From traditional tapas to the most amazing paella I have ever tasted it was an experience that tantilised thee taste buds.
When dining out for tapas, one usually tends to consume a few plates between a group. This way one gets to experience and taste an array of Spanish flavours, which makes it easier to try a variety of dishes. I was told the best way of looking out for a good tapas restaurant was if the place was in a bit of a 'state'. By 'state' I mean the place is in a downright mess. Which I found to be rather odd because you would usually turn away from a place that looked somewhat messy. However, the reason for this statement was because these places are usually the favourites of the locals and the food is so good that the staff do not have time to clean the napkins and residue from the floor! Needless to say we never actually came across a place that was in a 'state' but I was looking out for one and even at the 'clean' places we did have many a good tapa.
The 'traditional' Spanish tapa which delighted me the most were the Pimientos de Padrón which are mini peppers usually friend in oil and seasoned with sea salt.
These green peppers are a mouthful of goodness! They are about the size of your thumb and so sweet to taste. They were definitely one of my favourites and I will attempt to make them myself to relive the Spanish experience very soon. Other traditional tapas sampled were the Spanish meatballs, garlic mushrooms, salted fish (usually whitebait or anchovies), and patatas bravas which consists of fried potatoes with a spicy tomato sauce.
Barcelona also enticed me with her food markets, just off the main street of La Ramblas. I have never seen so many rows of fresh produce, from sweet treats, to bread, fish, nuts, many types of olives and cured meats. I was in Heaven! I couldn't stop thinking if only I lived here I would be shopping up a storm!!! To share my experience I have contributed with some photos below. Just looking at them is making me drool. Pleasant.
Barcelona for me was a foodies delight especially for having so many different dishes to try and being so easy to do so via the traditional tapas experience. However, I found the people and customer service pretty rude, and two the sangria in bars was bollocks. You could definitely make your own better concoction at home! They watered down the alcohol with plenty of mainstream juice and went stingy on the amount of fruit and it can be expensive! For example one place was going to charge us 15 Euros for all you can eat tapas (our eyes lit up) however they sting you on the price of the drinks and the waiter did not want to give us a drinks menu or tell us the price of their jug of sangria was 20 Euros! We ended up walking out and the waiter telling us to go to McDonald's... RUDE! We did in fact find a place after another 20 minutes walking who gave us a feast of tapas for 10 Euros and a beer included. So tip from me is look around and don't settle for rubbish service!!!
Being the foodie that I am McDonald's caught my eye as they actually serve wedges as an option with their meals. FACT. Check out the image below. They also have DIY tills where you order from a computer touch screen and pay into the machine (almost like a ATM machine) and then collect your order when it is called. Delightful and fast. They also take the cake for best cheeseburger in all three countries we visited. And also for the biggest burger I have seen. Called the 1955, double pattie, salad and bacon. Big ups to Spain McDs!
Also, Spain has bread called Bimbo. Hilarious. Literally cracked up and had to take a photo.
That is all folks. For my next installment I will be discussing my Spanish Paella cooking session and eating the most seafood I have ever eaten in my life. In one go. Literally. Just wait till you see the photos.... delish!!!
From a lover of all things food, especially Spanish cheeseburgers. Over and Out.
