Sorry to bother you again but I had a couple more questions related to my thread on "Specific Barcelona Questions"

1) What would you say is the price range for 7 Portes and Can Majo? If you had to choose between the two, for a last night in Barcelona, which would you choose (ambience and food quality is important).

2)As per your suggestion, we are also going to Cal Pep on one night. Could you also give a price range at Cal Pep? Some guide books rate it cheap, some not so cheap (the point is I don't want to spend $20 every meal in Spain, particularly when Spain is known to be a cheap vacation destination). And is the bar more interesting to sit at than the back tables? Do I need to make a reservation?

3)By the way, is Barceloneta very confusing to make your way around? There doesn't seem to be any maps of that area. And what is the name of the main drag you were referring to in avoiding the people outside trying to call you into their restaurants?

4) What area is safe to wander at night? Sounds like Barceloneta closes down at night and Barri Gotic has been warned against as well as the lower part of Ramblas.

5)I have another entirely unrelated question (I already posted these questions to you but was afraid you wouldn't see it). We have to take a bus from Granada to Malaga. Is it safer to buy tickets beforehand (like before leaving the States) or will we have no problem purchasing right before departure. I went to their website once to get the schedule but I don't think I'm able to purchase from it. Do you recommend I call from the States to make reservations?

6) Last question - promise..atleast for today. Have you been to Botin in Madrid and Meson Castilla in Segovia? Are both worth going to or are they just tourist book hype? They just seem to be a bit pricey. If the food is really good, I guess it's worth going but if it's just the historical significance and the food is so-so, I'd rather go somewhere else. Since both seem to be known for basically the same food (roasted pig and lamb) is going to just one adequate?

Sorry to keep asking so many questions but I leave this Saturday! Thank you for all your help...Fodor's should really pay you as an on-line Spanish travel consultant!

Although I can't answer more of your questions, I'll leave those for the expert Maribel, but I can comment on the bus trip from Granada to Malaga--we just did it a few weeks ago. We just bought our tickets at the bus station right before our departure time. Our hotel advised us that the buses are never crowded and you are almost assured of a seat. We left on the first bus out since we had a plane to catch in Malaga and it was right on-schedule. Also, if you are doing the same, there is a local bus when you arrive in Malaga that will take you directly to the airport for 1 euro. Very convenient and easy.
Also, on your other question about wandering at night, we stayed in the Bari Gothic and did not feel unsafe at any time day or night and we were two women alone.

Thanks Angela for your responses. When you were in Barcelona, did you purchase any tourist passes like the Barcelona card? I'm trying to weigh whether it's worth buying these passes for discount entrance or if it works out to be the same in the end. So far, for what we are seeing, there doesn't seem to be a big difference or savings.

Hi Marian,
I just saw this post after leaving you some thoughts on your other "Specific questions about Barcelona" thread.

1) I'd choose 7 Portes (I left you some prices on the other thread). You'll be pleased; it's a Fodor favorite.

2) My last lunch at Cal Pep cost 26,53 euros, but Pep took a liking to me, took over my meal and chose the following: a starter (9,32), a main course of squid (10,52), coca bread (1,80), the house white wine (2 glasses-1,80), his famous crema catalana foam for dessert (2,10) and espresso (,99). I could have gotten by for much less, just ordering one couse and dessert and 1 glass of wine (but I was having fun and spent about 1 1/2 hrs. there). The bar is much more interesting. And the tiny back room tables are for "those in the know", Pep's regulars and thus very highly coveted. If you go, just get to the place by 8 p.m. and you should find space-there are 16 bar stools, I think, if I counted correctly after my 2nd glass of wine!

3-4-5) are on your other thread

6) Yes, I've been to Botín a gazillion times in over 30 years! We take visiting friends there, as it's the #1 requested restaurant for all those visiting Madrid, plus according to the G. Book of Records, the oldest restaurant in the world (1725), and then there's its Hemingway-Sun Also Rises fame. I've never, ever had a bad meal there. Yes, it's filled with tourists, but Hillary and Nancy Reagan lunched there as well. Like 7 Portes, it's another crowd pleaser. But we try to go later, when Spaniards come in with their foreign guests, around 10. If you arrive at 8, you will be with non-Spaniards, if that matters. Reservations are essential, but they do take walk-ins at 8, but seat them in the front room. I prefer to sit either downstairs in the "cave" or up on the top floor. Lovely decor throughout.

Botín's equivalent in Segovia is the Mesón Cándido. Ditto. A legend. Again, I've never had an unsatisfactory meal there, and I always order the roast lamb, but I do reserve in advance in Spanish and am accompanied by Spaniards, so I'm not treated as a passing tourist in either place. A Fodor friend found abrupt service there and didn't enjoy it. The service can appear abrupt, but I just see it as speedily efficient.
We enjoy the upstairs dining room more than downstairs.
However, if you want to pick one of the two, I'd choose Botín and do a less pricey restaurant in Segovia. Duque and Josè María also serve terrific roast lamb, but their prices are equivalent. (Duque has a tapas bar, Cuevas de Duque with separate entrance on Santa Engracia below). Or you might enjoy the terrace of Narizotas in front of the San Martín church on the square. They have several very, very reasonably priced fixed menus.

Now, I really do have to go pack! Plane leaves tomorrow at 6 p.m.!

I'm leaving for Barcelona one week from tonight. This info is extremely helpful, thanks so much!!