barcelona The Local Designer

custom tour compiled by Javier Mariscal

Javier Mariscal
What I like most about Barcelona is the piece of land it is built on: between sea and mountain, between the Mediterranean and the Tibidabo. Thats why I enjoy painting the port and the Observatori Fabra so much. I also like it because its sunny the whole yearin the winter you can drink a beer on the terrace while children are playing. Also, there is the Montjuc and the Fundaci and the Pueblo Espanyol which is tremendously kitschy. The streets of Raval make you feel like youre in Islamabad and there are all these tourists all over...but thats nobodys fault. We all like to visit other cities to later come back and note that its not that bad at home, after all. About Javier Mariscal: Javier Mariscal is one of Barcelona's most renowned designers and artists. He works in a wide range of mediums, from painting and sculpture to interior design. Mariscal achieved international fame with his 1979 design of the Bar Cel Ona logo and posterior at the 1992 Olympic games with the design of the official mascot, the "Cobi." In 1999, the designer received the National Prize of Design awarded by the Spanish Department of Industry and the foundation BCD in recognition of his professional career. www.mariscal.com

Vinon
Design bestseller

Shop | Eixample
Mon Sat, 10:00 20:30

Enrique Levi, a Czechoslovakian porcelain imports firm-owner, wrangled his expertise and knowledge of design and textiles into the opening of his own design store in 1934. Now in its third generation of the Amat family, Sergio, Juan Enrique and Yolanda have joined the organization and sell contemporary design products for the home in a space that's also buttressed by an exhibition hall, La Sala Vincon, dedicated to graphic and industrial design works. Meanwhile, the annexed TINC ON shop has a collection of beds and wardrobes, while the KITCHEN ON shop specializes domestic kitchen and bathroom installations.

A pioneer in selling good designer objects, and not necessarily from renowned labels. Sometimes happiness comes in the form of Vietnamese plastic flipflops or a Philippe Starck lamp.

Vinon Passeig de Grcia, 96, 08008 Barcelona T: +34932156050 E. [email protected] W. www.vincon.com Transport: [L3][L5] at Diagonal Eixample design home improvement photo Birgit Eschenlor

p1

p2

Fnac
Retail giant

Shop | Ciutat Vella

This tech/book/record department store looms large over Plaa de Catalunya, a grand expanse at Barcelona's touristic center. Fnac does not shy away from the attention: its rooftop sign may well be the second manmade landmark visible from outer space, after the Great Wall of China. Indeed, there is no doubt about the size of Fnac's sales operation. Billing itself as a "distributor of cultural leisure products", FNAC leaves no stone unturned. There are books, records, films, cameras, laptops and much, much more, all in ridiculous abundance. The prices aren't amazing but if it's sheer quantity you're searching for, then look no further.

I know you should support the small libraries but I cant resist: I love to buy comics, books and CDs at the FNAC. I am very busy but I always find a little time to check it out.

Fnac Pl. Catalunya, 4, 08001 Barcelona T: +34933441800 E. [email protected] W. www.fnac.es Transport: [L1][L3] at Pl. Catalunya digital cameras CDs dvds video games computers photo Lodig

p3

p4

Observatori Fabra
Star struck

Escapism | Sarri-Sant Gervasi

Built in 1904, Observatori Fabra by the Reial Acadmia de Cincies i Arts de Barcelona is the city's astronomic, meteorologic and seismologic observatory, where the comet 32P/Comas Sol was discovered by Josep Comas Sol in 1962. Perched high up on Tibidabo, it is opened for public visits Sundays between 11 and 14hrs, night visits for star observations are upon appointmentjust call +34 902 222 191. We recommend coming during the summer months, when the observatory offers Sopars amb estrelles (dinner with stars), serving good Mediterranean dishes in combination with a breathtaking view over Barcelona.

I always liked this building, which from afar looks like a UFO landed on the Tibidabo. I painted it many times. In the summer, they organize dinner under stars.

Observatori Fabra Cam de l'Observatori, s/n, 08035 Barcelona T: +34934175736 E. [email protected] W. www.observatorifabra.com/... Transport: [Parallel] at Tibidabo Tibidabo view scenic photo Sky's via Flickr

p5

p6

Els Pescadors
Haute cuisine from the high seas

Food | Sant Mart

The ancient square that Els Pescadors opens off of was once a favorite hunt of local fishermen, no doubt because of its convenient proximity to the Mediterranean. It is an aptas well as idylliclocation for one of the city's best fish restaurants. Els Pescadors serves its guests on marble-topped tables in a beautifully preserved, wood-accented dining room. The terrace on Plaza Prim, the site of many a 19th-century party, continues to be a popular choice on warm summer evenings. The food itself is equally appealing: meat and vegetables imported from the excellent Catalonian producers; a long but discriminating wine list; and fish quite literally fresh off the boat, delivered daily from the nearby village of Arenys del Mar. All together, it's enough to make anyone sing with joyjust make sure it's a sea shanty!

Honest, straight-forward food. Many years of experience and a nice locale in a beautiful square in Poble Nou. They know how to treat me well.

