 If a bar wins the 2016 Restaurant and Bar Design Awards in the categories of 'Best Bar of Europe' and 'Best Bar Overall', it merits a special visit. El Equipo Creative, the design team responsible for Blue Wave,wanted to create a place that reflects the proximity of the water, the colour and the light play of the waves with a hint of the vegetation and rural ambience of the Barcelona hinterland. Centrepiece is the elegant bar shaped in the form of a wave. Ceramic tiles in various shades of blue formed like sea shells dominate the walls and ceiling. Comfy bar stools invite guests to sample the ample offer of drinks or enjoy generous servings of tapas. Along the left side of the bar, you'll find a passage with small chairs and tables directly over the water sheltered by a perforated white wall meant to represent the foam of braking waves. At night, this wall becomes magical with blue illuminated lights.  The best design in the world is useless, however, if the ambience isn’t right. In charge of creating the atmosphere that makes people want to return again and again are manager Carlos, lively cocteleros and DJ Jose, the soul of the party, both whom help to ensure that events such as art exhibitions or fashion shows and music by up-and-coming singers help to draw people in. The drinks There is a wide variety of cocktails on offer at reasonable prices. As I don’t drink alcohol, I was keen to see what they offer by way of alcohol-free concoctions and I was pleased with their inspired creations! My mock-tail consisted of grapefruit juice with mint syrup and fresh mint leaves, a hint of ginger and another secret ingredient. My friend who was imbibing enjoyed a gin and tonic with orange and lemon slices, a dash of angostura and a mint leaf.  The food
The bar features tapas, ranging from €4 to €12. While listening to the music and sipping my delicious drink, I also had a small plate of fresh strawberries and a tuna fish and crab salad tapas, which was more than enough to fill my stomach. The terrace As night fell punters were still sitting on the terrace, warmed by blankets and heaters and enjoying the sight of the Barcelona skyline and the impressive yachts moored only a stone's throw away. Becoming a member of One Ocean Club For security reasons and because of the proximity of the private marina, you have to become a member of One Ocean Club before you can visit Blue Wave. It’s free and easy to do online: http://www.oneoceanclub.es/wp/es/socios/hazte-socio/. Once you get your code, you can visit as often as you like and can bring up to 10 guests. www.oneoceanclub.es/wp/es See you there! Inka Piegsa-Quischotte
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The Catalan capital sets itself apart from other cities by its numerous unique cultural features. Proud and coastal, and always in competition with Madrid, it has developed its own linguistic differences, with some French influences. Between its fresh sea air and its hinterland, its unique combination of land and sea is evident in its culinary creations. Infused with art, design and history, its mild climate is, indeed, the ideal destination for those who want to escape the mid-season dreariness.  SATAN's Restaurant and coffee shop Carrer de l'Arc de Sant Ramon del Call, 11, 08002 Barcelona, Spain Open Google Maps and let yourself be guided through the streets of the Gothic Quarter. After a few intersections you will arrive at your destination: a highly unusual restaurant which is part of any sightseeing tour. Here, since the kitchen is open-plan, the young, tattooed chefs follow their instincts and break all the rules, not caring what anyone thinks. We associate it with great coffee, roasted house blends and Japanese dishes... and why not?  BOO Concept store C/ BONAVISTA, 2, 08012 BarcelonaAn iconic boutique for those interested in up-and-coming labels, Boo has been supporting independent European designers for nine years now, by offering them exposure in Barcelona. Between the many deer, which have mostly come from the owner's own childhood collection and which give the shop that unique touch, you will find, among other things, limited series of Blue de Paname, Portugese Flannel and Norse Projects.  QUIMET & QUIMET Restaurant Carrer del Poeta Cabanyes, 25, 08004 Barcelona, Spain If Barcelona is so well-known for its tapas, then one of its variants, 'Montados', bite-sized portions of stacked ingredients, is much lesser known among the general public. Head to Poble Sec, to the timeless Quimet & Quimet, to discover them. Prepared within minutes right before your eyes, they are skillfully made by alternating condiments, fresh produce, and items from the family pantry. Savour them in two or three mouthfuls, in a décor unaffected by the passage of time, and where there is a stack of wine bottles to the ceiling, which the boss will dip into on demand.  TWOTHIRDS Carrer del Rec, 34, 08003 Barcelona, Spain If you suddenly feel the need to ride the waves then you should take a tour of Twothirds before taking the metro to Barceloneta Beach. This small Catalan brand offers a selection of hard-wearing clothing and accessories designed for surfing, or simply walks on the beach, made entirely out of recyclable and biodegradeable materials. Because when you feel the beauty and force of the natural elements so closely, you naturally want to protect them, too.   NØMAD Coffee shop Passatge Sert, 12, 08003 Barcelona, Spain There are coffees which you drink out of habit, and those which, at first sip, transport you to the unknown. Nømad, without doubt, is in the second category. In this backyard of the El Born quarter, they have made coffee-making a science. Marco, together with his sidekick, both of them energetic and high on caffeine, measure the degree of extraction with a pipette as it comes out of the machine, comparing and analysing the different variations of their excellent coffees, which are roasted in house, of course.  IT REMINDS ME OF SOMETHING Carrer Sagristans, 9, 08002 Barcelona, Spain On certain streets in the Plaça Nova, a popular tourist destination, you can find a little boutique of wonders. It Reminds Me of Something sells only original hand-made creations by the region's up-and-coming designers. Rubén is the creator of this project, which he runs alongside his digital agency. It was into this shop where he wanted to put all of his passion for beautiful objects with exceptional designs and functions. He will share with you the story behind each and every object with warmth and passion.   SABOC C/ Fusina, 3, 08003 Barcelona, Spain The Plaça Commercial, recently restored and now completely pedestrianised, offers a rare view which you don't often find in the narrow streets of Born. It's at the corner of this place where you can find a restaurant full of originality: the Saboc. From 11 o'clock, the sun reveals itself and lights up the terrace and restaurant's large bay windows. This is when you know it's lunchtime. Dishes on the menu are split into categories according to your desired cooking tempurature; ranging from cold and raw dishes, to dishes straight from the fire and grill. Tapas have been reinvented with talent and creativity. They keep coming one after another, leading you to surprising new discoveries.  |
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