Spain.... on the road Again

Cafe Society
1

So, Who’s watching this?

For the unfamiliar, this travel and food TV show (with a bit of art appreciation thrown in) on PBS follows Gwyneth Paltrow, Mario Batali, Mark Bittman and Claudia Bassols as they meander their way across the Spanish landscape in search of gastronomic heaven and other miscellaneous delights. They come up spades.

I must say I really like it. I download all of my TV and have just watched eight episodes back to back, with a pause around episode five for a run to the liquor store to pick up a bottle of red wine, having been so inspired. Now, I must admit that I’m a bit drunk and have come to appreciate that Firefox has spell check ( although it’s ironic that having just typed “Firefox” the browser flagged it as a spelling error…)

Anyway, my thoughts:

I wish I was rich. I can’t describe my jealousy: The food, the random cavorting in BMW convertibles, the wine. Ah, it’s too much.

Gwyneth Paltrow: No introduction needed here. Surprisingly normal and very likable. Down-to-Earth and humble, all very out of place for how one might guess the demeanor of a top-tier movie star. You know what? I don’t think she gives a f**k anymore. What other star would be caught dead scarfing down snacks like a plebe and sitting in the bath sans make-up. It’s all about her kids now, it seems, which is great.

Mario Batali: Of Iron Chef America fame. Also very likeable. I don’t have a professional command of things gastronomic, but this guy really seems to know his stuff. He’s constantly filling our heads with little food factoids and he displays a genuine passion for all they sample. You can tell this guy’s in heaven.

Mark Bittman: New York Times food expert. He’s not so bad. I find him a bit aloof or perhaps snooty, but maybe he’s just a bit intimidated by the company. I dunno. And is there a bit of sexual tension between him and Bassols or is it just one way? Am I reading too much into it? Maybe he has a crush on her. I know if I was sitting beside her all day long I’d be a wreck.

Claudia Bassols: A real class act. Very upbeat and fun, yet poised and full of grace. And of course, stunning. Very Spanish. I can’t say I’d be surprised if this exposure opens Hollywood doors. I had a girlfriend a lot like her once, but when… ah, never mind.

So, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if this show does for Spain what The Lord of the Rings did for New Zealand or what Monica Lewinsky did for Club Monaco Beauty lipstick. Not that Spain needs it. But I anticipate an influx of Americans. At least those who watch PBS…

I’m going to pour another glass of wine, thankyouverymuch.

Your thoughts?

2

I only caught one episode…the one with the Goude (sp?) stuff. It was fantastic! Seriously, it made me want to book a flight. Barcelona sounds like a truly great city for art and architecture touring. Great balance between old and new. I was going to watch it the other night, but I lost the battle for the remote. :frowning:

3

Gaudí. Good thing you mentioned Barcelona or I never could have figured it out!

I can’t see it, but it sounds like the kind of stuff that may end up in Canal Cocina (a cable station in Spain dedicated to cooking shows and documentaries). I’d love to be able to see it, it’s always interesting to see how others view your country.

I read an article in a plane magazine that said “there is no such thing as Spanish cuisine, it’s more like a hundred different cuisines.” I don’t think that’s quite accurate (some things do be common throughout the country) but there is a lot of regional variation.

4

My wife and I have been catching episodes when we can. Her family is from Spain (Galicia) and we took our honeymoon there. It really is one of my favorite places.

I find the show entertaining and it makes me want to go back soon.

I don’t know who Claudia Bassols is, but she is absolutely stunning, but in a very down-to-earth, approachable way. Bittman is definitely crushing on her.

5

Southern Yankee, I was born in Galicia! Tell your wife I said hola. :slight_smile:

I love this show. I was in Spain over the summer on vacation and had a great time. Just hearing people on the show speaking Spanish makes me miss it. And seeing what a good time they are having driving around eating tapas and drinking makes me miss it even more.

Gweneth Paltrow speaks excellent Spanish. I had no idea and was surprised.

6

I will! What part? I believe her family is from Orense (sp?) They still have property there and we are contemplating retiring there someday…

7

I’ve been to Spain twice and it was fantastic. I took pictures of all my meals :smiley: Love the food! (photos not uploaded, sorry) I would go back to Spain any time I had the chance. My favorite part is the south, Seville and Granada, but Madrid is exciting too. I’d love the opportunity to travel and explore they way they did for this program. It makes me very hungry to watch the show. My favorite tapas is gambas al ajillo - shrimp cooked in garlic and olive oil yummm!

8

Quick hijack… On our honeymoon we flew into Barcelona and stayed for 3 days. Then we rented a car and drove down the eastern coast and along the southern coast to the Granada/Malaga/Cordoba area, stopping along the way in a few pre-chosen spots. Really one of the most beautiful drives I’ve ever taken.

One town we had chosen to stop in turned out to be a little too industrial so we bypassed it and kept driving. We drove through the mountains of the southeastern corner of the country. It’s all twisting, turning, narrow roads high up and all you see is the valley below. Until we rounded one bend and there was the Mediterranean in front of us, as far as the eye could see. It was unbelievably beautiful. It was getting later in the day and as we descended we came to the small town of Aguilas. This was the day before Good Friday and they were preparing for the parade so many of the streets were blocked off, the rest were one-way and it took us a long time to find a hotel. Which was, of course, booked solid. We made our way back out of town and weren’t sure where we would be sleeping that night. A few miles down the road we came to a little seaside inn. Very quaint and attractive place, with marble floors, statues and fountains. They had one room left, thankfully. It was on the 2nd floor, with a stone balcony overlooking the beach and the sea. The best view I’ve ever had in a hotel, for sure. They had a restaurant and we ate at a table on the beach, with the waves crashing a few feet away. Turned out to be the best night of our trip. Oh, and that room cost $55 American.

9

I have friends from Orense. My family is from a small town in Coruña. Puebla del Caramiñal Right on the water. My wife loves visiting but gets frustrated because she speaks very little spanish. We’re working on it. :slight_smile: