HOTEL NIZA What Eastbourne hotels could learn from Hotel Niza would fill a telephone directory. It's got the seafront location you want and the period facade that every kiss-me-quick hotel needs. The bedrooms are fresh, airy, and stylish in an untrendy way The front rooms overlook the promenade and the stunning Playa de la Concha The view to the right takes you to Parte Vieja (old town) and the harbour. It is a lovely spot to sit and watch the world go by while enjoying a gl

ANTONIO BAR This is one of the top, more modern pintxo bars with a Restaurant in San Sebastián. It's in a not-so-busy area, a couple of blocks from the Parte Vieja (old town), but it's well worth the detour. It's a great place to visit, whether alone or with friends, to socialise in a casual atmosphere. Many locals stop by to grab a bite and chat with friends before going home. They also serve one of the town's best tortillas (Spanish omelettes). They have ultra-caramelised o

RESTAURANT CAÑABOTA One Michelin Star We returned to Sevilla, having not been there for a few years due to Covid and many cancelled flights. On the first full day, we met up with our friend, Shawn Hennessey, who has run Sevilla Tapas in Sevilla for many years. You can find her by clicking here: Sevilla Tapas . We started with sherry at Manolo Cateca, This old favourite of Shawn and ours is always worth a drop by. We then headed off to lunch at Cañabota. This restaurant spe

RESTAURANTE O LUSITANO Jonathon Lipsin adds his second trip across the border into Portugal and Porto. I am writing this because I promised the woman who presides over this place that I would. A few weeks ago, according to my Portuguese sources, she asked about it, so if I ever wanted to go back, I had better do it, and I did! There is a special restaurant I would like to tell you about in Matosinhos, Porto, near the water and the fish market. On this street with the beaches

EL CELLER DE CAN ROCA Three Michelin Stars The second part of the 2009 trip to Catalunya was to the Roca brothers ' restaurant in Girona, which has been ranked number one in the world on a few occasions. El Celler de Can Roca is a restaurant in Girona, Catalonia, Spain, which was opened in 1986 by the Roca brothers, Joan, Josep, and Jordi. It was first located next to their parents' restaurant Can Roca, but moved to its current purpose-built building in 2007. It has been

RESTAURANTE CASA SALVADOR We recently returned to Casa Salvador and found it as good as ever. It is located in the La Albufera rice-growing area of Valéncia, in the estuary of Cullera, a freshwater lagoon that flows into the sea. It is not easy to find. Make your way over the bridge in Cullera along the back road (CV-605) > right at Via pista > left at Poligon num 28 Estany > right onto Avenida de Estany) If you feel lost, don’t turn back; it’s worth it in the end! Two ind

JOSÉ PIZARRO @ The Royal Academy of Arts This is José Pizarro’s first foray into central London, amazingly ten years after he opened the fabulous José Tapas Bar on Bermondsey Street in South London. He has taken over the Dorfman Senate Room on the first floor of Burlington Gardens. This beautiful, light, and airy space is a sit-down restaurant with plenty of bar-top dining options. He has opened the Poster Bar downstairs, which is more of a café/tapas bar. It is best to pop

ANDANZA Andanza (luck or fate in Spanish) comes from the same people behind The Rose Gastropub opposite. In its previous incarnation, the restaurant was a William Hill betting shop for over 30 years, so as everyone says to the owners, “I hope your gamble has paid off!” The chef worked formally in Basque restaurant Lurra, and the team carver was from restaurant Brindisa, so they have some of the best food. On a sunny Tuesday evening, we went when most of the customers were eat

Pamplona/Iruña is the historical capital of Navarre/Navara in the former Kingdom of Navarre. It was a medieval Basque kingdom until Castile annexed it in the 16th century. The city is famous worldwide for the running of the bulls during the San Fermín festival, which is held annually from July 6 to 14. This festival was brought to literary renown with the 1926 publication of Ernest Hemingway's novel, The Sun Also Rises. We stayed at, CASA OTANO BAR RESTAURANTE Bajo, Calle de

12 TAPAS Michelin Bib Gourmand The menu at this great little spot, recently awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand, is not very extensive, but the quality is outstanding. The tapas here are reinterpretations of traditional dishes like migas, aioli shrimp montadito, and salmorejo, but with a thoroughly modern touch. We had the 8-course Menú Degustacíon at €35 per person. Foie al Palo Cortado sobre torta de anís y naranja amarga (foie with Palo Cortado on aniseed and bitter orange