Honest Bao

As a big city and famous for seafood, it's no surprise that Barcelona has some quality Japanese restaurants. It seems people are really crazy for them here too, as I really struggled to find any online availability when I tried to make a reservation. They are definitely busy, but not 100% full every day. Stay until the end of the post for a little tip to secure a table. Good quality tuna from Spain Sato I Tanaka, a small, unassuming spot that promised an omakase experience for less than the price of a flight to Japan. The moment I walked in, I felt like I was back to Japan. A long, elegant wooden counter, the quiet clatter of knives, and a chef who looked like he knew his way around a fish. This was the real deal. Love the red prawn We went for the lunch tasting menu, and at under 50 euros, my expectations were set to "cautiously optimistic." I mean, I've paid more for a sad-looking sushi platter in London. But what arrived was pure magic. The rice was  perfectly seas...

The second part of my Barcelona journey is here, and it's all about the glorious, chaotic world of tapas. As I moaned about in my Madrid post, I just didn't get the tapas scene there. But Barcelona? Barcelona is the tapas kingdom I was promised. And let's be real, I’m already planning my return just for another shot at the city’s culinary magic. Here’s the rundown on my tapas-fuelled escapade: Tapeo Bon This place is, without a doubt, the single best tapas experience I’ve had in all of Spain. Sorry, Madrid, but it's true. Stepping inside, it’s exactly what you’d expect from a top-tier tapas joint: a small, bustling, and wonderfully chaotic space that buzzes with the kind of energy that makes you feel like you've just been invited to the world's best dinner party. Amazing mini burger, sorry for out of focus picture  The food, though. The food is just on another level. The foie gras burger is a religious experience. It’s a tiny, perfect morsel of a mini-burger, bu...

Alright, this time, I’ve left the rain-soaked streets of England for the sun-drenched shores of Barcelona. A city of surreal Gaudi architecture, late-night tapas, and a seafood scene that will make your taste buds do a little Flamenco dance. Spain, a country bordered by the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, knows a thing or two about pulling delicious creatures from the deep blue. So naturally, my first mission was a pilgrimage to the city's best seafood joints. Lluritu: The Unpretentious Seafood Sorcerer Good decor and vibe Now, I'm not one for frills and fancy tablecloths. Give me a place that lets the food do the talking, and I'm a happy Bao. Lluritu is exactly that kind of place. Tucked away in what feels like a local's secret spot, this restaurant serves seafood that is so fresh, it practically winks at you from the plate. The cooking method? A glorious ode to simplicity. A whisper of olive oil, a gentle caress of garlic, a sprinkle of salt. It's so basic it'...

I know what you’re thinking: "Japanese food in Spain?" Madrid, is actually brimming with some seriously top-notch Japanese establishments. And when you've got Spain's incredible seafood bounty, it’s a match made in gastronomic heaven. So, if you're looking for a detour from tapas, sushi is where you should go. 2 years of  Michelin 1 star We went for lunch, and it turns out we had the entire place to ourselves. The decor is a departure from your typical minimalist Japanese joint – it's all dark wood and moody lighting, creating a surprisingly chic vibe. They also boast a rather impressive selection of Japanese wines. Service was generally excellent - can’t be more attentive as we were the only customer. Our chef, who was trained in France and Japan before moving to Madrid, bringing a wealth of experience to the table. different decor compare to typical omakase restaurant Now, for the main event: the food. Overall, it was a triumph! The starters were an absolut...

Hola, when you think Spain, you might think tapas I raved about last time. But let me tell you, their seafood? Absolutely out of this world! Let's talk about Galician cuisine. Hailing from the northwestern corner of Spain, Galicia is a seafood paradise. Their culinary philosophy is all about showcasing the pristine quality of their catch, often with minimal fuss, usually simply boiled or grilled to let the natural flavours sing. It’s honest, hearty, and utterly delicious.  Restaurante Ogrelo: Where Seafood Dreams Come True! Restaurant entrance The dinner started with oysters. Again, not peak season, so they were decent but didn't blow my socks off. But then, the main event: the seafood platter. The staff were kind enough to swap out the crayfish for some glorious clams. And what arrived was a vision of oceanic perfection! Nice decor Here’s the thing about Ogrelo: there's no fancy trickery, no elaborate sauces trying to steal the show (as I mentioned earlier this is the Gali...

Welcome back to the Madrid series agin and I am trying the Spain's signature – tapas! A quick tapas tutorial: Tapas are essentially small, savoury dishes, designed for sharing (or, if you're like me, for pretending to share while secretly hogging the best bits). They're meant to be enjoyed with a drink and good company, hopping from bar to bar as many as your belly can handle. From my highly scientific, one-person research, I certainly felt that the tapas game is different in Madrid vs. Barcelona. Barcelona, with its undeniable tourist magnet vibes, seemed to offer more "refined" and perhaps "fancy" tapas – the kind that look great on Instagram but sometimes leave your wallet feeling a bit light. Madrid, on the other hand, felt more… rustic? Traditional? I'm not saying one is better than the other and you can still definitely find lots of great tapas in Madrid but just a bit less. Anyway, I dove headfirst into Madrid's tapas scene, and two spots...

I know what you're thinking: "You must talk about churros!" And you'd be right, churros are practically a national monument. They're everywhere, they're glorious, and frankly, picking the "best" one is like trying to choose your favourite child – impossible and potentially leads to a family feud. So, instead of wading into that delicious but dangerous debate, I'm here to enlighten you with two utterly brilliant, less-talked-about dessert gems that are PERFECT for beating that Spanish summer heat. Get ready for some honest-to-goodness sweet relief! 1. KALA Greek Frozen Yogurt: The Chill Out Champ 🇬🇷🍦 Greek feeling decor, image from Google Map Remember when frozen yogurt was all the rage? Then it kind of... quietly faded into the background like that one friend who promises to show up but never does. Well, KALA Greek Frozen Yogurt is here to revive its glory, especially under the relentless Madrid sun! Lots of topping available Stepping into KAL...

  Asador Gonzaba Madrid: A Late-Night Steak Sensation (and a Giant Meat Show!) The First Impression :   Stumbling into Asador Gonzaba around 10 PM, I expected a sleepy post-dinner lull, but what I found was a quiet elegance. It wasn't bustling, but the warm lighting and inviting decor hinted at serious culinary business. And then, my eyes landed on it: a magnificent, massive, uncut dry-aged beef hanging in a prominent cupboard . Forget your little steak cuts in a fridge – this was a whole bovine artwork, easily over 100kg! My inner carnivore let out a little squeal of delight. This isn't something you see every day, and it immediately sets the tone for a place that takes its meat very seriously. Plus, they had a wine selection that would make a sommelier weep with joy, though alas, Honest Bao prefers his calories in solid form.                                           ...