halfempty

(Couldn't fit Cuenca in title) - Cuenca, Valencia, Barcelona, Girona, Montpellier, St. Saturnin les Apt, and Antibes
This is my itinerary for a late April -early May 3 week trip. I have researched on both Chowhound and Fodors, but much info is out of date. We are not limited in budget so anything goes. I'd like to hear about fairly recent experiences, if possible. Last year, for my trip to Andalucia, we had many great meals thanks to Fodorites.

Robert2533

For Cuenca, try Restaurante Las Rejas (http://restaurantearsnatura.com). In Valencia, we like Seuxerea (www.seuxerea.com). You can also try Ricard Camarena Restaurant, a Michelin star and 3 Repsol Suns, which is even better (www.ricardcamarena.com). In Girona it has to be Can Roca (http://cellercanroca.com) with the Roca brothers. But try not to miss Cal Ros in the city (www.calros-restaurant.com).

These will get you started.

halfempty

Thank you Robert. You've come through for me again.

Any other suggestions? Has anyone eaten in any of the 3 towns in France?

Robert2533

It's been awhile since we've been up to Montpellier, but Le Grillardin and Morceau de Lune both get decent reviews.

We did find a nice little restaurant in Collioure last June, Le 5ème Péché at Rue de la Fraternité.
http://www.le-cinquieme-peche.com

halfempty

Hi, I'm leaving next week. Does anyone else have some recommendations for me?

lincasanova

Las Rejas, in Las Pedroñeras is in the PROVINCE of Cuenca. He did have a restaurant IN Cuenca city but I think he got out of the contract.. there was some problem there. ( Convention Center I believe).

Definitely walk across the bridge to the parador.. walk around the inside, if you are not staying there.. then perhaps go to Casas Colgadas restaurant if Las Rejas does not exist any longer in the city.

Seu Xerea owner in Valencia has also opened an open kitchen bistro in the lower level of the spectacular Art Deco Mercado Colon.

Ma Khin Café

http://www.mercadocolon.es/hosteleria.php

There is also an excellent delicatessen on the lower level to satisfy your craving for some top grade jamón ibérico at supermarket, not prohibitive restaurant, prices.. ( my suggestion to all). Try "loganiza de pascua" also.. a Spanish version of sausage jerky.. dried sausage that is delicious and does not need refrigeration.

for a Michelin star experience .. if you book RIFF on "eltendor.es" making your reservation through this webpage, you will have 50% discount on a la carte. Be prepared for a very slow meal but it will be very unique. This offer may not be available for the date you choose.. but try. Drinks not included in the 50% deal.

This restaurant is in a great neighborhood full of small bistro-restaurnats.

The restaurant at the MUVIM museum is run by a very good chef. I don't recall the name of the place but they will have a decent menu of the day and it is the only restaurant attached to the museum with a lovely terrace.

Enjoy your trip.

lincasanova

I just saw that Ars Natura is definitely closed as I thought. That link took me to the restaurant in las Pedroñeras.. thus my previous comment.

I see "RAFF" looks interesting in Cuenca..

halfempty

Thanks for all the great info lincasanova. We are, in fact staying at the Parador in Cuenca. Mercado Colon sounds like a wonderful market, we will be sure to visit. Riff is on my radar for a restaurant in Valencia and now that I know, I will make a reservation through eltendor.es. I am also considering Civera and Seuxerea. Any thoughts about those?

Is the restaurant in MUVIM in Cuenca or in Valencia? Do you know of any restaurants that are open on Sunday in Valencia? Do you have any favorite restaurants in Barcelona.

I have already cut and pasted much info and advice that you have given other Fodorites in past years. Thank you for taking the time to write this for me.

kimhe

<Do you have any favorite restaurants in Barcelona>

For cutting edge tapas from heaven, Tickets, now ranked #57 on the S.Pellegrino World's best restaurant list. Had a 13 different tapas lunch here with some beers a few weeks ago for some 70€ pp. Normally fully booked two months ahead, but call to see if they have any cancelations. http://www.barcelonabook.com/tickets...estaurant.html

Just plain fabulous tapas at Tapeo in El Born. The Coca de Sardina was one of the top three food highlights on our last trip to Barcelona last month. http://www.tapeoborn.cat/
Coca de sardina: http://www.tapeoborn.cat/tapas-menu/...ardina-en.html

Had one of the best meals of my life in Xemei on the same trip. The Bigoli en salsa Veneciana is something completely different from anything I've tasted before (from about 1.35 in this video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Lvcjtoh0tU

For a genuine Barcelona lunch, go to no fuss La Perla, almost vis a vis Xemei: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Catalonia.html

And of course, 7 Portes from 1836, an institution in town. Tons of history in the walls, and I never leave Barcelona without having had the wonderfool seafood Arroz caldoso here. http://www.7portes.com/angles/index.php
The arroz caldoso: http://www.foodspotting.com/places/1...73-arroz-caldo

lincasanova

MUVIM is in Valencia. Civera for fish and seafood.. old time consistent. You might want to go to the beach, Malvarrosa, for a "senyoret" paella/rice dish ( peeled shrimp and rice.. accompany with garlic mayonaisse ( alioli) and I'm in heaven).Not much shrimp or seafood on this rice.. basically very tasty rice made from rich seafood broth and a spattering of pieces of calamar and shrimp. We like L'Estimat at the beach, but there are many. Ask for table near window.

Also take note of the David Chipperfield contemporary building that is left from the America's Cup. it is a stunning piece of architecture. For a beautiful view you can walk up to the restaurante 39º 27N which is perched above the shoreline and have a coffee or drink before or after your meal at the beach. I have never eaten there but go frequently for a coffee for the view.

