Author Archives: jmatie22

Barcelona, fourth day

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Our last full day in Barcelona started off with the best weather we’ve had since arriving (18 degrees!).

We started off by looking for coffee, and we ended up finding a Tim Hortons!

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2018/11/22/tim-hortons-barcelona/

After, we stopped by a paella bar and got some delicious food at St Josep Mercat:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2018/11/22/paella-bar/

From there, we stopped by an ice cream place for dessert:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2018/11/22/hollys-ice-cream/

After dessert, we headed over to Park Güell. Along the way, this part of Barcelona looked pretty different. It was a bit older than the L’Eixample area, and streets were narrower.

At the park we took a bunch of pictures from the non-moment all part of the park. By the time it was our turn to go to the monumental part, the sun was setting, it we got some good pics in (note for future, buy tickets in advance so you can choose a desired time for when to see the monument).

After the Park we went to the Palau de la Música Catalana. We weren’t able to enter the actual music area, but the outside and inside entrance were picture worthy. Also, if we wanted to catch a show, they were playing Beethoven that night.

After the Palau, we grabbed some tapas for dinner at this place:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2018/11/22/la-pepita/

Then after eating, we prepped for a long night of partying.

Personal note, I used XCeed iPhone app to add us to the guest list for various clubs.” (Also used the discotech app to find clubs as well).

We started off by trying to go to Cafe Del Mar. Unfortunately by the time we got there, it was closed, so we tried Eclipse on the 46th floor of the W Hotel, which was a 3 minute taxi ride from Cafe Del Mar.

Eclipse had a nice view, but the DJ was not that good. Also drinks were 14 euros for a mojito. You could see from the view the beach, where you could have an awesome party.

Shortly after we headed to Pacha to check it out, which was a 10 minute taxi ride (Pacha is also near several other clubs). We didn’t arrive on time for the free guest list, but the guest list did allow us to purchase a ticket for 10 euros that includes a drink, so we totally took advantage of that.

Inside Pacha looked like its other clubs (with the cherry and white interior). The DJ played Latin music, but it was electronic dance Latin music, which actually sounded ok.

At almost 2am, we headed to Opium, where we made it for the free guest list. The music was basically top 40 music (not necessarily EDM). The app said it was supposed to be House, Electro and Dance, but clearly that was incorrect. Also, the people at Opium did not look as good as the people in Pacha. But at Opium, they had Shesha for 100 euros all night. Sam was able to get a deal for 70 instead.

At around 5:30am, we left to grab food at Casino Barcelona (haha, this was a lucky guess that they had food). This officially ended our trip in Barcelona.

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2018/11/23/casino-barcelona/

Note: Supermercat’s are open 24/7 and are an excellent source for liquor, and food you can add hot water to!

Barcelona, third day

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Today we got up super early to make our way to Montserrat, where a Basilica and monastery reside.

We took the R5 train from Mandela Baixador station, and travelled 58 minutes to the Aeri Montserrat station (where the cable car is that will take you up the mountain).

Traveling up the cable car took about 5 minutes, but was definitely worth the view and ride (FYI, the ticket was only 17 euros for the train and cable car rides).

Up on the top of the mountain we explored the Basilica and views around it. I was able to light a candle around the Basilica.

Before heading back down the mountain we stopped to get food here:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2018/11/22/cafe-at-montserrat/

After getting down from the mountain, we ended up at Catalonia, where we took pictures outside the National Art Museum.

We then traveled to Segrada Familia, where we spent a good 2 hours taking pictures.

After, we headed to the gothic quarter for some dinner here:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2018/11/22/bun-bo-vietnam/

Then we went shopping for a bit, going into Desiguel and some other stores. Shopping ended the night so we could rest up for our final day.

Barcelona, second day

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I started off today by grabbing a mocha at a cafe near the hotel:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2018/11/20/fleca-cafe/

After, we all grabbed lunch at an Italian restaurant:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2018/11/20/la-tagliatella/

After lunch, we passed by Carolina square, then headed to La Rambla road. There was a bunch of shops on the road. We then headed to a food market off La Rambla called Mercat St Josep.

