Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Tapas Crawl Tuesday

The rest of Tuesday in Madrid was spent eating, sleeping, or otherwise resting.

Walking home from El Prado, we stopped for lunch at Ceverceria Santa Ana on Santa Ana square. We sat at a table on the square, which meant for higher prices than sitting inside or standing inside at the bar, but it was a nice afternoon and there was a good crowd on the square. Tapas were OK - it was more about the atmosphere than the food here.



After lunch, siesta! Jenny, Ali and Dylan rested and read at the apartment; Liam and I headed back to Plaza Mayor for Internet and cold beer. Plaza Mayor was a great place to people-watch, folks from all over the world mixing with the locals. Also great for scenes like this:


Tuesday night Ali decided to continue her siesta into the night, so the boys, Jenny and I thought we might try to do a successful tapas crawl. We accomplished our goal with great success.

Taberna Tempranillo: We started here, as recommended in the Ramos guide. Stars of this stop were salmon with fried banana (sounds weird, tastes incredible) and papas fritas with huevos and foie gras. Really great scene here too.

Txakolina Pintxoteca Madrilena: smaller, not as tourist-friendly, but some great tapas, including salmon piled high with balsamico on top.



El Schotis - This unassuming place was nearly all locals, with a friendly 65 year old bartender, no English, but huge smile and very friendly. Here is where I first learned about local vermouth on tap. OK, it's unlike any vermouth I've ever had. Good enough to drink on its own over a few ice cubes and a slice of citrus. I had my favorite summer cocktail - a Negroni - with the vermouth-on-tap. Had to teach the bartender how to make it and he asked me to write it down for him before we left. The other highlight: “Spank Your Bottom” potato salad, name trademarked by Liam. The photo does not do the taste justice:


Tapas crawl complete. Now what?

No comments:

Post a Comment