For our last dinner in Barcelona, Cynthia brought us to a restaurant named Centfocs, which was several blocks away from Hotel Renaissance. It was not too far actually.
I must say that all our expectations were very high for our finale dinner. In our previous travels with Federal Phoenix Insurance, Ramon Dimacali picked a more special restaurant for our farewell dinners. Last year in New York we dined in a private room at Smith & Wollensky. Not only that, the choices of food were tops. He didn’t scrimp on the cost.
The interior of Centfocs was a little cramped because of lots of tables. According to Cynthia Nakpil, this is the favorite restaurant of the Philippine Consulate in Barcelona. Personal favorite of the staffs there or this is where the consulate brings their guests? Maybe both.
It was past 8 pm when we got to the restaurant. We were kind of tired and sleepy.
Ordering took a long time. Just to take all our orders took at least half an hour.
We all looked ready to sleep.
I was wearing the Desigual denim jacket I bought from La Roca Village.
The restaurant was full packed and very noisy.
Our orders came not all at the same time. The pacing was too slow. By the time our food came, it was past 10 pm.
Tomato croquettes are standard starters in Catalunya.
We couldn’t enjoy the food. It was too noisy.
Steak
Steak is best eaten for dinner when it’s only 7- 8 pm. But when it’s 11 pm, it’s not advisable as midnight snack because it would be too heavy to go to bed when the meat is still buo-buo sa loob ng tyan.
Some of the staff were Filipinos.
I pitied the food servers. The ceramic tableware used to serve the dishes were large and very heavy.
The servings were generous. This paella could be shared by two or three people if they were not too hungry. My travel-mates were passing on their plates because they couldn’t finish.
Finally, the dessert
I couldn’t remember if I ordered any. For sure this was not mine. Must be Len’s.
I wasn’t even sure if this coconut sorbet was my dessert.
I ordered chamomile tea. It’s manzanilla to them. Sa amin, ang manzanilla ay ipinapahid sa tyan pag may kabag.
Tea Infusions
The Federal Phoenix travel group. Busog and antok at almost midnight.
Post dinner
We were figuring out whether to walk in the cold or take a taxi.
I was too sleepy and tired. My colleagues still have energy to strike nice poses. Ako tulog na.
I looked so haggard. Tired, sleepy, still have jet lags from several long haul flights. And traveling back to Manila the next day. More jet lag.
I joined the “walk to the hotel” group led by Paul hoping to burn some of the calories.
We passed by an old-fashioned building where the musical La Cubana is held.
Walking back to the hotel thru La Rambla.
CENTFOCS
Carrer de Balmes, 16, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
Hours: 1–3:45PM, 8:30–11:30PM
Phone: +34 934 12 00 95
