Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Xpensive

Of course meals were provided on the cruise ship. There was a buffet room that was open from about 6am to 10pm and several restaurants to choose from (for an extra price), plus the dining room where your dinner was served. All beverages had to be paid for, however. And you really had to pay for them.  

But part of the fun of travelling is eating at local restaurants. We managed to sit at a table and have something in each of the cities we visited. I found this lovely spot right on the beach in Barcelona. I was doing my own thing on the Hop On Hop Off tour bus, so XUP missed this restaurant named after her. It seems this charming Catalan expression means something along the lines of 'simmer in own juices' Like a slow cooker, I am imagining. It was supposed to have great paella, but I was not that hungry, so had some gazpacho and salmon carpaccio. Turns out I wasn't even that hungry. Must have been the heat. It was over 40C. I chose to eat indoors where it was air conditioned. I also didn't want to pay the 10% extra for patio seating.
The food was very good. But also very expensive. At least by North American standards. I have travelled in Europe enough that I knew to expect to be charged extra for most things, but it still comes as a shock.

For water, one must pay for a bottle - and even a small was 2€ ($2.60)
I was asked if I wanted bread - yes, please.  with tomato? - sure. turned out to be about 6 croutons with a bit of chopped tomato and red pepper. a chopped cherry tomato. that came to 2.50€ ($3.25). it did add nicely to the gazpacho, I will admit.
CUBIERTO translates as 'cover' or 'tableware' at .50 (.65). that was an unexpected charge.
All in all it came to over $32 for a bowl of soup, an appetizer and a coffee. and a glass of water. But, gratuity is included. and I really like that part!

Part of ABCWednesday where I was not at home for X number of days.

25 comments:

  1. She missed it?!? They named a place after her and she missed it?

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  2. You can find cheaper restos in Barcelona, but when you're limited to the tourist areas of course they are going to charge more. I am glad the food was good at least! :)

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    1. yes, there is always something cheaper... but I was needing to eat and this looked so nice I didn't want to walk any further.

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  3. I was surprised with the high cost of water in some places in Italy … as high as C$5.00 for a small bottle. The menus were interesting, too, in that meals were selected item by items at significant cost. But the sight of the historic wonders and surroundings outshone everything. I like the eXtra large umbrellas fluttering like sails over the tables.

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    1. and then in one city (Valencia, I think) bottles of water were really cheap!
      I would not let the prices stop me from going back.

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  4. Fancy having to pay extra to sit outside!! Sounds crazy but it looks as though you had fun.

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    1. I found that in England, too. I did indeed have fun.

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  5. I think I'd pay the patio premium just to sit under one of those awesome umbrellas! My unseasonal entry this week is Ex Mess.

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    1. ah, but I got a better view of the awesome umbrellas by sitting inside!

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  6. I do like eating outside but an extra 10% does seems Xcessive. That is the trouble with prime sites but it does look a nice place to sit back and relax on a hot day.

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    1. we don't have any surcharges for patio seating in Canada that I know of. and this was the only one I saw that was right on the beach.

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    1. I guess one charges what one expects to get. and this place was quite busy.

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  8. One has to be prepared for that type of thing in countries where tourism is a major industry, and especially in high season. But the restaurant sure has a beautiful location and I'm glad you enjoyed the meal, small though it may have been.

    Leslie
    abcw team

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    1. I could have looked further for a cheaper resto, but I rather liked the idea of looking out on the Mediterranean while I ate.

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  9. I once went to an all-included resort, in Barbados. Now THAT was heaven!

    ROG, ABC Wednesday team

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    1. I could also have gone back to the ship.... but that would have wasted so much time.

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  10. Am fortunate that when I go to Eur. my relatives and/or friends take us out to eat, 'cause they know what I paid for the plane ticket:) But one time I had a salad at the Greek airport (I was so hungry, but sorry afterward) -a breakfast plate of lettuce (nothing else was in this salad!) for $30!

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    1. oh dear! yes, I usually go to the UK and let my relatives feed me!

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  11. It's nice to treat yourself special once in a while. Looks like a delightful spot.

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  12. So good to learn what Xup means! What did you get to see in Barcelona apart from costly restaurants? Also, what was XUP up to? Inquisitive squirrels want to know.

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  13. XUP wanted to go shopping and I just wanted to see as much of Barcelona as I could.

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  14. Hmmm. I would rather spend my money on admission tickets to whatever than on food or shopping. I know, I know. I am really, REALLY cheap. :)) I hope you'll share your photos of Barcelona!

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