La Comida

One of the best things about exploring a country is trying out the food (known as "la comida" in Spain). Spain is well known for its menu del dia and its tapas. 

The menu del dia is a fixed price meal served at lunchtime. Lunch time is generally 1:30-4:00 pm in Spain. The meal includes a 1st course, 2nd course, bread, a beverage (wine, beer, or water), and dessert or coffee. You choose one of three to four menu options for each of the courses. The menu options typically change everyday as well. If you find a menu del dia for around 10 euros, you've got a good deal for all that food. 

First course of the menu del dia at the restaurant Chocolat: salad with red peppers, salad with seafood, and pumpkin cream soup

Second course of the menu del dia: beef and rice, fish and tomato rice, soy hamburger

Menu del dia dessert: bananas with chocolate, chocolate cake, and strawberries with chocolate

Tapas or pintxos are small, appetizer-like portions. Sometimes they come free if you buy a glass of wine or beer. They can also be bought individually, usually for 2 euro or less. Bread, cheese, and ham are popular ingredients for tapas. A large part of socializing in Spain revolves around tapas. Spaniards go out at night, after 8 pm, and hit up various bars for tapas and drinks. Similar to tapas are raciones, which are essentially larger portions of tapas.  

Tapas and wine at Lamiak Tapas Bar

Raciones at Taberna El Sur: Croquetas, curry chicken, tortilla espanola, and ropa vieja

The most common Spanish dessert we came across was churros and chocolate. They were advertised nearly anywhere. My sister and I had tried them from a random vendor when we were in Spain together, and I remember being a bit disappointed. I knew I needed to give them another try, and this time we sought out the famous churro dealer Chocolateria San Gines. I went in with low expectations, and they were infinitely exceeded. The churros were made fresh and hot, and the chocolate was thick and rich. The whole dessert was so rich that Pauley and Brandon had to finish most of my portion of churros, though I did eat all the chocolate. 

Churros con chocolate at San Gines

The photo is blurry, but captures the event well

Despite tacos not being regular fare in Spain (tacos must be more of a Mexican thing...) we had to track some down. With our wanderings around town we came across Maria Bonita Taco Bar. The restaurant had a punk feeling with skulls, amusing posters, and a projector constantly showing music videos. We're pretty sure that the atmosphere made the tacos taste even more delicious. 

Brandon enjoying the punk atmosphere

Pauley toasting the menu

Tacos al pastor with local light beer

Although it's a drink (or bebida), not comida, we have to mention the wine in Spain. It's so cheap, both in restaurants and in the grocery stores. Though it seems there are some hours you're not allowed to buy wine in the store, probably to encourage people to buy alcohol from local bars instead. We enjoyed the below bottle of wine from the grocery store, better than some we've had in the States, for just 1.39 euros. 

Spanish red wine

And, finally, Brandon and I are not coffee (or cafe) drinkers, but Pauley is. Pauley walking around with a tiny to-go cup of caffeine intense espresso was a common sight this past week.

Pauley with his boost of energy for the day