Another day paradise starting with a fantastic breakfast and hot coffee, the best!
Today we are shopping for presents and looking for items for the store. We are also going to the Sevilla Cathedral to visit the crypt where Christopher Columbus was layed to rest.
So, off we go winding our way through the cobbled streets dashing in and out of shops filled with possibilities. We lose track of time while focused on shopping and have to rush to the Cathedral to make our entrance on time. With the huge rise in tourism concern for preservation has led to strictly controlling the number of visitors entering the sites.
There are two entrances to the cathedral, #1 on the left side for purchasing tickets and #2 on the right side to enter with a reservation. Tour groups have their own entrance in the front of the cathedral. Also, the restrooms can sometimes be hard to find. They are not always marked with the standard symbols.
The cathedral is named "The Cathedral De Santa Maria de la sede de Sevilla." This translates to The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Sea. Construction began in 1401 and was completed in1528 with a length of 443 ft., width 330 ft., and heigth of 138 ft. quite an impressive site to see.
The Cathedral is commonly known as the Cathedral of Sevilla and located in the center of the old town. For tickets and more information go to:
After visiting the Cathedral we head out for lunch. We were given the name of a highly rated tapas bar frequented by locals and geared towards the younger crowd. Why not see what all the hype is about. The bar is named "ON " or Ovejas Negras. We arrive just before the doors open and find a line forming. Ummm, this looks promising.
We are seated promptly and within ten minutes the bar is packed and there is a line of hopefuls waiting outside. We order drinks, a Spritz for me and Negroni for Michael (maybe missing Italy just a touch?). The kitchen does not open for another 30 minutes so we visit with a nice young couple next to us. A beer arrives at their table, delivered in a bag with ice and sealed with a rubber band, genius!
We order our tapas, lamb shank with romesco sauce and mushroom risotto. The lamb is fall off the bone tender and the risotto is creamy and full of mushrooms.
Both a must have here. When our bill arrives it is presented with two vials of a sweet Spanish wine. A great way to end a meal.
Another great offering from our hotel Casa 1800 is afternoon tea. Complimentary coffee or tea with sandwiches and sweets. We enjoy a little pastry and contrado before heading up to the rooftop deck. After a rest and a good swim it's time for dinner. Restaurants open for dinner at 8 -8:30pm so this is a stretch for me and I am famished.
Searching Google Maps for a restaurant the night before we found a bistro/Wine bar which turned out to be right across the street from our hotel. Mamas Bistro is the restaurant.
We arrive to find the perfect little bistro table waiting for us. I order my gin & tonic and Michael his vermut. It is always a surprise as to how The G&T will come, this time with black peppercorns.
I order the cous cous with roasted vegetables and a yogurt curry sauce,
Michael is all in for the grilled squid with fresh burrata cream, purple potatoes and ras el hanout crumble.
The quality of the ingrediants is the very best. Cooked perfectly and beautiful.
We finish off the meal with a mixed salad with strawberries, caramelized onions, toasted hazelnuts with a balsamic and olive oil dressing. The salad was topped with a phyllo wrapped goat cheese that had been fried. Oh my was this amazing. Sweet yet savory with a nice crunch from the pastry and nuts.
A perfect ending to a fantastic meal. Don't miss this restaurant when you are in Sevilla.