The Seville April Fair which officially begins at midnight on a Monday and runs six days, ending on the following Sunday, includes a public holiday to allow local Sevillanos time to take part in the annual festivities, which means most shops and museums are closed, but many restaurants remain open. A gloriously warm and sunny day, it was the perfect time to wander aimlessly through the the heart of Seville's old town, strolling through the narrow, winding lanes of the Barrio Santa Cruz, the old Jewish Quarter of Seville, stopping periodically for a cold drink and bite to eat, which grew into a day-long tapas crawl, sipping sangria and nibbling our way through the barrio.
Chalkboard menu of signature tapas at Patanchón,
was once home to the great bullfighter Fuentes Bejarano
Thirst quenching jug of Spanish Sangria with fresh fruit
Full of character, the service at Patanchón is warm and relaxed with a great tapas menu
Inside chalkboard menu of daily changing tapas
A collection black and white mug shots of notorious American gangsters and criminals line the walls, including Al Capone, Ma Barker and bank robber 'Pretty Boy' Floyd
Patanchón beer and wine menu
Paella de Marisco: Seafood Paella
Jamón as a cultural icon and everyday indulgence
Croquetas de Gambas: Prawn Croquettes
Tortilla Española con Patata: Spanish Potato Omelette
Street musicians playing outside the restaurant
Bodeguita La Parihuela in the Barrio Santa Cruz
Glass of Sangria with sliced orange and apple at Bar las Teresas
A chilled crisp and dry Barbadillo Solar Manzanilla
Calamares fritos: Fried Calamari
Pinchos de camarones a la parrilla: Grilled Shrimp skewers
After an extended afternoon tapas crawl through the Jewish Quarter,
we strolled back to the hotel passing by the spectaular Seville Cathedral
Arriving at the Alfonso XIII where we had a swim and nap before continuing
on our tapas crawl into the evening
A wonderful swim in the pool charged our batteries before heading out for the evening
Having had a great lunch at Casa Román with our guide Álvaro Carmona a few days before,
we decided to return for a tapas-style dinner
Casa Román menu of traditional Andalusian tapas
The charming age-old interior with legs of Iberico Jamon hanging from the wooden beams
Glass of chilled Albarino
Cold glass of Manzanilla
Boquerones en Vinagre: Marinated Anchovies
Croquetas Caseras con Jamon: Homemade Ham Croquettes
Choco Frito: Fried Cuttelfish
Jamón ibérico de Bellota
Bacalao Frito: Fried Cod
Caña de Lomo: Sliced Pork Loin Sausage
Tortilla de Jamón: Ham Omelette
Cola de Toro: Oxtail Stew
Delicious and reasonable - a rare combination
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