ANDALUCÍA - SEVILLA - TAPAS TOUR 1

A recent evening tapas tour in the stunning, sunny city of Sevilla with Shawn Hennessey of Sevilla Tapas.

After meeting Shawn in the Plaza Nueva by the Hotel Inglaterra, we headed to our first stop at Bodeguita Romero.

BODEGUITA ROMERO Calle Harinas, 10, 41001 Sevilla +34 954 229 556

www.bodeguitaromero.es

This is the place to go if you want the best pringá montaditos (a small toasted bun filled with scrumptious pork, chorizo, and blood sausage) in town.

We also had their famous papas aliñadas (marinated potatoes)

Amazing carrilla de Ibérico (slow-cooked pig's cheeks)

Jamón Ibérico

This bar has a great, traditional atmosphere without being old-fashioned, and the staff is efficient and friendly.

Next, a short walk found us at Casa Moreno.

CASA MORENO Calle Gamazo 7, 41001 Sevilla

This place is an institution in Sevilla. When you enter, you probably think it is just a grocery store or delicatessen.

But if you wander past all the food-covered walls, you will discover the wonders of its backroom. Founded in 1940, it has two areas: a grocery store where you can buy vegetables, sliced meats, and quality canned foods.

Then, located on what was once the house's patio is a sizeable long bar with walls full of excellent canned food, bullfighting memorabilia, and Semana Santa photos.

On the menu are the grocery store's products, along with an assortment of montaditos.

We opted for great-tasting spicy chorizo and cabrales cheese (one of my favourites of the tour)

Freshly marinated sardine fillets on tomato toast

Washed down with a copa of Gitana manzanilla and a glass of beer.

On the surrounding walls, you will find many amazing handwritten messages and quotes relating to wine. Have a drink and a chat and read a few. Highly recommended.

Next up and another short walk was

LA BARRA DE INCHAUSTI Calle Tomás de Ibarra, 10, 41001 Sevilla +34 954 87 13 22 www.la-barra-de-inchausti.negocio.site La Barra de Inchausti is the young heir to the classic restaurant La Moneda, located just around the corner. It is a modern-style restaurant with high-stooled tables, serving excellent fresh seafood and fish dishes from Sanlúcar de Barrameda and Huelva.

We had tortillitas de camerones

Gambas blancas de Huelva

Ortiguillas (deep-fried sea anemones)

Choco fritas.

This was accompanied by two excellent white wines: Pato Mareado and Nisia Las Suertes. Again, the service was efficient and very friendly.

By this time, we were feeling quite full but could still find room for a dessert, so we coaxed Shawn, who is not a great dessert lover, to guide us to the right place, and, of course, she knew just the place.

This was quite a walk away, but that was what we needed to help us find a little room for what came next.

After a while, we ended up at

LA AZOTEA Calle Zaragoza, 5C, 41001 Sevilla +34 954 56 43 16 www.laazoteasevilla.es

This location is one of four excellent La Azotea bars in Sevilla. It serves superb food and exceptional service in a cosy and convivial atmosphere. The bar closes at midnight, which was quite handy, as by now, we had realised it was getting quite late.

We tried three desserts.

Brioche (which seems to be missing a photo; that was mine, so I probably ate it too quickly!)

Crema Naranja

Coulant de Chocolate

Shawn never had a dessert and settled for a glass of cava, although I think she did have a couple of little tastes to ensure everything was ok!

We finished the desserts with Lustau East India Solera Sherry and a few Carajillos (coffee with brandy).

It was a night of great fun and learning. After living in Sevilla for over 20 years, Shawn is the font of all knowledge Sevillano and great company. After leaving the bar, we walked her home and staggered into the night.

If you are planning a trip to Sevilla and want to learn more about the place's food, drink, and history, you should do no more than take one of her tapas tours. I believe they range from 2 to 6 people and can be organised around any special requirement you may have.

Shawn Hennessey

Queen of Tapas, Sherry Educator. Sevillana, since 1993, has been the creator of unique and delicious food & wine experiences.

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