ChangeMe  
Master of Wine
Posts: 11169
 | | 03-27-2006 01:37 PM |
| Yes, I've read this thread and this thread. We want to visit some wineries and will have a car for a few days. Any good ones not far away? We are considering the following hotels: Hotel Majestic Claris Hotel Ritz Palace Hotel Arts We are leaning toward the Claris. We've heard the Barri Gotic is not a great area to stay in because it's not safe after dark. True? There is also another hotel right neat the Plaza Catalunya. Is that a great area to stay in. What are the don't miss sights? So far, we're going to go to the Picasso Museum. What are your favorite restaurants of all categories- opulent all the way down to inexpensive tapas? Thanks for any help. | | |
|
|
Edward Bowers
Palm Beach Gardens
Barrel Sampler
Posts: 2072
| | 03-27-2006 08:26 PM |
| Board-O
Stay at the Ritz on the Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes
The resturant Caelis with worldwide known prestige, offers an excellent Mediterranean cuisine with exquisite "a la carte" suggestions.
or try theDawn Petite Brasserie. Located next to the Scotch Bar, it is a good option to enjoy of delicatessen, salads, pizzas, meat, sandwiches, desserts,..
For Breakfast the garden resturant is not to be missed. Great style, service and buffet.
We liked this Ritz better than teh Ritz in Madrid. Also close to everything. | | | |
|
ChangeMe
Master of Wine
Posts: 11169
|
| 03-27-2006 08:36 PM |
| | Thanks. The Ritz, Majestic, and Claris are all within a 5 block span. The three of them look great and prices are pretty close. The Majestic and Claris are 10 euros more than the Ritz, so price is not a consideration. We've read great things about Caelis in the Ritz and Drolma in the Majestic. We actually might do two hotels, sonce we'll spend three days in Barcelona before our cruise and 2 days afterwards. | | | |
|
Edward Bowers
Palm Beach Gardens
Barrel Sampler
Posts: 2072
| | 03-28-2006 02:02 PM |
| Board-O
droped in at the other two for a look see. Ritz appearsed better in staff, style, and ambience.
The lobby bar is great. If is basically a lounge with settees, and a server who comes to the table. Great selection of Spanish wines. I commeneted re one of teh wines as to how good it was, and the server gave me a bottle - unopened. No Charge. | | | |
|
ChangeMe
Master of Wine
Posts: 11169
| | 03-28-2006 02:04 PM |
| | Did you visit any of the area's wineries? | | | |
|
Edward Bowers
Palm Beach Gardens
Barrel Sampler
Posts: 2072
| | 03-28-2006 04:54 PM |
| Spent th whole drinking wine, but no wineries. Were there to visit Gaudi and Picasso stuff, with a few side trips to Cathederals
This is the resturant
"Spanish, Fish & Seafood",Botafumeiro Moncho,"El de Gràcia, 81",Barcelona,34 93 218 4230
BotafumeiroBotafumeiro
The wine list is also available on line | | | |
|
Lee Ann
Barrel Filler
Posts: 1232
| | 03-28-2006 06:48 PM |
| | Board O - are you planning to visit the Priorat region while there? | | | |
|
ChangeMe
Master of Wine
Posts: 11169
| | 03-28-2006 06:55 PM |
| | I believe so. It appears to be not too far from Barcelona. Maybe 2 day trips. Any advice would be appreciated. | | | |
|
Landshark
Barrel Racker
Posts: 1894
| | 03-28-2006 10:25 PM |
| | I will be working there April11th to the 16 th, we are staying at the Hotel Arts, I have time to visit any wineries I let you know how it went | | | |
|
ChangeMe
Master of Wine
Posts: 11169
| | 03-29-2006 02:21 AM |
| | Thanks. Please let me know which wineries are your favorites. | | | |
|
whiner
Second star to the right, and straight on till morning
Wine Thief
Posts: 2875
| | 03-29-2006 08:57 PM |
| Board_O,
I've not visited wineries in that region. However, if I were to go, knowing nothing about the tasting procedures at any of the Priorat wineries, the one I would be most interested in is Palacios (Les, Terraces, Finca Dofi, L'Ermita)
a | | I can't listen to that much Wagner. I start getting the urge to conquer Poland.
-- Woody Allen | |
|
ChangeMe
Master of Wine
Posts: 11169
| | 03-29-2006 09:28 PM |
| | Is that 4 wineries or 1? I have a map of Spain that doesn't show Palacios. It shows two towns with Palacios in their names, but they're far from the Priorat region. I expect to spend one or two days in the Priorat region but have very little information so far as to the exact names or locations of the wineries. | | | |
|
whiner
Second star to the right, and straight on till morning
Wine Thief
Posts: 2875
| | 03-29-2006 09:47 PM |
| Quote:
Is that 4 wineries or 1? I have a map of Spain that doesn't show Palacios. It shows two towns with Palacios in their names, but they're far from the Priorat region. I expect to spend one or two days in the Priorat region but have very little information so far as to the exact names or locations of the wineries.
Hmmm... Alvaro Palacios is the maker of all three of those wines, and they are all Priorats. I assumed, since they are all owned/made by the same person, and all Priorats, that they would all be in the same place. I'm even pretty certain that Les Terraces is the second wine of Finca Dofi. I shall defer, however... Jaimetown is the Palacios expert on this board and he will, almost certainly, know.
a | | I can't listen to that much Wagner. I start getting the urge to conquer Poland.
-- Woody Allen | |
|
ChangeMe
Master of Wine
Posts: 11169
| | 03-30-2006 12:31 AM |
| | I have a hell of a lot to learn in less than 4 months. We're no considering staying in the Priorat region for the first three nights of our trip, and in Barcelona for the last two. Priorat seems to be about 80 miles from Barcelona. | | | |
|
Brent Null
Roseville, CA
Barrel Sampler
Posts: 2194
| | 04-03-2006 04:09 AM |
| | Go to the 7 Portes for dinner. Excellent paella. | | | |
|
Edward Bowers
Palm Beach Gardens
Barrel Sampler
Posts: 2072
| |
ChangeMe
Master of Wine
Posts: 11169
| | 04-03-2006 01:48 PM |
| Thanks, Brent and Edward. The restaurant looks great. Edward, the wine site only lists three Priorat wineries. I've emailed about 50 of them already. We'll be staying at an inn or hotel in Priorat for three days. We have it narrowed down to four places.
At the end of our trip, we'll be spending 2 days in Barcelona. | | | |
|
ChangeMe
Master of Wine
Posts: 11169
| | 04-26-2006 03:29 PM |
| Thanks to all for their advice. We've booked what looks like a great hotel in Priorat for three nights. Thanks largely to Edward's recommendation, we booked the Ritz in Barcelona, rather than the Claris or Majestic we had also been considering.
sharkey, did you visit any wineries in Priorat? | | | |
|
Landshark
Barrel Racker
Posts: 1894
| | 04-26-2006 03:49 PM |
| | I think you will find the Ritz is more centrally located than the other two The Ritz is the original grand hotel of Barcelona but honestly I do not know what it is like today. Have a great time, if there is anything I can do to help just pm, me | | | |
|
Edward Bowers
Palm Beach Gardens
Barrel Sampler
Posts: 2072
| | 04-26-2006 08:33 PM |
| We were at the Ritz in 2004. Everything in fine form. Great staff. They bent over backwards to please.
One of the resturants is the Garden for breakfast. Also 2 blocks away from Ramblas and main traffic circle, and tour bus area. | | | |
|