Welcome Pacha Barcelona!

Costa Este adds to its formidable catalog of clubs and restaurants the new Pacha Barcelona, ​​consolidating its leadership in quality leisure in the city . The social inauguration was held on May 28th with a big party with social and media representatives.

La Elegancia Masculina!

The fashion specialist and director of Harper's Bazaar, Eugenia de la Torriente, presented her book "Masculine Elegance" last week in Barcelona at Passage - the place to be and the perfect gift store with original items. The prologue of the book is written by none other than Giorgio Armani. Luis Sans, president of the emblematic store Santa Eulalia also collaborated in the book. A definitive guide for the perfect gentleman that delves into the world of menswear from a historical perspective. 

WHAT IS EXACTLY THE FILM & COOK FESTIVAL?

Many of you have asked me what is exactly the Film & Cook? This year was its 4th edition in Barcelona. 
It is a fusion of art and gastronomy. 
How? You have some movies, related to gastronomy and most of them are accompanied by a showcooking. The films are divided into 3 categories: competitive, exhibition and unexpected. 

COUP DE COEUR BELLEBARCELONE!

What's going in Barcelona these coming days?
1- Barcelona celebrates the 20th Manga Festival. From October 30 to November 2, Fira de Barcelona is filled with booths, displays, workshops, manga and Japanese culture related activities.

COUP DE COEUR BELLEBARCELONE!

- Today is  Expat Day at the Museu Maritim at 10 am. You can register online or get the tickets at the entrance. It is a place for the international community and you will get the info you need if you are settling down in Barcelona. Register here. 
- Don't miss the 48h Open House Bcn this weekend. 

Weekend plan: 48h Open House!

This weekend we have the 5th edition of the 48h Open House Bcn.

COUP DE COEUR BELLEBARCELONE!

- ZOCO MARKET is back at the hotel Alexandra by Hilton.

COUP DE COEUR BELLEBARCELONE!

Coup de Coeur BelleBarcelone is a section on my facebook page to let you know about the events in Barcelona. Some of you have told me you don't really check Facebook so here it is. 

Do you Yelp?

People use Yelp to find about restaurants and business locals around. 
I was invited to their party last week in the Magatzem Escola, you can read my review on this place here. 
The event took place in the interresting space they have bellow. 
The ambiance was eclectic filled with laughter and buzz. 

HOTELS AMB DO, don't miss the week of Catalan wines!

On Oct 13, the 3^rd edition of the Catalan Wines Week will start till Sunday, oct 19^th.There will be 50 sessions of wines tasting at different hotels in the city. Around 30 hotels of 5 and 4 stars will be participating. You will get sessions from 15 to 50 euros.

There will be 35 normal session, 2 of them in English ( at the Hotel Neri and the Hotel Ohla); 13 specialized session, 1 high range session and the most important one the “Macro Tast Solidari”, the solidarity tasting, where all the funds go to Obra Social de Sant Joan De Deu. You can get your tickets  for the solidarity tasting here: http://www.hotelsambdo.cat/macro-tast-solidari/
It will be on Friday, Oct 17^th at the Hilton Diagonal Mar, on Saló Ballroom, Passeig del Taulat, 262-264. Don't miss this opprtunity to learn while helping others. 

STREET FOOD IN BARCELONA!

Foodtrucks are so common in New York. They are part of the city. Check my next post for a great Food market and tips in NYC. I have grown up in Morocco and India where foodstreet is usual, we had the best chickpeas or egg sandwich on Casablanca roads, people queue for  a snail soup bowl. Isn't the best "pao Badji" on chowpatti in Mumbai, the best chaat in Chandni Chowk or the best Pad Thai in Bangkok streetfood? Here in Barcelona, this concept isn't legal and we only have Street Food or food Trucks at very specific events, during a fair or a gastronomic week; they can also be rented for personal events. We have had this year the 1st Eat Street festival, quality products prepared by renowned restaurants or new talented chefs. They have had 3 since then and the 4th one is next month in October. 
And to celebrate La Merçè, we have had the 1st Van Van Market, the nomad foodtruck market in the beautiful Parc de La Cuidadella.

Barcelona 080 fashion week!

Last week fashion designers had the opportunity to unveil coming season’s trends in the 080 Barcelona Fashion. 080 Barcelona Fashion is a  platform which aims to give visibility to independent designers and become a benchmark of design and fashion  internationally. Creativity and innovation are the concepts that inspire 080 Barcelona Fashion but the importance of the market and the need to provide a commercial outlet for fashion is present.

