

ANDALUCÍA - MÁLAGA - BODEGA BAR EL PIMPI
BODEGA BAR EL PIMPI This boisterous bar, right in the historical city centre, next to the Alcazaba, is one of Malaga's most famous. El Pimpi is mentioned in every imaginable tourist guide. Despite its reputation as a tourist hotspot, this restaurant has maintained the quality of its food for which it first became famous. It is well-priced. Bodegas Bar El Pimpi is an interesting maze-like building with a series of rooms with many different styles and cultural experiences. Phot


BASQUE COUNTRYSIDE - GETARIA - KAIA-KAIPE - POST 2
I RESTAURANTE KAIA-KAIPE Michelin Plate IIO We returned to the fishing port of Getaria on the Basque Coast and revisited an old favourite, the excellent Restaurante Kaia-Kaipe. Getaria is the picture-postcard image of a Basque Country fishing village. Walking up from the car park, we approached the village. When you reach the Restaurant, you can see the famous outdoor grill, where the fish is cooked over hot coals on open wire-mesh grills. The Restaurant is divided into


MADRID - TAPAS BARS IN CALLE DE JESÚS AREA
MADRID TAPAS BARS IN THE CALLE DE JESUS AREA The Plaza de Jesús and its extension, the Calle de Jesús, is a street with many bars, mainly filled with locals, near the Prada Museum and other historic sites, and a good spot for lunch after visiting the museums, etc. On a Thursday lunchtime in February, we had a stroll to a tapas bar for drinks. CERVANTES Plaza de Jesús 7, 28012 Madrid +34 914 29 60 93 We did not eat here this time, but it is a very good cerveceria offering typi


MADRID - CASA LABRA
CASA LABRA It is said history was made at this bar on the 2nd of May 1879 with the formation of the PSOE (Spanish socialist party), and on walking in, it appears you could still be back in 1879 as nothing seems to have changed since then! It is an excellent traditional bar. It is famous for its croquetas de bacalao. Some of the best in Madrid. The tajadas de bacalao are pieces of cod deep-fried in batter until crispy. They are served with wooden cocktail sticks or eaten with


ALICANTE CITY - A FEW DAYS AROUND THE CITY
We spent a few days in Alicante City in October. Arriving late on Saturday night, we checked into our hotel and then headed to GASTROBAR DISTRIKT 41 Michelin Plate IIO Calle de Navas, 41, 03001 Alacant, Alicante +34 965 181 426 www.distrikt41.es This is an extraordinarily buzzy and busy bar/restaurant with modern décor and a great ambi e nce. It is run by two chefs originally from the Netherlands. They have a contemporary à la carte menu with a few Central European influen


LONDON - SOUTH KENSINGTON - CAMBIO DE TERCIO
CAMBIO DE TERCIO Under Abel Lusa's excellent hospitality and guidance, this restaurant has been a long-standing favourite in South Kensington for many years. It has become a standard-bearer for Iberian food in London. Most Hispanophiles consider it the best in town. On this occasion, we sat down, wrapped up on a reasonably chilly lunchtime, starting with a glass of Amontillado or Cava. Followed by, Pan cristal y Cinco Jotas Jamón Ibérico de Bellota 100% (Jabugo) Five Jotas Ib


IBIZA - SANT CARLES - KIOSKU CALA MASTELLA
KIOSKU CALA MASTELLA This beach bar on the island's northeast is a local insider tip among Ibiza's chiringuito lovers. It is sometimes unfavourably compared to the legendary fish restaurant El Bigotes, which sits to the left in the same bay. This is entirely unjustified, although it works on a different concept. Pepe Bonet and Angel Pins have created a true oasis of calm here and created honest, perfectly prepared food. They have six dishes (fresh fish, of course, hamburgers,


BASQUE COUNTRY - A DAY IN VITORIA-GASTEIZ
Vitoria-Gasteiz is the capital of the Basque Autonomous Community in northern Spain. The Gothic-style Santa María Inmaculada Cathedral features a sculpted facade and towering columns in the medieval quarter. The 17th-century Plaza de la Virgen Blanca features a monument to the 1813 Battle of Vitoria. The Church of San Miguel has a sizeable baroque altarpiece and a statue of the White Virgin, the city's patron saint. Beethoven dedicated his Opus 91, often called the " Battle


IBIZA - SANT JOSEP - RESTAURANTE ES CUCÓ
RESTAURANTE ES CUCÓ This restaurant is on the outskirts of Cala de Bou, moving inland. It is a great place to stop for a drink or for some affordable food. It is famous for its spit-roast chicken (with black pepper sauce) . Served with chips and salad. We started with a warm goat's cheese salad. It is a great, cheap meal. The chicken costs €11.50 without sauce and €14 with sauce. Along with the chicken, you will find boquerones (anchovies in oil, garlic, and vinegar), calama


IBIZA - SANTA GERTRUDIS - BAR COSTA
BAR CAN COSTA For the cheaper pocket, head to Bar Costa in Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera, a pretty, and well loved little village in the centre of the island. There are many restaurants set around the village church in this lovely spot with a vibrant hippy feel. It's a great place to live, a few hours away from the interesting little shops, nooks, and crannies. Most Sundays, there is a church procession, with locals and tourists attending the Sunday service. There are many inte