I don't tire of Seu Xerea.. but admit I haven't been there for a while.

The Mercado Colon is no longer a true food market but still has flowers, cafés, places for drinks and a wonderful delicatessen and restaurants. Do not miss the mercado Central, and on same visit go to the LONJA across the street.. ( entrance now on backside) to visit our only World Heritage building. it is a gem.

Enjoy your stay. Where are you staying in Valencia?

halfempty

Hi Kimhe, Wow, that food looks delicious and, of course, I always check out these restaurants when I am hungry. Thank you for your suggestions, these restaurants seem like they're exactly what I'm looking for. I'll definitely have the bigoli and the coca. We have traveled for many years to France and have just last year discovered the amazing food in Spain.

Hi Lincasanova, We will be in Valencia for 3 days, so I think one of those days we'll spend at the beach. We're staying at the Caro Hotel in the Old Town.

Is "old time consistent" for Civera good or bad? Are there better places for paella in town? I just googled La Lonja and thank you. It looks gorgeous.

This is the kind of info I've gotten from Fodorites over the years and all these tips certainly make for a better vacation.

Thank you both again.

annhig

of course I defer to Lin's local knowledge, but you may find that you like this place for its tasty food and traditional atmosphere much as we did:

http://www.restauranteelencuentro.es

as well as excellent food, the service was very friendly and we loved the wine "list" - in fact it was an open-fronted cupboard holding all of their wines which you could go and peruse at your leisure; alternatively they recommend something that will match your food and is within your budget.

otherwise we tended to eat tapas in the evenings, having enjoyed a menu del dia at lunchtime - often only €10 for 3 courses.

we loved Valencia - hope you do too. Don't miss the Museum of Fine Art - the first art gallery where I've seen rice for sale!

http://museobellasartesvalencia.gva.es

DebitNM

St .Sat doesn't have too much in the way of restaurants.

We have always had great meals at L'Estrade.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran..._Provence.html

How many nights will you be in St.Sat? There are many great places in nearby villages. Are you willing to dive and what price range?

Where are you staying I'm St. Sat ?

lincasanova

annhig.. I love hearing everyone's finds..as you can imagine we have not eaten in every restaurant and many tourists actually eat out in their short trip than we do in a month or two!

Civera for seafood and fish.. old time consistent.. a classic and would bet you can't go wrong. However, I have never had rice there. if you have read good reviews for the rice.. I'd believe it.

You may want to try LEVANTE's valencia restaurant.. another classic that has main first restaurant WAY out of town.. but has opened one IN town in the past years. That would be my bet for Valencian paella. chicken, rabbit, flat green beans and garrafó.. a type of white heavy flat bean) We do like L'Estimat for seafood SENYORET rice or Arroz a Banda.. Fish broth rice. both of which are tasty w garlic mayonnaise on the side.

Museums, places not to miss in this order

Lonja/ Central market ( near each other)
-Museo de Bellas Artes.. also have drink in park next door or along the Alameda street at one of several outdoor cafés to the left when you come out of the museum and cross the busy intersection without crossing the river. BOCADO has an EXCELLENT variety of interesting tasty food that never fails.

This is one of Valencia's prime property streets. No obstructions of view. The Westin is nestled a bout two blocks down and one block in the back. Beautiful hotel for a drink. Live music sometimes in the afternoons. Lovely outdoor patio. reconverted historic building.

Museo de Cerámica for its facade. Interior is lovely but with three days I doubt you will have time for this palatial home and its extensive collection.La Patriarca church ( near Ceramic museum.. amazing frescos.. more impressive than the cathedral in my opinion.. the original university from 1492 is in the Patriarca Plaza.

-City of Arts and Sciences.. no need to go INSIDE. Just wonderful photo opportunity of Valencia's iconic money- sucking Calatrava project.

If you are into folklore and festivals.. you may want to see LAS ROCAS in the museum very near the Serrano towers. It is free and has the historic floats and giant statues that are paraded around on Corpus Cristi. It doesn´t take long to visit and is quite interesting.

At a jazz concert tonight a friend just recommended this restaurant: Macel.lum

Also, if you like jazz at all.. check out Jimmy Glass jazz. Always something going on.

Alos, SARA BARAS ( fabulous flamenco dancer) wil be in Valencia April 30, for four nights at teatro principal. Seats are 50E.She will also be in Barcelona I am sure.

Enjoy your short time here.

kimhe

Your Sara Baras opportunity is Valencia, not in Barcelona until the end of June. She's performing "Voces" (Voices). Have seen her three times, and she's something very special, the internationally best known female flamenco dancer the past fifteen years. Clip from the performance: https://vimeo.com/110561275

halfempty

Hi DebitNm, I'll be in St. Saturnin for 3 days at Domaine des Andeols. (It looks gorgeous on the website.) We will have a car so we can drive to dinner, but in the last few years we don't like to drive more than 1/2 hr. The food at L'Estrade looks very tasty indeed. Great rec. As for price range, anything goes. Thanks.

DebitNM

EXCELLENT dinner [hubby's birthday] at:
http://www.coquillade.fr/uk/index.ph...e-provence.php

Another great lunch here:
Le Bistrot de Lagarde in Lagarde-d'Apt. No website, but you can google it. Lovely drive up and unimpressive from outside, but oh my! Wonderful food.

And a spectacular dinner here:
http://www.sanglierparesseux.com/en/


Also, take a look at the blog --

http://www.accommodationinprovence.com/blog/

These folks run the gite where we stayed and really know their way around the area's restaurants. Scroll back and enjoy David's photo and write ups.