GUEST POST: FESTIVE FIRST COURSE IN SEVILLE WITH LUXURIA

Wheels up! Today we're heading for sunny Seville, Spain, our next stop on our Home for the Holidays virtual dinner party. Our fabulous first course is hosted by the lovely Vanessa from Luxuria. Vanessa, a British expat living in Seville, is a Cordon Bleu trained chef and owns a chic jewelry business-my kind of girl! After my unforgettable trip to Spain this past summer, I'm content for now to live vicariously through Vanessa and her musings on her life in Spain. Thank you Vanessa for hosting our first course, I'm sure it will be delicioso!

 For our festive first course we will meet at the splendid Alfonso XIII Hotel in the centre of Seville. The hotel is a short five minute stroll from my house which means we can all walk in our chic high heels without too many problems or aching feet ;-)

 Once inside the historic hotel we'll make our way to the stylish Martini Lounge for cocktails. I love the modern, festive vibe, perfect for our celebration!

After a few cocktails, we'll hail one of the horse driven carriages that wait outside the hotel and cross the river to the acclaimed Rio Grande restaurant which is owned by my very good friend Marie Carmen (she is originally from Madrid and has won many awards since taking over the restaurant). Marie has reserved a special table for our meal with stunning views of the river and city.

Here in Spain, people rarely order individual first courses. The norm is to order a variety of small plates and everyone shares like a glorified "tapas-fest". During the Christmas holiday, shellfish and fish are served as part of the first course too. I'm famished so I have ordered several plates of traditional favorites for us to share:

A plate of the best Spanish jamon which should be cut so thinly you can see through it

 A selection of different varieties of gazpacho; just enough to wet our tonsils ;-)

Stuffed mussels-Delicious!

A fabulous plate of calamari stuffed with black rice (rice cooked in the ink from the the octopus)

 Croquettes-a decadent dish of mashed potatoes, bechamel sauce and Spanish ham, deep fried a golden brown-Ouch! It's the Holidays, so we won't be counting calories today! 

Of course, no Spanish meal would be complete without a glass or two of the best Rioja wine. I suggest a bottle from Vega-Sicilia for us all to share.

The perfect ending to our meal is a leisurely stroll through the streets of Seville, so bright and festive with Holiday decorations. I've had so much fun tonight-can't wait for dinner in Southampton with Hampton Hostess this Friday!

And the Christmas wreath giveaway winner is Teresa from Splendid Sass.  Congratulations Teresa!