From SF to Barcelona - day 1 all about the food

We left San Francisco Friday at 8AM, spent a few hours in the Newark airport and then onto Barcelona.  Flying First/Business makes an incredible difference in terms of tolerating the flight - we were comfortable, able to get some sleep and the food was good.  No complaints about the trip.

We arrived in Barcelona around 9AM.  Got through customs quickly and took a cab to the hotel.  The room wasn't ready (good thing we had slept) - so we walked around and then took a free walking tour that covered the Gothic area and discussed how to take the best photos (not so sure that applies with iphone cameras - but it was interesting).  I did not know that the people of Barcelona do not consider themselves from Spain - but from Catalonia.  Learned some interesting things like how the Jewish of Barcelona were thought to have caused the Black Plague - because most of them did not get the illness during the great outbreak and they was deemed suspicious.  Now a days - we know it was probably more related to their novel practice of washing their hands prior to meals and overall better hygiene than the average person.   Once the tour was winding down - we had to run as we had reservations at a tapas restaurant called Tickets.  It was a 2 mile walk (with Dad using his iphone GPS) and was so worth making the reservations 6 weeks in advance.  Amazing, really interesting and well presented food.  The only down was that Andy was getting so tired, he had a hard time enjoying the last few items as he was struggling to stay awake.  We walked back to the hotel for a quick nap and then wandered around more in the evening until our next reservation at Espai-Sucre (technically a dessert restaurant - but also with non dessert foods).  The food here rivaled and possibly beat Tickets for both taste and intrigue.  We weren't always sure what we were eating - but it was all amazing.

We finished up there around 11PM and walked back to hotel for more needed sleep.  So far - we are loving Barcelona.  We are posting pictures to the photostream - so hopefully you can see most of them there.  I'll add a few favorites to this blog.

 tree of food - "eggs" made of pistachio ice cream with seeds - hanging strawberries dipped in yogurt glaze, red current churros with a yogurt dipping sauce.

 tomato toast with 6 year aged Jamon.

 tuna hand rolls - these were amazing (had quinoa in bottom and fish eggs on top with saffron thread)

 Amazing dessert  - cinnamon churros with chocolate dipping pudding.

 Sue at Tickets

 These aged ham legs are very popular here. Very expensive as we=ll

 Andy photographing a fountain

 lots of dragons around the area

 Tapas bar at Tickets - where they prepeared the food

 Cathedral

 first course at Espai Sucre  - cauliflower and herb soup with croutons, cheese bread, and some thing with ground sausage that was also amazing

 mint foam, Kefir Ice cream, chocolate cake with mango mousse

we don't need these - but interesting name of a pop-up store.