Biker's Beer Pump at Escriba's in Barcelona

Today it was a holiday, so we went to take a walk along the beach now that warm days are coming to an end. The day was sunny but a little foggy so most of my pictures came out dull and boring. We approached this restaurant with terrace facing the beach called The Xiringuito of Escribà, yes the same family that runs the pastry shops at Las Ramblas (remember my post: Antigua Casa Figueras ) and Gran Via, and while waiting for the waiter to accommodate us I set eyes on this beautiful beer pump fancied after a motorbike engine. The small letters on each side read "Escriba since 1908" and "For rock 'n' roll and its faithful beer drinkers", see detail here.

Tomatoes, Garlic and Olive Oil: The Cornerstones of Mediterranean Health

Well maybe I exaggerate a little bit, but olive oil and vegetables surely are the basic ingredients of a Mediterranean healthy diet. So why not showing some good tomatoes with garlic (good for the bones, or so they say!). As you can guess this dish wouldn't have surprised me much if it weren't for the marvelous display. One thing to point out here is that traditionally we use small juicy tomatoes (not these salad ones) to rub a toast or a slice of bread, which is then dressed with olive oil and salted. The toast garnished in such a way is called torrada de pa amb tomàquet and can be eaten as is or accompanied indistinctly with slices of ham, sausages, salami...anchovies sometimes or whatever you can think of. Garlic on the toast is optional but widely used and it must be rubbed first, before tomatoes of course. To finish, just remember this picture was taken in Monistrol de Montserrat in Barcelona. More to come...

Pumpkin Stall at Monistrol de Montserrat

To continue with the stalls at XIII Fira de la Coca i el Mató at Monistrol de Monserrat let's visit the pumpkin stall. These ones looked so fresh and ripe that I couldn't resist their spell. Besides, I remembered that Halloween was coming and thought you might enjoy the sight as much as I did.