Along the way we also stumbled along the Cathedral of Barcelona.

We also dropped by the Costa Coffee chain for some caffeine:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2018/11/20/costa-coffee/

Afterwards. We rested for about an hour, then tried to get a tour of Casa Mila de la Pedrero. However, because of the rain and thunder (and the tour includes going in the roof), the tour was cancelled. Instead, we ate at this place to have Spanish pinchos:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2018/11/20/lizarran/

And then we checked out a store called Muji to get umbrellas (although we ended up not getting any umbrellas).

Afterwards, we went to the El Raval area to check out a bar called El Bosc de les Fades. It along the way, we did pass by the wax museum in Barcelona, which is pictured below with Superman and CP-3O

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2018/11/21/el-bosc-de-les-fades/

Then we went to look for food, and ended up wandering to the Barri-Gòtic area. We walked along Carrer Ample (street), and found that there were a good amount of bars on there (but slightly seedy). We eventually found this place to eat and end the night:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2018/11/21/kapadokya/

Barcelona, first day

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Got into BCN around 2:30pm, and then headed to our hotel called NH Collection Barcelona Gran Hotel Calderon, which is in the L’Eixample area.

We slept for a couple of hours, and then grabbed some dinner. We went to the excellent tapas place:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2018/11/20/vinitus/

We walked around the L’Eixample area and did some bar hopping around that area to end the night (the first one was definitely one of a kind!):

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2018/11/20/esprit-chupitos/

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2018/11/20/the-alchemix/

New York City, third day

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Started off this day by doing an unexpected check in to a hotel right across the street from our previous hotel, the Royalton. The hotel we checked into was the City Club hotel. Gotta say that the hotel room at the City Club is actually better than the previous hotel, but the lobby was not as nice.

Started the day around 5:30pm, and ate at this place before we headed off to a show on Broadway:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2018/11/19/real-kung-fu-little-steamed-buns-ramen/

The show we ended up seeing is The Lifespan of a Fact. The showed starred Daniel Radcliffe, and was about facts vs. perception vs truths. The show was in Studio 54, which I though was very cool. At the end of the show, Daniel Radcliffe came out for autographs.

We ended the night at a bar called Rosie O’Grady’s for a quick drink before heading off to the airport (EWR).

New York City, second day

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This day was probably the most fun day I’ve had in New York.

For the entire afternoon we spent our time in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met). We had a great time looking at all different types of art from various eras (Greek, European, Egyptian). I gotta say, the European section was the best part based on how we were feeling 😉

After the Met, we went to this place for dinner:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2018/11/19/chikarashi/

After dinner, we went to pick up some hard liquor at a Wine and Liquor store around broadway and 22nd (note that in New York City, hard liquor is not usually available in grocery stores. We also found the price is kinda expensive compared to California).

For most of the night we spent at our friend Jonathan’s place for a pre-Thanksgiving party (Sam was DJing and there were a couple of kegs plus rage cafe and beer pong).

After around 12am we headed over to a place called House of Yes in Brooklyn. It was sort of a burning man type crowd. From what I remember, it was pretty crowded, but I would check out it again (they usually have themes every single weekend. We were definitely not dressed up for the occasion).

At the end of the night, we went to a pizza place called Artichoke Basille pizza where we got some artichoke pizza (also in Brooklyn). It was great, from what I remember .

New York City, first day

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Our hotel when we arrived in Manhattan was located in midtown, which is great since it is pretty central to everything (Time Square, Empire State, Central Park, etc). It was called the Royalton.

(FYI, we did arrive in New York, Long Island at 2am of this day and stayed at the La Quinta hotel, but nothing notable about it except the hotel had a horrible bed, and the towels were not soft… but it was cheap at only $100 a night).

We started off the day going to Korea town and eating at a place called Her Name is Han. At this restaurant, we met David Schwimmer!:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2018/11/19/her-name-is-han/

We then explored a bit in Korea Town, stopping by Food Gallery 32 (a Korean cafeteria with different vendors), and then got dessert at this place:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2018/11/19/grace-street-coffee-and-desserts/

After, we headed to Central Park, and walked around (started around 86th st and made our way down).

