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Tags: Gwyneth Paltrow / Mario Batali / TV Set Hotels / Paradores / Spain Hotels / → All Tags

Staying in Spain :: Batali-Paltrow Style

Where: Real de la Alhambra, s/n, Granada, Spain, 18009

This fall, PBS will debut the series "Spain... On the Road Again," based on an enviable Spanish road trip taken by Mario Batali, Gwyneth Paltrow, New York Times food writer Mark Bittman and Spanish actress Claudia Bassois.

We're jealous of this trip for many reasons (as well as Gwynnie's command of Spanish), but mostly because, according to Food and Wine, the famous foursome stayed at a handful of paradores--churches, palaces and monasteries converted into hotels by the government--including the nearly-impossible-to-get-into Parador de Granada.

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Tags: Viva Vegas / Mario Batali / Hotel Restaurants / Hotel Nightclubs / → All Tags

Mario Batali Puts His Crocs on Display at B & B Ristorante

Where: 335 Las Vegas Boulevard South [map], Las Vegas, nv, United States, 89109

How could we hit up Vegas without checking out some of the city's fine dining. Inside the Venetian (we promise this is the last story from this hotel) is the B & B Ristorante from celeb chef Mario Batali and winemaker Joe Bastianich (Hence the B&B).

As you arrive at the restaurant, Batali's big ole nasty orange crocs greet you. And we think he may have actually worn this pair as they looked a bit scuffed.

Nevertheless, we looked past the orange crocs as we were seated to our table. A super sommelier helped us pick out a Terlano Pinot Grigio and we started our first course off with Three Goat Cheese Truffles with peperonata while our friend enjoyed the sliced fresh heirloom tomatoes. We have a big thing for goat cheese and so we ended up saving what we couldn't finish. Yes, our waiter thought we were weird.

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