Sandra Gustafson
1 Can't find a better place!
This is a great book, and luckily for travelers to Europe, it is part of a series. I've travelled with these books to London, Paris, Italy and Spain and have found all of the gems included on the pages absolutely on the mark. The description of each restaurant is quite useful and you know exactly what to expect when you walk into the front door. Not only does Sandra describe the decor and atmosphere, in many descriptions she also includes good picks for menu items, as well as any cost saving tips. This book will guarantee that you have a great meal every time you pick it up.
The book is especially great for travelers since you don't have to plan your meals in advance. There are great finds in almost every part of the city and all you have to do is open to the map page to locate a handfull of close restaurants, then read about them. I've found many of my favourite spots this way and most of these are visited by locals only - a great bonus!
2 Book should be titled "Great Food - Great Value"
Just returned from Spain yesterday. We visited Pamplona and Barcelona. This book covered restaurants in Barcelona, Madrid, and Seville. The book was 5 for 5 of the restaurants we tried for GREAT VALUE value. The food was great, the writeups were very descriptive, and the five restaurants were a 100% hit with all five in our travelling party. We did not have a similar book for Pamplona, and did OK in finding good dining, but not nearly as well as we did in Barcelona. The book will pay for itself the first day. The first thing I did after returning home was to get on Amazon and order several more of this authors books.
In Barcelona I recommend especially the "Els Quatre Gats", (The Four Cats), a former Picasso hangout with charm, piano - violin music, and a great meal for 5 adults with dessert and wine, for less than $100. I would also, highly recommend the Hotel Gravina.
Good luck and good eating!