After Central Park, we briefly stopped by Times Square. We saw Bryan Cranston while we passed by the theater were he was doing show (he starts the play by barging from the outside).

After Time Square we went to the lower East Side, where met up with our friend Mike (whose lives in New York for 5 months), and checked out a couple of bars. The most notable one is this one:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2018/11/19/bar-goto/

Afterwards, we met up with some friends at Cooper’s Craft and Kitchen for drinks.

Then we attempted to go to Marquee, where Quinto was playing. It the tickets were $60, or $500 for bottle service. Since it was already 2:30am (and I’m they close at 4am), we thought it was not worth it. We then attempted Terminal 5 where San Holo was playing, it they closed early at 1am!

That’s its for day 1.

Alberta – 5th Day

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Last day in Calgary and Alberta. I woke up early at 9am so I could get a lot in before my flight.

Since it was raining, I started off with lunch at Ten Foot Henry (I took an Uber, and I have to say, Uber is basically like SF prices. I didn’t travel more than a mile, and I paid $10 Canadian):

Ten Foot Henry

After, since it was still a bit drizzling, I made my way towards a cafe at Inglewood called Rosso:

Rosso (Inglewood)

Sitting in the cafe, it eventually stopped raining, so I was able to walk around Inglewood (which is like a basic old town downtown). I even stopped by a local CIBC to do some banking.

Reaching the end of Inglewood lead me to the RiverWalk, where I past Fort Mason, and China town. I then ended up at Prince’s Islam Park, and walked around there for a bit.

After, I returned to my hotel to grab my car, where I drove to the Saddle Dome to check out the preparations for the Calgary stampede next week.

From there, I headed to the YYC. I was early, so I checked out the Aspire Lounge. The Lounge has a good selection of alcohol, food, and a sleeping area! One of the best Priority Pass lounges I’ve ever been to.

Alberta – 4th Day Part 2

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Coming in from Banff, there was crazy traffic (there was an accident on the trans Canada high way, which looked like a truck carrying cars fell into the center lane, likely from the rain).

I checked into the Delta (on 4th ave and 1st) at around 7:30pm.

From the hotel, I walked around a bit. I explored around City Hall, Olympic Plaza and Calgary Tower. I then strolled along Stephen Ave, and tried to go to the National on 10th. Unfortunately it was closed (for a private event). However I was able to go to the one on 17th ave (however it did not have any games):

National (on 17th)

After the National, I walked along 17th, between 4th and 1st. It too much was happening. I tried to go to a cocktail bar called Proof, it was closed because of Canada day.

So then I proceeded to the Peace Bridge, which is supposed to look the best at night because of the lights.

I ended off the night at my hotel’s hot tub (although it definitely wasn’t as nice as the Fairmont in Banff).

Alberta – 4th Day Part 1

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This day was the last day I would be in Banff before heading to Calgary.

The first thing we did spend an 3 hours in the Fairmont hot springs. The price was $80 Canadian, it it was definitely 8 times better than the previous hot springs we went to. It had several pools with different temperatures, along with a steam room and a sauna. The steam and sauna room had this mint vapor smell, which I really liked. As for the main mineral pool, it was interesting if you had your ears below water, since you could hear music (I’m sure the music was also playing out of the water, but the waterfalls I think prevent you from hearing it).

Also, the coed lounge area had unlimited free cookies (I had 3 :)).

After the hot springs we did a distillery tour at Park Distillery. They make vodka, gin, whisky, and some flavored vodkas. I did learn a couple of things during this tour, such as

  • It takes at least 3 years for whisky to be in a barrel before they can call it whisky (Park does 5 years)
  • Gin is made from Juniper berries

Also, one thing to call out is this amazing drink Jon had that had honey in it (it was called ___ mountain). It’d be great to get the ingredients and try creating that drink at home.

After the distillery tour, I headed for Calgary!