080 takes place in emblematic locations and features internationally acclaimed top models. This year was no exception, models such as River Viiperi, Adriana Lima or  Malena Costa walked down runways wearing the latest creations. These fashion shows took place in the newly renovated Sant Pau Hospital, located near the Sagrada Familia, a Unesco world heritage site.

Solidary Raffle with our biggest chefs! Help Ever Hurt Never!

Sunday, June 29th, a very special event is taking place at the Gran Teatre del Liceu. This year  Ferran Adria, Carmen Ruscalleda, Joan Roca and Cristian Escriba will share with us a trip to the kitchen of Barcelona in 1700. A humor and gourmet show to support and collaborate with the Casal del Infants. A Bulli show on stage and more! 
Casal del Infants is a project that help children and youngsters at risk, poverty is not hereditary and the Casal helps them through education, schools, job hunting...
You can get the tickets for this event: http://www.lafabricademenjarsolidari.org/entrades.php

Don't miss the Intense Night!

This coming Thursday, June 19th, will be the 2nd edition of Intenz Diagonal. 
A fun night where the stores will be open untill 2am, from the c/Joan Guell till c/Entença on Diagonal. 
The 2 main malls, Pedralbes Center and L'Illa and the stores and hotels in beetween will offer us a festival of fashion, gastronomy, culture and leisure.
The theme this year is the circus: Le Cirque Intenz. The official poster is by Robert Llimos, a well known catalan artist. 
There will be fun spaces during the full night  and music in many stores, discounts, raflles and small gifts will be offered. H&M and Bennetton will have DJs and special discounts too. The Hotel NH Constanza and Don Giovani as well as La Botiga restaurants will also participate in the party. 
Download the Intenz App on your IOS/Android to know all about this fun night

Magical Summer Nights!

A unique experience with the most beautiful views of our 
Barcelona in La Pedrera. 
Summer Nights offers a visit to Espai gaudi, a virtual tour of Gaudi's amazing work, Live Jazz, a drink and Gaudi's essence!
Thursday, Fridays and Saturday from June 19th to September 6th.

Entrance: Paseo de Gracia, 92

Doors open at 9.45 pm. Concerts begin at 10.15 / 10.30 pm

BCN EN LAS ALTURAS, FUN EVENT!

During spring we have many markets every weekend, they are cute and have interesting products. And many of the stalls have a web page where you can get their funky products online; in case you haven't been able to go. I went for a bit at the BCN en Las Alturas market. One of the most stylish markets in town, in the beautiful and modernist Los Tilos Mansion in Pedralbes. 

You could see a mix of excitement under a beautiful sun, accessories, clothes, mojitos and snacks!

Special Event 2 and 3rd of May, Sou D'Art!

Don't miss the Sou D'art today and tomorrow in Barcelona in the beautiful Casa Battlo, in the Salones Cocheras y Carboneras. From 11am to 11pm. Perfect for Mother's day this Sunday. You will get lots of different stuff at all prices. 
There is something for everyone. 
These are few things that caught my eyes, there are more than 70 expositors! 

Exclusive Indian Cooking at Espai Boisà!

Espai Boisà is the first "cooking school " restaurant in Barcelona. A very homy space, where you learn, enjoy and interact with others. Located in one of those cute passage, we still have in Barcelona, Espai Boisà offers cooking workshops, showcookings and can also organize events made "à mesure", depending on your choices and budget. They have various cooking classes with different chefs and in May they are starting an exotic route.

FESTA DE LA CUINA FÀCIL, SANA I DIVERTIDA. Next weekend!

The monastery of Mont Sant Benet de Bages is a former Benedictine monastery, in the comarca of Bages, Catalunya. The romanesque monastery was thoroughly restored  in the 20th century by Josep Puig i Cadafalch. 

Alícia, situated in Mt Sant benet, is a foundation with a social vocation, devoted to technological innovation in cuisine, the improvement of eating habits and the evaluation of the food heritage.
This coming long weekend, at Alicia't, comes the 2nd edition of the great Fiesta of easy cooking, health and fun!

1st Hand Made Festival!

 Check it out this weekend if you have time. All the info of workshops and activities are on: http://www.handmadefestivalbcn.com/en/home.

Handmade festival where you can purchase with some special discounts there itself.

If you are into arts and crafts, or you are looking for some different gifts and ideas, that is the place for you.  

A great choice for scrap books, perfect for gifts at weddings, birthdays and Mother's day; interesting spaces for personalised gifts; desserts goodies... Here are some of the items that caught my eyes.