ChI LifeStyle
“Comfort Blankets & “Clutching at Straws” – there are times for even the most seasoned of travelling International Citizens, when you yearn for the familiar, in a sea of stress and obligations…..
• The English-language section of the bookshop on Calle Elisabets in Raval, just before Las Ramblas, and down from Casa Camper, for when you are exhausted from speaking Spanish or Catalan and just need to chill out with a familiar book.
• The Financial Times on Saturdays, from kiosks on Passeig de Gracia
• KitKat chocolate wafers – available everywhere even in newspaper kiosks
• The Hard Rock Café in Placa Catalunya – to keep in touch with a global culture (“what culture?….what shock?”)
Last minute gifts for special occasions:
In April, celebrate San Jordi’s Day, the patron saint of Barcelona, by giving the man you love a book, and the lady you love, a rose! Don’t be surprised when you see the whole of Barcelona out buying books n roses – SO much nicer than the Brit equivalent of excessive drinking n flags, on St George’s Day.
ChI Art
Dip into the contemporary art scene with ChI – galleries, artists….
& where to buy on line.
• Iguapop urban streetwear shop and contemporary art gallery on Carrer
Comerc 15 tel +34 93 310 07 35 www.iguapop.net
• Contemporary artist Gary Baseman, exhibited at Mercado
• Design store – L’ Appartement on Calle Enric Granados 44 tel 34 934
522904. Features a different designer each month
• Not contemporary, but a must-see – the Museum of Textiles in El Born,
housed in a mediaeval merchant mansion with a collection that spans the
centuries, from Coptic and Moorish to Romanesque, Renaissance, Baroque
and Rococo, with modern styles from Art Nouveu and Deco to the Swinging
60s – featuring, of course, Paco Rabanne! Pushes the borders between
fashion, art and performance with its ground floor special exhibitions.
• Located in the chic area of Turo Parc, the Tressera Collection of Jaume
Tressera’s post-modern furniture married with artisan originality of design,
at Josep Bertrand 17 - 08021, Barcelona, Tel. 93 200 49 22, Fax 93 200 47
34 E-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
• Browse the little private galleries along Consejo de Ciento on the left of the
Eixample, off Passeig de Gracia.
• The Antonio Tapies Foundation, on Arago (when it reopens, which seems
to be taking a long time….)
• The CCCB (Centro de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona) has some
great exhibitions – some say, the best gallery/exhibition space in
Barcelona. Off Calle Elisabets in Raval, near the Museum of Modern Art. 5
Montalegre. Tel. + 34 933 064 100
ChI Drinks…..
ChI is basically a wine drinker, but also enjoys a really, really good cocktail
(see Hanging Out section)
• Cava – brut nature reserve
• Torres and any of the other wonderful wines from Catalunya
• Cuervo gold tequila
• Very well chilled sherry (manzanilla)
• Coronita Mexican beer
• Grey Goose or Belvedere vodka
• Cocktails from the bar at Omm….your choice! ChI’s summer fave is a
strawberry mohito….
Wine Shops & Wines
Some ChI favourites include:
• Vila Viniteca: C/Agullers, 7-08003- Barcelona-Tel.: 93 268 32 27 -Fax: 93
268 31 59- e-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
• Lavinia: Avda. Diagonal, 605 - 08011- Barcelona- Tel: 933.634 445
• Lafuente: Juan Sebastián Bach, 20-08021- Barcelona- Tel: 932 012 521
• Colmado Quilez, on the corner of Arago and Rambla de Catalunya, where
the knowledgeable staff are always happy to help you select.
• Mas SalB 3n-Mas Bacus: Enrique Granados, 68-08008-Barcelona- Tel.
934534358
• Verema i Collita: Plaça Joanic, 1- 08024-Barcelona. Tel 932 133891
de la denominación de origen MONTSANT:
- Can blau
- Les Sorts-Vinyes Velles, Mas Roig
de la denominación de origen COSTERS DEL SEGRE:
- Geol
de la denominación de origen EMPORDÀ:
- Finca Malaveïna, Castell de Perelada
- Oliver Conti
de la denominación de origen TERRA ALTA:
- Bárbara Forés
Or, the more adventurous, a short, but worthwhile drive out of town (about half an hour beyond Sitges, near San Pere de Ribes), is the wine producing estate of Avinyo. Really nice, very affordable wines – and a great little excursion.
ChI Reads….
(with a nod to Blue Chip’s “He reads….She reads”)
• The Shadow of the Wind, Carlos Ruiz Zafon
• El Juego del Angel, Carlos Ruiz Zafon
• Barcelona, Robert Hughes
• Homage to Catalunya, George Orwell
ChI is Listening to…..
• Alabina y Los Ninos de la Zahara
• Ochos de Brujo
• Hakim
• Pajaro Sunrise
• Miles Davies/Louis Malle, L’Ascenseur dans L’Echafaud, for late, late nights and summer musings.