Small spots come out every week in Barcelona but sometimes it takes ages before you finally discover them – something like that happened in my neighborhood when Nakashita came around. It was so clearly out there, in the open, that it didn’t seem to be a special thing at all – oh, but it is!

In a city filled with restaurants for tourists and so-called Japanese restaurants actually run by Chinese tenants, there’s a big charm on a real Japanese run by a Brazilian chef. Nakashita features classic Japanese with a twist you would only expect in Sao Paulo – like fresh oysters with maracujá sauce. It’s not the cheap option for Japanese – you don’t want it after you’ve tasted the extra fresh fish and the superb combinations they offer for lunch or dinner.

With the place so small and cozy a recommendation from the chef will always do – he definitely knows what is doing. Services is quite good, but it can be that sometimes you’ll get too much of an explanation. If you’re on your own or with a small group and there are not too many patrons, a good choice is to sit in the bar and ask, ask, ask. You’ll get more for your meal.

Nakashita offers a set menu on week-days: not cheap, but definitely a good choice for real Japanese food lovers. Also, they have a discount if you order to-go… Good local wines and extra cold Japanese round up a good choice for oriental cravings.

You’ll maybe see a few strolling by but you won’t see or hear many tourists in Casa Albert – they’re all too busy spending their money in the nearby overpriced trendy bars and restaurants. For about the same price of a starter (€7.50 incl.tax) at a nearby ‘name’ restaurant you can sit yourself at a table in the small square just around the corner from the grand church of Santa Maria and enjoy a three-course lunch complete with bread, water and a bottle of table wine.

This unassuming restaurant-bar serves locals good, cheap traditional wholesome food.

You’ll have a choice of five or six first courses and five or six second courses and a selection of desserts (including homemade chocolate mousse).

You won’t have to make a reservation, you won’t have to join a line, and you won’t have to pay a supplement to eat on the terrace.

Probably the best lunchtime deal you’ll find in the old part of the city (Barrio Gotico and El Born). It’s not fancy but it’s friendly, and the waiter and waitress will speak English if you need help. A good place to eat and drink while watching the world go by. ¡Buen provecho!

Please be aware Casa Albert closes at 15:30 and is not open in the evening.

I remember my mother saying it was a good option to cut your hair during new moon because it was supposed to grow quicker. However, when I came to Barcelona I realized there were other perks in cutting it in a full moon.

One of the most attractive hair saloons I had noticed was “La Pelu”. They have some stores around downtown, where you can always see interesting colors and styles in both the people that work and are served there.

La Pelu has a lot of special perks, but one of the longest running is the opening of the store at Argenteria (Argentería 70, near Santa Maria del Mar church) at night one Saturday a month, when the moon is full – from 22:00-01:30. On their web page they have the dates for these “special nights” – next ones are June 2, July 7 and September 29th (2012). August has a full moon – but also vacations.

An appointment is needed and you will get a reduction on the normal price – plus a fresh glass of cava and a very “Barcelonian” look. It is not possible to pay with credit cards.

If you want to take home a very personal souvenir, this might be a good experience. And well… maybe you even get your hair to grow faster than what you were expecting. Opening times change during summer months.

In honest truth, sometimes during vacation one needs a little time off from restaurants. However, one doesn’t feel so adventurous as to cook or only eat sandwiches.

This little place near the Borne market offers a good solution. From a simple salad to an impressive sushi plate – going into different tradition Catalan meals – you could get most interesting things from the international diet – with, of course, a special interest in the Mediterranean meal.

I won’t say it is especially cheap because it is not – it is a about great food ready to eat. Don’t be scared, either: a plate of sushi is around € 8 and a roasted chicken can be around € 10. You don’t have to give a great deal of thinking (and cooking) for your special at home meal, with everything prepared and ready to microwave. They have all the range from starters to dessert, and a great selection of wines.

I was drawn in by the sushi platters but the selection of cheeses, oil, vinegar and other delicatessen canned product is worthwhile the visit. A little hint of Catalan: Bon àpat means, literally, good meal. And, if you ever need it, they offer catering service – to be arranged at the Borne store.

If you are staying at at 4+ star hotel at Barcelona most probably you have a pool there that you can enjoy. But if you’re not, there is a local secret that might come in handy. All around the city, there are partly-government-owned gyms where you can pay per visit. And of course, use their pools.

There are many to choose from. In the picture, you can see the recently opened gym at the Ciutadella park (check the Ciutadella park article). The wooden building blends beautifully with its environment and has a great open-air pool in the upper deck. it is open until 23:00 on weekdays, but the pool is closed half an hour before.

Also worth a visit is the Club Natació Atlètic, at the Barceloneta. It has more pools, one overlooking the sea and a special entrance to the beach, as well as a wellness area. It is located at the Plaça del Mar s/n.

The municipal pools are used for fitness swimming, but you can also chill out in the hot tubs and jacuzzis. Keep in mind that you can only buy a day-ticket if the gym is not over capacity at the moment. If so… just come back a little later.