Ole Ole

Trip Start Jan 01, 1972
1
11
Trip End Jul 08, 2007


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Wednesday, January 5, 2011

It is funny how you remember certain trips over others, specific restaurants stand out more than their neighbors, some hotels capture our heart while others are just a fleeting memory. Flying to Barcelona in 1968, then travelling to the coastal towns of Sitges and Salou was one of the first summer vacations I recall in more vivid detail. I remember our accommodations at the Hotel California (can you believe the name), but more than anything I can still see and smell and taste the glorious food.
I can visualize sitting at a simple table along the beach eating smelt (tiny fish, flash fried and served by the hundreds on a large platter with a squeeze of lemon), sardines, thrown on the grill with a hint of salt and olive oil or my favorite langostinos (which is simply the Spanish word for prawn, but is actually in the crab family and tastes a bit like lobster ). At 12 I looked forward to that end of the meal prize, which in earlier days often gets dangled in front of a young child as carrot, the award if they would only finish their meal. That was never the problem with me and so eating my share of smelt or langostino, was just a lovely prelude to the ultimate delicacy : Flan. Is it no wonder then, that in my later years I pursued the vocation of Pastry chef, wanting to dissect and recreate every dessert ever placed in front of me.
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