Postcard from Barcelona: Ferran and Albert Adria open Tickets
by Terry Zarikian

       The new long-awaited Tickets by the Adria brothers – Ferran and Albert – is a playland for tapas and sweets designed to  evoke emotion, they say, and to make you happy.  Though Ferran has been reportedly involved in every step of its creation with their partners, the Iglesias Brothers -- Juan Carlos, Borja and Pedro -- who run famous seafood restaurants, it is  pastry wizard Albert greeting us on site in uniform and spiffy suede shoes – with rivets and gold patent leather -- designed by Cooked in Barcelona.

        The space is broken into six stations with counter seating.  Le Presumida (the Vain One) for local seafood.  LaEstella (the Star) serving drinks, including Ferran’s own brew Estrella Damm.

        Nostromo 180286  has a futuristic look and video screens to watch sports events while eating three-bite hand-held tapas called Xuxis, as well as salads and seasonal vegetables. The Garatge (The Garage) strung with tomato vines and hanging Joselito Iberian Hams wrapped in glossy red paper is the stop for snacks and grilled sandwiches. El Carmarote de los Marx (The Marx Brothers Cabin or Mad House) is a small cubicle up front where folks without reservations may be chosen to sit, drink and gossip.

        You’ll find me at La Dulce, with its flghts of model airplanes and flying machines made out of CocaCola cans .This is brother Alberto’s whimsical wonderland of everything sweet: cotton candy, iced sweet drinks, chocolates and his signature pastry. Don’t miss the chocolate cake, the almond cake with its liquid center and the remarkable bunelos filled with hot and cold chocolate.