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.

Deacon Brodie’s Tavern, Edinburgh

Twenty years ago, I stopped in to this tavern for lunch and decided to head back for old time’s sake. Things have been updated, but the food is still good, the service friendly, and you can certainly enjoy the atmosphere. Here’s a look at the upstairs dining area:

 

Upstairs dining room at Deacon Brodie's Tavern, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Upstairs dining room at Deacon Brodie’s Tavern, Edinburgh, Scotland.

You’ll find the menu chock full of pub favorites. The pair that I sampled were delicious and very filling, just the thing to fortify you for a visit to the castle or a long walk up and down the hills of Edinburgh. Here’s a look at the cottage pie with vegetables, crunchy slaw, and little side salad:

Cottage pie with veggies, crunch slaw, and salad at Deacon Brodie's Tavern, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Cottage pie with veggies, crunch slaw, and salad at Deacon Brodie’s Tavern, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Another pub staple is the sausage with mash. Here it is as served at Deacon Brodie’s:

Sausage and mash at Deacon Brodie's Tavern, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Sausage and mash at Deacon Brodie’s Tavern, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Naturally, there is a wide selection of beer on tap and in the bottle. Tried this one:

Hackney Gold, one of the many beers on tap and in the bottle at Deacon Brodie's Tavern, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Hackney Gold, one of the many beers on tap and in the bottle at Deacon Brodie’s Tavern, Edinburgh, Scotland.

The corner tavern is located close to Edinburgh Castle, surrounded by tourist shops. As mentioned above, you’ll enjoy a hearty meal here with good service. So give it a try if you’re in the area.

The Full English (breakfast that is)

When in Rome… as the saying goes. So, while in England, I avail myself of the “Full English Breakfast” at the cozy little hotel where I spend some nights. Of course, there are some slight variations to this, but here’s a photo of the quintessential example:

The Full English Breakfast as served at The Clarence Hotel, Windsor, England.

The Full English Breakfast as served at The Clarence Hotel, Windsor, England.

As you can see, that’s quite a plate of food. Baked beans, fried egg, grilled tomato, bacon and sausage on the plate. Then toast, marmalade, juice, and coffee on the side. All this either fuels or conspires against a productive day. Depends on what you’re about. Either way, quite a lot of food. Enjoy every meal.

Hickory Kitchen, Doylestown, PA, USA

What a great little joint for excellent BBQ! Hickory Kitchen is located in the center of Doylestown, PA, USA, a great little town with plenty to offer the visitor. Of course, you know I enjoy the food most of all, and BBQ is one of my favorite things. I stopped in here after catching a movie at the County Theater, just a few blocks away. Ordered up a brisket platter with cole slaw and baked beans. Darn good! (Sorry the photo is terrible!)

Brisket platter at Hickory Kitchen, Doylestown, PA.

Brisket platter at Hickory Kitchen, Doylestown, PA.

That brisket was very tender and smokey, absolutely delicious. I’ll definitely be back to try the chicken, pulled pork, and various other dishes. Here’s a look at part of the menu:

Menu at Hickory Kitchen, Doylestown, PA.

Menu at Hickory Kitchen, Doylestown, PA.

As mentioned above. I will definitely be back here to try a variety of other dishes. I’ll bring the Nikon and get some better photos as well. Enjoy every meal!