I know a place : Restaurateur Quim Márquez has a taste for the real thing
Grace MW Wong
Last year marked the 25th anniversary for in La Boqueria Market. No words can describe how happy I am. My book, which documents my life story and the 25-year history of the Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria, has been published in four languages. And with the opening of in Hong Kong, 2013 proved to be an incredible year for me.
Hong Kong is fantastic in terms of the variety of cuisines available. You can go to upscale restaurants or grab a bite at traditional joints. I like to go to mostly traditional places to sample real food and talk to real people. (2/F Java Road Municipal Services Building, 99 Java Road, North Point, tel: 2880 5224) is that kind of dai pai dong. The atmosphere is gregarious. We dance, drink beer from rice bowls and eat crispy garlic chicken, spare ribs, fried rice in lotus leaves, and curry prawns.
Co-workers at Quemo also took me to (379 Jaffe Road, Wan Chai, tel: 2893 7565) to eat truly divine stir-fried typhoon shelter spicy crabs.
I also like (89 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, tel: 2527 7476) for its delicious handmade wonton noodles.
Another exciting experience for me is eating the super spicy chicken hotpot at Sichuan restaurant (1/F Cosmopolitan Hotel, 387-397 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, tel: 3167 7833).
Crossing the harbour, I go to (shop 3001, 30/F iSquare, 63 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, tel: 2487 3688) for the spectacular harbour view from the terrace, but also to have an impressive meal which has my favourite black truffle and crab dumpling as well as king prawn and fried bun.
I dine out a lot in Barcelona. My eatery serves only breakfast and lunch so sometimes I can enjoy a leisurely dinner at my favourite hangouts, such as Albert Adria's (Avinguda del Parallel 164, 08015, Barcelona, m.ticketsbar.es).
Another renowned tapas bar is the buzzing (Placa de les Olles 8, tel: +34 93 310 79 61), which offers classic Barcelona-style tapas alongside the chef's own creations. Be prepared to queue for a seat.
Closer to the beach is (Passeig Joan de Borbó, 65. Barcelona, tel: +34 93 221 62 33). I love their amazing seafood and rice dishes.
