Bar Tomas and Major de Gracia: nice place to go in Barcelona.
“He who stands for nothing will fall for anything.”Alexander Hamilton
“He who stands for nothing will fall for anything.”Alexander Hamilton
Patatas Bravas is the typical Spanish tapa, it consist of
white potatoes cut into 2cm irregular shape deep fried and served with a spicy
sauce. You have it at any time of the day with a chilled beer, a glass of wine
or some vermouth.
I love Bravas, and the Bravas of Tomas are really the best
in the world. Even though they are so famous, some of you may be skeptical and think it is
overrated and over discussed. But if in Barcelona you have to try the Bravas of
Tomas, it is an institution like visiting the park Guell or Las Ramblas.
The fried potatoes are covered with a silky aioli and piquant oil, the combination is a match made in heaven! The local itself is a very basic looking bar with a service that you may find rude at times, but that is the full charm of Bar Tomas. They will serve you their potatoes and drinks fast and sometimes even just throw them on your table, but all the waiters are still great, that's the style! It is always crowded and you will find a vast variety of people from all ages, background and nationalities.
The fried potatoes are covered with a silky aioli and piquant oil, the combination is a match made in heaven! The local itself is a very basic looking bar with a service that you may find rude at times, but that is the full charm of Bar Tomas. They will serve you their potatoes and drinks fast and sometimes even just throw them on your table, but all the waiters are still great, that's the style! It is always crowded and you will find a vast variety of people from all ages, background and nationalities.
Walking around Major de Gracia, where Bar Tomas is, can be
quite fascinating.
Part of the street is pedestrian only, it is filled with
cute little shops and restaurants.
Just opposite Bar Tomas you have the San Marco café with
their big variety of teas and cafés. You could digest your bravas with a warm
cup of tea. San Marco is a very Vienne looking café with its high ceiling, art
work ... It has huge windows so you could just sit there and observe people
out, or take your moleskin and write or draw in it. It is a very relaxing place
where you could sit and spend some time getting some work done.
Around the corner you have the famous Foix De Sarria where
you get the most exquisite pastries. The late J.V. Foix
(1893-1987), son of the store's founders, was one of the great Catalan poets of
the 20th century, a key player in keeping the Catalan language alive during the
40-year Franco regime. The pastry shop of Major de Sarria is the birthplace of
the poet. You will find a bronze plaque
outside with one of his most memorable verse translated as: " "Every
love is latent in the other love/every language is the juice of a common
tongue/every country touches the fatherland of all/every faith will be the
lifeblood of a higher faith." You also a Foix de Sarria on Plaça Sarria, where you will also find the big Mercat de sarria...
Have fun!
Have fun!
