Hello fellow food enthusiasts! Today, let me take you on a culinary adventure unlike any other. Instead of my usual restaurant reviews, I want to share with you a delightful self-guided tour I embarked on last Saturday with a close friend. Our mission? To hop from one restaurant to another, savoring a dish and a drink at each stop. Let me regale you with the details of this splendid exploration!

Our first destination was Vermuteria La Rosa, nestled near La Caixa Forum. This charming spot is a visual feast, with its quaint bar, shelves lined with drinks, dangling garlic and peppers, and the sight of a colossal jamón being expertly sliced on the spot. We were given a choice of drinks as part of our package, with my friend opting for cava and myself for some house vermouth. To accompany our beverages, we indulged in a selection of tapas, including Russian salad and two varieties of croquetas. The food was a delectable delight, and the ambiance was lively and inviting. It’s definitely a perfect spot for a romantic evening or a casual gathering with friends.

Our next stop led us to Toque de Queda, tucked away behind La Rambla. Here, we savored a deep fried zucchini flower filled with ricotta cheese and “lagrimas de pimiento”, a sweet and tangy pepper that added a burst of flavor to the dish. It was a delightful find, both in terms of taste and the element of discovery.

For our main course, we ventured to Xalest at Concepcio by Nobis. This was a more upscale affair, set in a chic restaurant on the ground floor of an elegant hotel. We delighted in beef cheeks bathed in a beer-infused sauce, accompanied by a bed of creamy mashed potatoes, and garnished with parsnip straw chips, all harmonized with a delightful red wine. The food was elegantly simple yet bursting with exquisite flavors, and the presentation was impeccable. As an added bonus, we received some expert food photography advice from the charming Ruben, who also serves as a waiter in the restaurant.

Our final destination was Lo Divino on C/ Carme. We were warmly welcomed by the chef, Dino, and treated to a sumptuous warm orange and almond cake, served alongside refreshing orange ice cream and delicately sliced almonds. The perfect blend of textures and temperatures left us in awe, especially when paired with a glass of sweet dessert wine.

Both my friend and I were absolutely enchanted by this tour. It was a delightful mix of revisiting old favorites and discovering new culinary gems. The array of dining experiences we enjoyed that evening was truly extraordinary, ranging from bustling tapas joints to upscale dining establishments.

And with that, I bid adieu to my culinary escapades of this year. Here’s to an upcoming 2024 filled with joy, health, and of course, an abundance of delectable delights!

Cheers to that!