La pastelería Pujol-La Estrella ya tiene mesas para desayunar y merendar!

Cada vez que paso por la Pastelería Pujol-La Estrella, en la calle Nou de la Rambla, 32, a 5 minutos de La Rambla de Barcelona, no puedo dejar de recordar la película Chocolat en la que Juliette Binoche hace unos dulces que sobrepasan la pantalla.

La decoración, los espejos, la lámpara decimonónica, los botes de cristal para los caramelos...entrar en esta pastelería, que endulza Barcelona desde 1825, y encontrarte a la gente del barrio que compran su brazo de gitano los domingos, su croissant recién horneado, sus galletas de anís o las castañas de mazapán y chocolate, es algo que te transporta a algún recuerdo que todos tenemos de nuestra infancia.

Desde hace unos días, también dispone de 3 mesitas fabulosas para desayunar o merendar productos de calidad, no industriales, y hechos por una familia que lleva décadas salvando uno de los locales considerados entre las "32 tiendas emblemáticas de Barcelona que quedarán blindadas" para preservar su futuro y conservación.

Os animamos a que os paséis por aquí, un sábado o domingo por la mañana, donde encontraréis un buen café, unos croissant de los que ya no se hacen y ¡un pedacito de historia de nuestra ciudad!

The toy shop Monforte becomes a Chocolate bar

Remember the two centuries old toy shop named Monforte? As by the end of this year 2014 most of the oldest shops in the city will observe an increase of the renting premises and, furthermore, the big commercial stores around the city are a great competition for small traditional shops, the City hall has launched a plan to, at least, obly the newcomers to preserve the old structure of the shops, furniture and whatever that distinguishes its tradition.

Monforte was the oldest toy shop in Barcelona which closed doors only some months ago to re-open as a bar with traditional catalan sweets, chocolates and cakes. In a square were "chocolateries" have been an old times tradition, it's a good news to have a new one that preserves the ambience of Plaça del Pi and Petritxol street.

Brunch at Ocaña

Eventhough the weather is grey and rainny.....take a chance to enjoy the Ocaña's brunch as we are doing!
Have a nice Sunday!

Start Monday with a great breakfast!

At Escribà you'll find the best cakes in the city! A great way to start the week!
Have a nice Monday!

Fancy a hot chocolate?

Don't miss the best hot chocolate in town in Granja Viader! Founded in 1870 it's a traditional café where you can have not only hot chocolate, but also milk shakes, a good variety of cakes for breakfast or teatime, regional cheese and other catalan products. Just two minutes from the Ramblas, in Xuclà street.

Try also the chocolate milk shake named Cacaolat. It's extremely famous in the city and it was first produced here in  1931!

Ocaña: remembering an artist and a period

"José Pérez Ocaña was a painter and performance artist who lived in Barcelona during the seventies and early eighties. He was born on the 24th March 1947 in the small town of Cantillana, Seville. Ocaña fast became one of the most influential figures in the ‘Transition’ years – the post Franco boom that offered the freedom people were longing for, known here ‘La Movida’. In 1971 he moved into a flat on the Plaça Reial no 12, right next door to the site where Ocaña is now, making his mark with a flower-filled alter dedicated to the Virgen de la Asunción on his balcony. It became one of the city’s most infamous sights, as did his regular promenades down the Ramblas with fellow artist and boyfriend, Nazario, in tow. Parading up and down with fluttering fan and a floaty dress that could cheekily rise up to reveal his nether regions, Ocaña caused quite a stir." (extracted from the café website)

The café OCAÑA is named in honour of the famous José Pérez Ocaña. Completely restored, the place offers a peaceful view of the Plaça Reial and a comfortable stay surrounded by old furniture and very friendly people working. It worths for breakfast, lunch, teatime and post-dinner!

Cafè de l'Opera

One of the oldest cafes in the city, the Cafè de l'Opera was born as a “Chocolateria” (chocolate house) refurbished in the Viennese style, typical wooden walls adorned with crystal chandeliers and classical paintings. A unique collection of mirrors from this period has been conserved to the present day, as have various parts of the decoration discovered under existing paintings.

A few years later another change was made, this time into a “Café-Restaurante” known as “la Mallorquina”, because the cook was from Mallorca. As such it became one of the most elegant restaurants in the city. It was a meeting place for the aristocracy and upper classes.

It was acquired at the end of 1928 by the present owners and according to the popular taste at the time, they reformed it in a modernist style with elements of the neo-classic. The café was inaugurated at the beginning of 1929 as “Cafè de l’Òpera”.

La Rambla, 74
08002 BARCELONA
Timetable: 08:30h - 02:30h
(Monday to Sunday)

www.cafeoperabcn.com

 

Pastelería Escribà Ramblas

This great bakery and chocolate house was founded in 1906 and is nowadays one of the most spread and famous in town. The one we suggest you, in Ramblas nº 86, was established in 1986. There's a coffee bar inside and a terrace which opens at 8.30am and is a fantastic place for breakfast. The best "ensaimada" can be tasted here, as well as very innovative croissants with:

• vanilla and rose
• white chocolate and mint
• chocolate with banana
• sobrasada with honey

Good Lavazza coffee and hot chocolate. Prices for a breakfast can be up to 5 euro person.
Cakes and chocolates (toffee lips and mint chocolate leaves) are also very traditional and are really specialists in preparing "monas", the catalan chocolate which is traditional on Monday Easter.

Pinotxo Bar

The best place to have breakfast at 8 a.m. His owner, Juanito, will receive you always with a smile from 6.30am! It's one of the real "tapas" bar, where you can eat "cap i pota", mongetes (white beans), lamb ribs, and lots of other real traditional catalan tapas. The best moment to go, even if you feel you can only have a coffee with ensaimada, is before 9 a.m where you will find local people, market sellers and sometimes famous catalan chefs.

Place: Boquería Market.