Patatas Bravas!

            After living in Barcelona, I can truly say that there are a lot of different and amazing local meals unique to Catalan culture, but my favorite without a doubt is patatas bravas.  I do not even know where to begin about them, because there is so much I love about this simple, yet amazing tapas dish!  Looking back, I believe the first time I ate them was at this very popular and local shop called Bo d B, located right by the harbor.  I admit it truly was “love at first bite.”  As a huge potato lover, there is not much that can top this meal.  Their crispy outside combined with their soft and warm center, plus the addition of salsas make it a must try.  I dread the day I go back to America because I know it will be the last time I will have them.  I think that the same phrase can apply to them like the one used about the famous water fountain on the top of Las Ramblas.  Once you drink from the fountain, you will come back to Barcelona again and again; this is how I feel about patatas bravas!

            I have a couple of friends from Barcelona who have lived in this city their entire lives, and I am lucky enough to be able to follow them around as they show me the area.  Having the privilege to be given a tour by true locals is something I do not take for granted.  A particularly remarkable time with them was the day they brought me to El Bar Tomas.  Famous for their patatas bravas, I felt as though I had died and gone to heaven!  What makes them so special is the sauce, which I think is garlic based.  I think garlic is the best addition to any meal, so having my potatoes drenched in them made it a dream come true.  Now every day I beg my roommates to go back to the bar with me to try this meal because they are truly missing a piece of their heart since they have yet to eat there.  I will continue to consume this tapas dish again and again until the day I leave this city!