This place is packed in the late morning with retired men who come to shoot the breeze, at lunchtime with people from the neighborhood, and in the evening with the young and old of Córdoba. The bartenders, all male, are classic examples of the gruff around the edges Andalucían server. There are various versions of this bar around town, including the slightly more upscale "Pata Negra" right next door, but the original on the corner and overlooking Parque Juan Carlos I has the best atmosphere. Grab a table on the street if you can find one empty.

Recommendations: The menú del día is a fabulous value. It's worth the extra euro or two to upgrade to the fancier flamenquín, if pork is your thing. The rabo del toro (oxtail) is excellent, as well as the ensaladilla rusa (kind of like potato salad). The salmorejo is more bread-y and less tomato tasting than some places, but tasty nonetheless. I like the lentejas (lentil stew with chorizo) if you happen to hit it on the right day. These full raciones are HUGE, so think twice about ordering them unless you are with many people.

It's sort of like a Scandinavian theme park? Zoo? Design haven?

Enter under the gates and you can spend the afternoon wandering the old town shops--little buildings have been moved here from throughout Sweden, so the bakery will have traditional pastries for purchase, the woodcarver will be making reproduction chairs, the glass blowing shop turns out all sorts of lovely goods (I especially like the tiny chips of multi-colored glass on the ground outside the shop). The craftsmen are all friendly and willing to tell you something about their skills or the history behind their project. It's all terribly charming.

Should you find that the pastries don't quite hit the spot, there's also at least one restaurant on the premises, with a lovely view of Stockholm harbor that you'd think was reserved for someplace decidedly higher brow.

And not to be forgotten, there's also sort of a zoo of Swedish animals, including wolves and badgers and who knows what.

Do not miss a stop into the Skansen store on the way out. It's the perfect place to pick up awesome Swedish design at practically IKEA prices--especially on sale. I wanted about every third thing, but got a table runner and a Christmas angel chime (which was later mistaken for a throwing star in my carry-on, but that's another story....)

The handpainted wooden ceiling in the thrift shop is worth the stop, but the goods on offer here range from big name Scandinavian design to nautical oil paintings by forgotten no-name artists. There's also a broad range of prices--if I had had more than a backpack and lots of travel left to go, I would have picked up a serving platter or a lamp at unbelievable prices. In the end, all I took away was a little antique plate for about 4 dollars.

At the warm, wood floored cafeteria, plan to share a table with a mixture of Swedish businesspeople, young hipsters, and the (very) occasional tourist. The 75-kr daily special served here (which includes salad, a main dish, and coffee) would be a steal at twice the price. Plus, both lunch and shopping benefit Stockholm's poor.

The Stadsmission also happens to be just across the square from the Nobel Museum. If I had a few hours to spend, I would lunch in the Stadsmission cafeteria, wander through the Nobel Museum and marvel at the rotating display of laureate photos, treat myself to Nobel ice cream at the restaurant there, complete with chocolate Nobel Prize replication (don't forget to look under your seat--it's signed by one of the Nobel prize winners), and then stop into Stadmission's Butik second hand shop. A wonderful way to spend the day--and surprisingly cheaply by Stockholm standards.

The Sociedad de Plateros, or Society of Silversmiths, also houses a peña social club and is a go-to spot for some very pijo lunches, but the space itself, a typical Córdoba patio, is second to the food.

They specialize in bacalao (cod) here and I especially like the Portuguese potato bacalao dish, sort of like hashbrowns/potatoes au gratin with fish. Just ask for "el plato de bacalao portugues" and they'll know what you are talking about...I never recall the name. All of the food I've had here is tasty and the service is better than most places. Be aware that Sunday crowds might make finding a seat at lunch sort of challenging.

Featured on PBS's "Spain...On the Road Again" series.

So I am a tad bit biased.

Taco del Sol is home to Mission style burritos, tacos, nachos, Jarritos soda, cheap beer and wine margaritas, rotating art for sale, and smiling hipster counter staff. Although the locations off Broadway or Reserve are nice if you want to get in and out, the original downtown location offers better people watching, a better vibe, better tunes, and a much higher likelihood of running into someone you know, even if you are just passing through Missoula.

Personally, I am a fan of the Mission with chicken and black beans and guacamole, but other friends are fish taco and veggie burrito devotees. The half size is still huge.

Consistently voted by the local alternative weekly as the best place to eat in Missoula for under 7 bucks and the best place to eat alone. I couldn't agree more.

It was once a center of mining, international culture, newfound wealth, and all that comes with it--corruption, prostitution, and Prohibition-era speakeasies.

When you're done wandering rough and tumble Butte, stepping in to the Uptown Cafe notably changes the scene. The Uptown Cafe is charming, lit by candlelight, with art exhibits that change regularly. It feels very urbane. The service is excellent and the food outstanding. When I was there, I split the chicken dijon and the artichoke ravioli with my mom. Both of us enjoyed our wine selection from the extensive list.

The Uptown Cafe is sort of upscale, and the prices reflect that, but the $12.50 evening special, including salad and bread, is a fabulous value (you have to be seated by 6:30). It's a nice place to splash out for an evening, or lunch is also available for something a little lighter.