funny bone

sweet memories

Still feeling jet-lagged and a little devastated after my tearful adiós (well actually adjö) to my summer fling,  Jorgen. Yep, my gorgeous Swedish Architect was just what I needed to temporarily block out unrealistic thoughts of closed-off Dr. Crush, memories of ER screamy-meamies with yucky bodily fluids, and the drought of summer auditions, ugh.

Jorgen taught me about art at Madrid’s Reina Sofia Museum, 70’s architecture and hippie style in Ibiza, and toured me through the Gaudi Cathedral and Mies van der Rohe Pavilion in Barcelona.

Sipping Spanish wines in between sweet kisses, we dined by candlelight under a gazillion stars in Ibiza, and ran barefoot through the sand under the moonlight (ahhhh…)  And though my stomach had a few issues (I’ll spare you the details) the Spanish food was ultra-fresh in that European way, beautifully assembled and muy delicioso.

First stop, MADRID —

Bar Tomate – Open from 8:30 am till midnight (2 am Thursday, Friday and Saturday) is casual hip and hopping, serving maybe the yummiest tapas I had the entire trip. Maybe my senses were intoxicated because Bar Tomate was where Jorgen and I met (on my first night in Spain.) Then… every night that followed was absolutely dreamy… yes, DREAMY!

St. Tropez of Spain, IBIZA —

Cicale – Lovely and amazing — organic Italian cuisine with a modern Mediterranean twist nestled in the garden of trees.
Elements – A casual, crazy, kid-friendly big shack on the beach with wooden tables and a friendly staff. You can spend an entire day and night — they’ve got massages, a juice bar and fun-filled “theme” nights like “50s-60s.”

Elements has a little bit of everything for everyone!

La Luna Nell Orto – Outdoor tables protected by canopies of interwoven branches, the food is casual, fresh with a crispy surprise appetizer and carrot soup compliments of the chef.
Amante Beach Club – Picture perfect — If only Jorgen and I had plans to see each other again, this would be the perfect place for our wedding 🙂 I’d imagine it’s amazing in the day — at night it’s to die for.  A modern, healthy Mediterranean bikini-friendly menu.
La Paloma – Beyond charming, inside and out (we ate out) — it’s like an even more charming version (if that’s even possible) of L.A.’s The Ivy. One-of-a-kind plates, straw hat lights hanging from trees and the coolest shop with gauzy hippy dresses and antique jewelry. There’s a playground for the little kids and “love water” for the big ones.

love is all around… it’s even in the water, ahaha!

Beautiful Barcelona –

Pez Vela – Comfortable and lively on the Boardwalk near the W Hotel and The Arts, this is open on one side to the water, so it feels like sidewalk dining.  If you order fresh fish, you’ve gotta be fast, otherwise someone else will get first dibs.

With all of the eating and drinking I was a little petrified of the scale, but luckily all of the swimming, running, walking and extra curricular romantic activities managed to speed up my metabolism and I actually ended up where I started  — only with a lot more memories, sigh…

One response to “Remembering: Restaurants, Romance, SPAIN 2014”