Streetlife: Carrer Ample
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NewPhono
Founded in 1906 by Don José Massó Armadans, today NewPhono is run by the fourth generation of the Massó family. José and Elena Massó del Amor took over the musical instrument shop in the Eighties, continuing more than 100 years of tradition. “The shop has changed with the times,” said José, explaining how the product range has grown over the years, from gramophones and pianos to electronic instruments. Today, they sell well-respected international brands, including Fender and Roland, as well as the traditional Spanish handmade guitar brand, Alhambra.
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Papabubble
Founded in Barcelona in 2004, these handmade sweets have reached cities far and wide, from Tokyo and Beijing to Amsterdam, New York and São Paulo. Papabubble’s aim is to recover the ancient artisanal sweet-making process and give it a present-day spin. Its assortment of sweets includes multi-flavoured mixes of fruit, citrus, sour, gummy or chocolate; colourful, creatively shaped lollipops; and sweets crafted to look like sushi, books and roses, to name but a few.
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Penny Banger
This cafe-cocktail bar sits in the 16th-century Palau Mornau, re-designed by Modernista architect Manuel Joaquim Raspall i Mayol in 1908. The main part of the building houses the Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum, but nestled below its impressive stained glass bay window is the effortlessly cool and quirky Penny Banger. Ronan Daly and Annie McKiernan from Ireland, along with McKiernan’s husband, Stephen Scott, from Manchester, opened the bar four years ago, blending lounge vibes with a deli-style menu, para picar. “Stephen came up with the mural,” McKiernan said, pointing at the digitalised collage, inspired by classical art, that covers an entire wall. This, along with the dim lighting, candles and cushions, makes for a luxurious setting to sip unusual cocktails. ‘Penny Lane’ (Pimm’s, gin, cranberry, seasonal fruits and lemonade) and ‘Bee Sting’ (Maker’s Mark whiskey, tequila, honey, apple juice and ginger) are the most popular. There’s also a selection of craft beers on offer, with a new guest artisanal beer every couple of weeks, and an extensive wine list.
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Safrà 18
This family-owned restaurant offers traditional Catalan cuisine with a modern twist. Owner Teresa Menero comes from a long line of restaurateurs and artists and, as a writer herself, she often hosts poetry and art circle dinners at Safrà 18. The eclectic mix of contemporary art and traditional decor reflects the fusion of old and new in the cuisine; many of the original architectural features are intact, including exposed stone walls and a wooden side door that dates back to when the space was a cowshed and dairy parlour. Traditional dishes include xató (an almond, hazelnut and breadcrumb sauce served with an endive salad) and Pyrenean favourite, trinxat de la Cerdanya (a combination of potatoes, cabbage and pork meat).
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Truffles & Wine Barcelona
This boutique specialises in more than 50 products made with the highest quality Croatian and Italian white and black truffles. The first of its kind in Barcelona, owner Stephan Maric opened the shop a year ago to provide the neighbourhood with truffle-infused cheese, sausage and olive oil, as well as fresh truffle, which, once ordered, is available in 24 hours. Maric’s best-sellers are olive oil infused with white truffle from the Istria region of Croatia and his award-winning black truffle cheese, but all the store’s products can be tasted free of charge, so you can select your own favourite. Formerly known as Zigante Truffles, the shop has recently changed its name due to the popularity of its monthly wine and truffle tasting, priced at €15 per person.