn't figure out what it was!).

In Barcelona, you have the insane opportunity to wander the food market 

(very near our hotel)

and we were blown away but the diversity of food

meat, fish, veggies, fruit, cheeses, sweets, spices/herbs...

The wine was also very tasty (and affordable)!

While in Barcelona, we had an opportunity to try some amazing 

wines from the region, along with some pretty impressive cava. 

Cadaques is also near the home of Martin Faixo Winery.

One afternoon, we took our scooter up to the top of the mountain
(slightly sketchy)

for a visit to their family-run winery.

Interesting wines were made, but our favourite was their cava

(very "champagne-esque")

and their rose

(perfect for a warm day in the sun).

We are a little behind on our blogging but all because we've had guests!!

xx

the mcgees

guest post | reeny does london

Thanks for an unforgettable Spanish vacation.

But as sad as it was for Ian and Sarah to go back to work, I was excited 

to be exposed to their new London lifestyle. 

I didn't go to London for the weather. With that said we'll move on...

They have a great, cozy flat. 

My feet were happy to return to it daily after loads of adventuresome walks. 

Having spent some time in London in the past, I took this time to stroll to 

secondary sights avoiding most tourist crowds.

What intrigued me most this time around was the significant architectural updates 

to historic monumental buildings and areas. 

Incorporating new with the ancient is awesome. 

A few examples... the library addition at Trinity College (Cambridge), 

the interior of the British Museum as compared to its exterior, 

the Eye, the "bullet" building and the random office building downtown 

across from St. Paul's cathedral.

Thank you Sarah and Ian for being great hosts, 

for delish traditional English breakfast, 

sharing me with extended family 

and for putting up with my tired toes.

no trip is complete without a trip to borough market

british museum

 

old & new

king's college chapel

best tour guide, ian's uncle... tristan

tristan's library - trinity college

 

 

  

Keep stock piling those umbrellas. Pain to live with but can't live without. :)

xx
reeny

catalonian heaven - cadaques

After our long weekend in Barcelona, 

we headed to Ian's aunt and uncle's family home in Cadaques.

(a few hours north of Barcelona in the Costa Brava region)

We've seen pictures, heard stories and now have seen it for ourselves.

A few days in and my mom joined us for a bit of time.

!!!!YAY!!!!

{from Reeny}
So words are supposed to describe this little, hidden, 
Spanish treasure cove on the eastern most Spanish coast...
I know I won't do it justice. But I'll give it a shot.

Think midnight blue,crystal clear water, seaglass strewn beaches, 
fantastically weathered architectural coastline, artisan alleyways, 
active historical fishing village with a contemporary heartbeat. 
Wow. Did I forget to mention lovely, friendly, picture perfect, 
yummy and thirst quenching? 

And all ours to discover every which way we could in a week!

And for us again, it was a much needed break from the madness of London.

Cadaques is also the home of Salvador Dali.

We toured his wacky and architecturally creative home in Port Lligat.

We enjoyed a day of exploring by scooter and hiked down to private coves.

The water was absolutely beautiful.

We couldn't have asked for anything better. 

We took an fab boat tour to the lighthouse and into this amazing cove.

We ended with a snorkeling session in a quiet and quaint area of Cadaques.

The food is out of this world with the freshest of the fresh seafood.

The wine was also wonderful with a little family winery, 
Martin Faixo, located at the top of the mountain.

 They also opened a wine bar and we were "regulars" on our visit.

Great cava!

We also explored the under 2e wines at the grocery and to be honest,

not bad... not bad at all...

(even mr. wine snob, Ian, was pleasantly surprised)

Between seeing my mom, the beach, the laid back Spanish lifestyle, 

the amazing food/wine and the beautiful home, 
I'd have to say that Cadaques is truly

a little piece of Spanish (Catalonian) heaven.

dali and gala's house

hiking adventure (with the help of our trusty scooter)

hiking & snorkeling adventure at the nude beach

she's here!!!

beautiful cove w/ amazing water

yep. nude.

Ian's snorkeling adventure while we fed grapes to the fish (from the boat)!

Cadaques

ursula mccannel's amazing paintings of my mother-in-law (left) and her identical twin

miss this pretty little lady already.

 

We will be back... no doubt about it.

xx 
 the mcgees