The Zike-Bike Diaries: Barcelona: Tapas, Cava and other consumables

Tapas.
Mihai's dream.
This whole trip was about him getting his tapas. When we were planning our year we each had one Must Go To destination: Istanbul for me and Barcelona for Mihai and all he could talk about was tapas.
Well, sir, you got them. Over and over. And in the meantime I gained about 12 lbs and dried out my kidneys with the cava that must be consumed with the tapas in summer. I hope you're happy. (he is, oh, he is)

This place was standing room only and not just because it was packed but because there were no chairs. Tapas were originally street food and you stood up while you ate them but now they are served in just about every sit-down type of restaurant. Except this place which Mihai had to try. Sometimes he either forgets he has children or he just mistakenly believes they will enjoy being elbowed in the face while shoving tapas with unknown ingredients into their parched mouths (you don't drink soda with tapas at this place my friend-its alcohol or nada)
It was a safe enough area and we sent them out to the street (with the camera to keep them busy) while we sampled half a dozen tapas and I must say the guy who runs the place and who makes the tapas (what is the proper name for him-is he a chef? a tapas-maker? what? someone help me out with this one) is a genius. Wow.
And everyone needs to go to Europe and have a moment when you try to order something that you, with your naive taste buds, imagine will be good. Everyone needs one of those moments when the chef, waiter, sommelier or butcher gives you that look as if you've just said you would like to try the foie gras with a side of kindergarten paste. We had one of those moments and now we can die knowing it has not been a life half lived.
Photos courtesy of Lucian.

So I know we were in Spain but my pizza-loving Luci was craving some pizza and we saw a place that had D.O.C underneath its name plaque and all of you true pizza connoisseurs know what that means (Tony D).
So the verdict: um lots better than NYC pizza and there was no blood pressure reading required (also no line, no wait and charming as heck with real Eye-tal-yans running the place).

There are little markets, bars and restaurants on virtually every street in Barcelona. It makes eating and drinking all the time so easy. So deceptively easy...