Carpe Diem is a clubbing pick-up bar serving mixed drinks in an atmospheric lounge designed to…read moremaximize your desire to shed your inhibitions and to separate your money from your wallet....other than that we liked it. This was a refreshing change from the old school bars we normally hang out in. The drinks are served in super sized goblets by servers who should be gracing calendars. The music was subtly pounding and the clientele were mostly young bachelors waiting for the bachelorettes to show up. Someone 30 years younger would give this place 6 stars....it's all a matter of perspective.

Modern, tasty and off the beaten tourist path, Gastro Bar Cataleya combines great service with…read moreinventive versions of traditional treats that sets it apart from the normal Caceres fare.....in other words....we liked it. We stumbled upon Cataleya after imbibing at a couple of bars on this street of "hot spots". Calle Doctor Fleming (virtually every town in Spain has one) is loaded with trendy, happening clubs and restaurants catering to those under 40. While we bested them by at least 20 years we enjoyed the diversion from the old school pubs we normally hang out in. Standing alone neat the end of the street off to the right Cataleya looked inviting and fun. We were impressed by the limited yet interesting menu and decided to dive right in. Our first bite was the Magret Laminado (Laminated Duck). This is a dish that needs to be savored one bite at a time. This is not food...this is a sensation that needs to rest on your tongue, slowly disassembling each subtle flavor on each individual taste bud....again, we liked it. The other tidbit we had was the Tiras Crujientes de Pollo (Chicken Fingers). Why Chicken Fingers? Hey, sometimes you just have to throw all caution to the wind. Our first indication that these were not your basic Chicken Fingers was the presentation. They were unrecognizable...something that Chicken Fingers back home could benefit from. Then there was the bite.....OMG! (Editorial note: I have never used OMG in speech or writing before in my entire life.) The crust was crispy and well seasoned yet lying inside the micro-millimeter thin coating was perfectly cooked juicy chicken flesh. I'm not a white meat chicken fan but these made me a convert. The juxtaposition between the dry crust and the moist chicken was perfect. The tartar-style sauce that surrounded the dish was surprisingly fresh tasting but not necessary. Gastro Bar Cataleya is reason enough to make Caceres a stop on your Extremadura itinerary...it is for us.