La Plata Tapas Bar

Managed to get through the market without buying too much. We did buy some candies and figs but decided to hold out for a restaurant where we could read the menu. Besides, Lindsay and Leo joined us and wanted to take us to a Tapas bar they discovered while on their Segway tour. Sounds like a neat place, they only serve 4 different tapas, make their own wine and have seating for about 15 people. A real taste of Las Ramblas neighborhood food and hospitality.

We found the bar, La Plata, located in a very narrow side street that looked more like we were walking into a driveway. Tiny little pub with four tables and a stand-up bar decorated in classic blue and white tile. Of course, we had to try all the tapas, since there are only 4 kinds, not going to be a big lunch.

We ordered two servings of each and a carafe of their red wine to get things started. One thing about the Spanish, they chill their red wine, just like a friend of mine back in Fairplay. For being “home-made” wine, it was pretty damn good. The tapas arrived and Dan-boy is probably going to be hungry after this adventure. First up, deep fried sardines. I know, be still my heart. Well maybe the next course will be better, although deep fried anything is pretty good.

Yum, deep fried sardines! Crunchy heads and pokey tails

Keeping with tradition, our next course was anchovies in olive oil. Now eating a little, nasty critter that was deep fried is one thing, raw and in olive oil is entirely different. I played the pass card and decided to wait for round #3.

Yeah, Homey don’t do anchovies

Didn’t have to wait long, soon we were served a delicious helping of French bread with olive oil and tomato spread along with a plate of tomatoes, onions and olives. This was very tasty!

Tomatoes, onions and olives in olive oil

Bread with olive oil and tomatoes

Last course, all mine! Sausage on French bread and it was delicious! Not because I had skimped on the sardines and anchovies, but because they were really delicious. Grabbed a second carafe of wine and enjoyed watching the locals come and go. A real fun adventure thanks to Lindsay and Leo.

Yes, Yes, Yes! Meat!!!

Linds and Leo

Me and the Mom-Bear

Finished our lunch somewhere around 3pm so time to start walking back to the apartment so we can make cocktail hour. We took a stroll on the promenade by the sea and then on to the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona. Takes about 40 minutes to walk back to our apartment but it was worth it. Really a neat area of Barcelona with tons of history and really unique buildings. Here’s a few pictures from our walk back.

Ocean-side promenade

Yup, a giant lobster.

Unique lamppost

Barcelona Cathedral

Unique building motif

Typical pedestrian area with restaurants

Chris Columbus

Gaudi influence is everywhere in Barcelona

Building with a hundred eyes

So tomorrow we’ll do some last-minute laundry, nice to have a washer and dryer, pack our things and take Uber to our airport hotel for the night. Flight Saturday is at 8am, Norwegian Airlines, so it will be an early start but that gives us time for afternoon exploring in Reykjavik. Weather has cooperated with us, although Reykjavik will be a bit cold, 27F, and windy, they have plenty of pubs to warm up in. Best of all, they speak English, yes!

Until tomorrow (pangao til a morgun- Icelandic version)