Els Pescadors Plaa Prim, 1, 08005 Barcelona T: +34932252018 E. [email protected] W. www.elspescadors.com Transport: [L4] at Poble Nou Poble Nou seafood fish Mediterranean creative kitchen gourmet photo JaulaDeArdilla via flickr

p7

p8

Tapas 24
Creative tapas

Food | Eixample
Mon Sat, 9:00 0:00

Tapas 24 is not the cheapest way to please your palatenor should one expect it to be, as it's the offshoot of the renowned Comerc 24 restaurant located on the corner of Diputacio and Passeig de Gracia. The place tends to be packed during lunch and dinner hours, and therefore can reach shouting-inducing noise levels, which makes up part of its charm. With simple tapas with a unique twist, the restaurant serves the kind of fare you've come to expect from chef Carles Abellan, a 10-year veteran of El Bulli. We suggest the Calamares a la Romana en su Tinta, the McFoie Burger or the Ous Estrellats al Gust (fried eggs with potatoes and chorizo), though these are just a slender window into the outstanding and creative selection of tapas on offer.

Noisy, great tapas, good atmosphere and tasty beer in the Eixample.

Tapas 24 C/ Diputaci, 269, 08007 Barcelona T: +34934880977 W. www.tapas24.net Transport: [L2][L4] at Passeig de Grcia Eixample Tapas culinary creativity Spanish photo In Praise of Sardines via flickr

p9

p10

La Cantina de Palo Alto

Food | Sant Mart

Founded in 1997 by six of its 19 current inhabitants, the Palo Alto creative complex (officially the "Private Foundation Centre of Artistic and Cultural Production Palo Alto") provides studio space for designers of every stripe, from architecture to graphics to fashion, as well as exhibitions and other related events. Palo Alto sprawls across an expansive, smartly refurbished textile factory but its social hub is undeniably La Cantina del Palo Alto, whose colorful decor and tasty nosh attracts visitors as well as inmates. The Cantina's skilled chef Nria specializes in simple, effective dishes. The reasonably priced lunch menus are a particular hit: not only are they extremely good value for moneythey also feature an appropriately inspired mix of Mediterranean and Catalan cuisine, prepared with locally-sourced ingredients.

Daily menu for 11 Euros. Good kitchen, nice service, fine ambiance and the best arroces (rices) on Fridays lunch menu. Its situated in Palo Alto, where my studio is and therefore like eating at home.

La Cantina de Palo Alto C/ Pellaires, 30-38, 08019 Barcelona T: +34933070974 W. www.paloaltobcn.org Transport: [L4] at Selva de Mar Poble Nou Mediterranean local cuisine creative good value photo courtesy of Palo Alto

p11

p12

Santa Mara
Inventive tapas, not just for gourmands

Food | Ciutat Vella

The creative brainchild of Paco Guzmn, who whittled his culinary chops at the Ferran Adri school of cooking, Santa Maria invigorates the dulled palate with tapas that are whimsical takes on classics. Hungry for some tuna? Try it combined with eucalyptus and pomegranate. A steak tartar comes with a dollop of mustard ice cream, an inventive play on the concept of the cold dish, while the unadventurous can still order a stellar suckling pig nestled over a bed of Spanish-style sauerkraut and mustard. The Borne eatery's buffered minimalist chic aesthetic is more upscale business lunch than four-hour cava sipping, but the prices are fair: shell out in the teens midday, and less than 50 Euros for dinner. In the meantime, dust up on your cooking knowledge by visiting Santa Maria's strangely technically savvy website, which hosts YouTube videos of the action behind the kitchen.

Their menu is well-balanced. I like it because the portions are small. I prefer to eat well, but in smaller quantities.

Santa Mara Comer, 17, 08003 Barcelona T: +34933151227 E. [email protected] W. www.santamania.info Transport: [L4] at Jaume I Tapas business lunch exclusive photo jlastras via Flickr

p13

p14

Passads del Pep

Food | Ciutat Vella

With 25 years-worth of experience in the great art of maritime cuisine, Passads del Pep ticks all the right boxes. For one thing, it's tucked away in a corneryou might have to find it with your nose, by following the delicate Meditteranean aromas down the corridor that leads up to its entranceand it features an elegant but unostentatious decor. Secondly, the fish is fit for the gods (or at least a connoisseur of the highest order): Passads del Pep's menu comprises skillfully cooked seafood that is so fresh it's practically swimming. The helpful staff will happily guide you through a selection gleaned from six local markets. With all this to its credit, Passads del Pep is perhaps the worst-kept secret in town: be sure to book a table in advance.

Its expensive, but what an experience!

Passads del Pep Pla de Palau, 2, 08003 Barcelona T: +34933101021 E. [email protected] W. www.passadis.com/... Transport: [L4] at Barceloneta El Born Mediterranean seafood fish fresh photo loremipsum via Flickr

p15

p16

Notes

A) Vinon B) Fnac C) Observatori Fabra D) Els Pescadors E) Tapas 24 F) La Cantina de Palo Alto G) Santa Mara H) Passads del Pep

p16

p17