The Sugar Bar

If anyone’s noticed I went AWOL for a little bit, there’s a lush reason for it : I was on holiday in sunny Salou, falling asleep on the beach with salt in my hair and sand between my toes, feasting on fresh tapas, learning to fry Spanish tortillas and knocking back shots of black cafe (cafe con leche? no thank you). Between days of doing absolutely nothing on the beach or by the pool, or shaking off the numerous bar promoters that hounded us left right centre by night, we ventured out to Le Pineda, the sleepy fishing village Cambrils and the much-loved Barcelona. Amidst our traipsing through Costa Daurada and Barcelona, we met many a dashing Spanish waiters whom we became quick friends (and Facebook friends) with, met a famous DJ, the owner and manager of club Snoepy’s. In the space of a  week, our little classy quartet became known on the streets for the better-behaved English, re-named the PCDs or Spice Girls however complimentary that would be. 

Despite the gradually accumulating hangovers, through the rose-tinted, siesta-induced Spanish lens, Diva was scouting for affordable, chill/laxing places to dine at or cute shops worthy of a second visit. Apart from buying random things like a fan and vintage Ozzy tea-shades from the Monday Salou markets and spending a little on bottles of vodka, mixers and mineral water, the week went by relatively worry-free on £255, non-inclusive of flights and board - quite affordable if working on a student budget really. Here’s a little roundup of some bars, eateries, restaurants, parlours and shops I’d like to share with you!

SALOU
Lunattic Bar

A nice chilled out bar at the waterfront offering a range of tapas, snacks and hot food alongside a very impressive menu of sweets, ice cream and fabulous cocktails which are served with rockets, sparklers and heck-loads of decorative stirrers. Check out the giant cocktail bigger than myself for sharing, their house special Pina Colada and the chocolate brownie.

Farggi 

A snazzy ice cream parlour situated by the beach for emergency ice cream, smoothie or coffee breaks. The finest and most varied offering of flavours and chocolate coated sugar cones. This ice cream parlour is top! Diva loves. And recommends the Lemon Sorbet for classic-goers or the Coconut Pistachio & Chocolate Truffle for the ultimate holiday experience.

Le Tagliatella

A restaurant about 5 mins away from our little hotel, this was a gift from the heavens. We went twice in the space of a week simply because the food was fabulous, the sangria refreshing and sneakily intoxicating and the Spanish waiter Dino adorable. The pizzas are bigger than the plates. You have been warned. There isn’t an elegant way to go about eating them, trust me. Definitely do not forget to try their fresh pastas (or risottos if you must) as well. Mind-blowingly good. I had some salmon filled black & white ravioli in an olive oil, shrimp and garlic sauce and I was close to tears by the end of my meal.

Uncle Sam’s Diner

Ok so really what are we doing going to an English-run American diner in Spain? I’m not gonna lie and say this was good but it’s worth a second visit on hungover days. No matter what I do, there is nothing like a bacon or sausage sandwich, or a fry-up the whole works you know to sort you out and make you feel like you’re still alive after a night of boozing. Just be warned, if you’re starving for something fairly fresh like orange juice, a pint of it (which comes up to 2 small glasses) will cost you a little over €3. Ouch.

BARCELONA
El Bosc de les Fades

A little way off from Le Ramblas, this little cafe is just precious. Its dark interiors is home to a manmade rainforest and its moody thunderstorms. Veering off from the main bar are little rooms containing an odd combination of things: a floating female body clad in a white floaty nightgown, an Indian guru, a glowing mirror that reveals the body inside at eerily regular intervals, etc. Even the toilets are a little special and go dark every 15 seconds if you don’t slam your fist down on the light button quite a way away from where you’re sat. Don’t get too carried away gawking though as the bar gets very busy and you’ll have to queue quite a bit before getting served.

Happy Pills

This quirky sweet shop was unfortunately closed the day we went to visit but I’m sure I’ll be back to visit again! Instead of popping pills, this shop promotes some other kind of rush for our prozac nation - sweets in little pill boxes! Très cute.

Giovanni Gelateria

Diva loves ice cream so she decided gelato for ice cream was the perfect Barcelona treat. This quaint gelateria seems to be a favourite amongst tourists and Barcelonians. The smell of hot waffles coated in chocolate sauce wafts up the streets and is the best way to finding this little shop if all else fails. Not the best customer service in my opinion but who’s complaining when the servings are that generous! I wasn’t the only one chuffed about my ice cream…obviously

I am feeling slightly nostalgic as I put these pictures up. A fab holiday, with loads of yummies and much to see. The last night was spent at a club Kiss where our little quartet surprisingly met all the Spanish waiters we’d befriended along the way and somehow made me miss the food even more! Nevertheless, we flew out of España with happy bellies and a gorgeous tan ready for the final end-of-university partying and GradBall. More adventures to come.