Joséphine, Barcelona (restaurant)

Located in an upscale neighborhood on Pau Claris, Joséphine delivers atmosphere from a bygone age, complete with live music, fine food, and a great bar.

Joséphine, located on Pau Claris, Barcelona, Spain.

Joséphine, located on Pau Claris, Barcelona, Spain.

Seating inside and out provides options for all. I took a seat inside for supper one evening.

Dining room at Joséphine, Barcelona, Spain.

Dining room at Joséphine, Barcelona, Spain.

Tasty and well-presented food arrives thanks to a friendly staff. I tried a special of the night, which was a tenderloin served atop hot coals with artichokes and peppers:

Tenderloin atop hot coals at Joséphine, Barcelona, Spain.

Tenderloin atop hot coals at Joséphine, Barcelona, Spain.

This dish was excellent because the coals stayed hot for quite a while, enabling me to let the meat cook to exactly my style. Of course, dessert was a must. Take a look at this chocolate cake and ice-cream:

Chocolate cake with ice cream at Joséphine, Barcelona, Spain.

Chocolate cake with ice cream at Joséphine, Barcelona, Spain.

As sometimes happens, I was too busy eating and talking to photograph the starter salads, one Caesar, one mixed, both fresh, crispy, and delicious. Had a few cocktails after the meal while enjoying a woman singer who provided entertainment. And the people watching here is another bonus. A great experience while visiting Barcelona.

Jaime Beriestain, restaurant, Barcelona, Spain

Jaime Beriestain Restaurant sports an upscale, cool vibe, with many dishes you’ll recognize, yet they have an updated flair. Here’s a look at the exterior with seating on the sidewalk:

Jaime Beriestain Restaurant, Barcelona, Spain.

Jaime Beriestain Restaurant, Barcelona, Spain.

Here’s a look at the seating inside:

Inside seating at Jaime Beriestain Restaurant, Barcelona, Spain.

Inside seating at Jaime Beriestain Restaurant, Barcelona, Spain.

The green salad you see next was bursting with flavor and the crunch of fresh vegetables:

Green salad at Jaime Beriestain, Barcelona, Spain.

Green salad at Jaime Beriestain, Barcelona, Spain.

And here’s their take on patatas bravas:

Patatas bravas at Jaime Beriestain, Barcelona, Spain.

Patatas bravas at Jaime Beriestain, Barcelona, Spain.

There were two sauces for the patatas bravas. I though the red one needed more zing. Then there was the plate of jamón iberico, which was very good indeed:

Jamón iberico at Jaime Beriestain, Barcelona, Spain.

Jamón iberico at Jaime Beriestain, Barcelona, Spain.

Service was generally detached and inattentive. I would have appreciated better service. However, the food is very creative, including the sweets that are worth tasting and maybe taking some home:

Sweets at Jaime Beriestain, Barcelona, Spain.

Sweets at Jaime Beriestain, Barcelona, Spain.

If you’re looking for a creative meal, this may be the place, if you don’t mind waiters who may be otherwise occupied.

Duchess of Cambridge (pub)

The Duchess of Cambridge is the name of a great pub across the street from Windsor Castle. I thought this might be a tourist joint, but truth be told, they serve fine food and booze in a friendly atmosphere. Hence, I dropped in for a couple of meals while in town. Started with this bowl of soup:

Mixed ver

Mixed vegetable soup at The Duchess of Cambridge, Windsor, England.

Move on to this fine dish, which was so tasty, I wish I could have eaten two platters:

Slow roasted pork belly with whole grain mustard mash at The Duchess of Cambridge, Windsor, England.

Slow roasted pork belly with whole grain mustard mash at The Duchess of Cambridge, Windsor, England.

On the healthier side, you can also have the shredded duck salad that you see next:

Shredded duck salad at The Duchess of Cambridge, Windsor, England.

Shredded duck salad at The Duchess of Cambridge, Windsor, England.

That’s a Blue Moon beer in the glass to the left. It was on tap this particular evening. Finally, you might like your pot pie style dishes, such as this one, a chicken and Windsor ham variety that was beautifully prepared and presented as such:

Chicken and Windsor Ham Pie at the Duchess of Windsor Pub, Windsor, England.

Chicken and Windsor Ham Pie at the Duchess of Windsor Pub, Windsor, England.

You might also like smoked haddock that was a special one night, that you see here:

Smoked haddock with a Blue Moon beer on the side at The Duchess of Cambridge, Windsor, England.

Smoked haddock with a Blue Moon beer on the side at The Duchess of Cambridge, Windsor, England.

Service is very good. You’ll also find friendly people working the bar where you might want to linger for a chat and a great variety of beer and whiskey. Enjoy every meal, especially when you travel.

Patisserie Valerie, Edinburgh, Scotland

Regular readers of this blog know that I enjoy pastry. Therefore, when traveling, I’m also on the lookout for the quintessential score for a sugar buzz of the highest quality. While strolling along a pedestrian thoroughfare in the heart of Edinburgh, Scotland, I happened upon Patisserie Valerie:

Patisserie Valerie, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Patisserie Valerie, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Looking at some of the offerings in the window, this is just a small sample of what you’ll see:

Pastry in the window at Patisserie Valerie, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Pastry in the window at Patisserie Valerie, Edinburgh, Scotland.

There’s plenty of goodness in this shop. You can sit inside or outside. Take your pick and enjoy.

 

Published in: on June 6, 2014 at 4:12 am  Leave a Comment  
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