Barcelona. Pick pockets in Las Ramblas

DullGreyGuy

zagfles said:
After all a restaurant aimed at tourists doesn't have to be good, they're only there for a few days so probably won't be coming back, but a restaurant aimed at locals has to be good otherwise they'll go out of business. 

It certainly used to be the case but I wonder if that is changing now with the increase of things like Tripadvisor and more travellers having mobile data to check a restaurants reviews? I've certainly found some gems that are on the tourist trail and if its locals or tourists filling them have varied.That said papers have a news story on DK Oyster in Mykonos every few months and the next British tourist charged €500 for 2 drinks and a plate of nibbles so maybe I'm wrong. 



As to pickpockets, only once do I know of someone trying... was the classic trick of the old lady trying to "give" me a flower in Rome whilst some young kid tried to get his hand into my pocket for my wallet. Firstly he was on the wrong side and the bulge was a mobile phone (talking pre-smart phone times). Secondly, I struggle to get anything out my jean's pockets so good luck to anyone trying to do so without me noticing short of using chloroform 

zagfles

DullGreyGuy said:

zagfles said:
After all a restaurant aimed at tourists doesn't have to be good, they're only there for a few days so probably won't be coming back, but a restaurant aimed at locals has to be good otherwise they'll go out of business. 

It certainly used to be the case but I wonder if that is changing now with the increase of things like Tripadvisor and more travellers having mobile data to check a restaurants reviews? I've certainly found some gems that are on the tourist trail and if its locals or tourists filling them have varied.That said papers have a news story on DK Oyster in Mykonos every few months and the next British tourist charged €500 for 2 drinks and a plate of nibbles so maybe I'm wrong. 

Possibly, but I think a lot of people just go in places they're passing on spec. We usually do, but will sometimes order a drink first and then google reviews before deciding to eat there... Mental note - check bar prices before ordering a drink!

DullGreyGuy

zagfles said:
Mental note - check bar prices before ordering a drink!

If you're talking the greek place, the problem is their menus dont have prices on them and if you ask they are evasive (by all accounts). Certainly for the food (seafood, if the name doesn't give it away) then if you do get the price from them before ordering they tend to give the per gram/100g price and people assume its the full price for a fish until the bill comes.

I've nearly made the same mistake seeing a Chateaubriand steak for £13.50 and thinking that was really cheap but then thought something was up when the sirloin was £35 and then spotted the /100g next to the price. The sirloin was very tasty though