Bringing the Mediterranean Home: Tastes, Memories & Shared Experiences

The view from the train station

As we walked out of the store, the shopkeeper cheerfully told my nephew, “Be ready for a Michelin-star dinner, my son.” He wasn’t so sure. As soon as he saw his mom, he turned to her with a puzzled look and said, “Mamá, han estafado a mi tío.” (Mom, they’ve totally overcharged my uncle!)

His three brothers and my son gathered around him, eager to hear the story. I can’t say he was lying—his account of what happened, I must confess, was partly true. I had wandered into the store to browse the patas de jabugo (Iberian ham, a premium Spanish delicacy) and thought it would be the perfect opportunity to treat the family to a special meal of home-served tapas, featuring products we wouldn’t easily find back home in Mexico.

After picking out some Jabugo (and having an enlightening chat with the shopkeeper about how the pigs are fed acorns, or bellota nuts), I decided to add a decent brick of foie gras to the order. My nephew’s reaction was priceless: “Wait, will we be eating duck liver?!” It was all part of the adventure. I also asked the shopkeeper to choose a few more items—his personal favorites, which turned out to be a selection of cheeses (a strong Parmesan and a soft, tangy goat cheese), chorizos, and the essential accompaniments: salted butter, onion spread, bread, and raisin-dough crackers to pair with the foie. To top it all off, we selected two bottles of wine: a red (or tinto, as they call it in Spain) and a white, both chosen for their local charm.

Despite my nephew’s comparisons to Lidl prices, the items were a bargain. We were visiting Badalona, a small city just 25 minutes from downtown Barcelona by subway, and everything here felt both authentic and affordable.

Jamones Argudo. A selection of Jabugos on display

The day started when we stepped out of my sister-in-law’s house. We had arrived late the night before, and though I noticed her home was beautifully located in Badalona’s downtown, I hadn’t yet realized how well-situated it was. The door opened directly to the heart of the city: narrow alleys, bustling markets, and the sounds of Catalan filling the air. The train station, just a few minutes’ walk away, is conveniently situated near the beach.

My brother-in-law had made plans for us to visit Barcelona’s Cosmo Caixa, a beautiful science museum. But as we stood at the train station, I couldn’t help but plead with him: Could we just stay in Badalona and take a stroll instead? With six kids in tow (his four and my two), the museum was a great idea, but the weather was crisp and sunny, and being from Mexico, wearing a coat and sunglasses in March was too good of an opportunity to miss.

He asked, “And what are we going to do?” To which I replied, quoting an Italian phrase I’ve grown fond of: “C’è dolce far niente”—there is sweetness in doing nothing. The kids just wanted to run, shout, and play. It had been nine months since they had last seen each other, and what better place than the beach?

A playground on the beach.

Thankfully, he agreed. We strolled along the beautiful Mediterranean coastline, the kids running up and down the Badalona Rambla, a pedestrian road that runs parallel to the sea. After a couple of hours, we had walked about a mile in each direction and found ourselves back at the train station. Just when I thought we were ready to head to Barcelona, my two older nephews came rushing up. “Can we grab a soccer ball from home to play on the beach?” they asked. Great call! That gave us a chance to sit down on a terrace along the Rambla and enjoy a leisurely vermuth (a beloved Catalan aperitif) while ordering a round of tapas.

There’s really no wrong place to sit in Badalona; everywhere is charming and the food consistently excellent. I remembered my good friend Juan Carlos from Valencia, who insists there is no better food than Spanish Mediterranean cuisine, and that paella should always be seafood-only. The tapas arrived: crispy chipirones (small, fried squid), tender calamares (larger fried squid), sardines, octopus, patatas bravas (crispy potatoes with spicy sauce), croquetas, and some chicken fingers for the kids. These were paired with local wines: a crisp white and a rich red, and, of course, more vermouth. The kids gobbled down their food during half-time of the impromptu soccer match. By the time they came back from the beach, their faces were glowing with excitement.

Coffee and Vermuth (and Mascarpone)

As they sat down to finish their meal, the conversation naturally turned to dessert. A few scoops of ice cream, some crema catalana (Spanish crème brûlée), and coffee for the adults wrapped up what had already been a fantastic day. After a final stroll along the beach, we made our way to the store I mentioned earlier.

Around 7:00 PM, we were heading home when we received a tip from another shopkeeper about a restaurant called Espai Versatil, known for serving the best arroces (rices) in Badalona. The tapas could wait for the next day. My nephew, who had wanted to skip the foie gras, was relieved. We called ahead and reserved a table for 10, though they didn’t have an opening until 10:00 PM. Welcome to Spain, where dining late is the norm—and, quite frankly, it gave us a great excuse to stay out late and fight the jet lag.

The rice dishes at Espai Versatil were a revelation—absolutely perfect. Draco, the Romanian chef and longtime resident of Badalona, came over to greet us and even invited the kids to see the wood oven where he cooked the rice. To end the meal, we shared a nightcap of Pedro Ximénez, a sweet Spanish wine.

Draco talking about "arroces" to the "gang"

It was a day filled with food, laughter, and precious moments with family. This experience made me reflect on the essence of what we try to offer our guests at Casa Descalza. It’s not about chasing the next trend or visiting as many places as possible. Instead, it’s about slowing down, connecting with the people around you, and savoring the authenticity of each place you visit. That’s the true spirit of a vacation.

Before I finish, I want to encourage our guests at Descalza to embrace the flavors of our region. Try a variety of Mezcales—Espadín, Tobalá, Madre Cuixe, Pechuga—perhaps served straight or as a Rosemary Mezcal Tonic. Pair it with masa dishes (corn dough, used in everything from tamales and tortillas to empanadas), but most importantly, enjoy the conversation. Share stories, memories, and those little moments that make life richer.

On the flight home to San Luis, I found myself eager for the next adventure, already longing for more moments like the ones we had in Badalona.

Thank you, Diana and Gustavo, for hosting us during our brief stay in your beautiful city. As always on the trips… we wish we could have stayed longer.

Links:

Jamones Argudo - Carrer de Mar, 38, 08911 Badalona, Barcelona, España

Espai Versatil Restaurant - https://espaiversatil.com/