Supper, Villa de Ábalos, Spain

While staying overnight at the Hotel Villa de Ábalos, I highly recommend eating supper there. When you make your reservation, be sure to let them know you would like to dine as well. It is a truly home-cooked, Spanish meal. The menu changes with the seasons and the availability of fresh ingredients. Here is the carta as provided during my visit:

Menu for supper at Hotel Villa de Ábalos.

Menu for supper at Hotel Villa de Ábalos.

These little gems were presented to start the meal:

A little something to start the meal at Hotel Villa de Ábalos, Spain.

A little something to start the meal at Hotel Villa de Ábalos, Spain.

The two appetizers were creative and delicious. The first was a leeks and spinach terrine that you see in the next photo:

Leek and spinach terrine appetizer at Hotel Villa de Ábalos, Spain.

Leek and spinach terrine appetizer at Hotel Villa de Ábalos, Spain.

The other appetizer was a sautéed vegetable medley that I was so anxious to eat, I forgot to snap a photo. But, next came the entrée, and what a fantastic one it was. Slowly cooked oxtail then removed from the bone and placed inside a sort of dumpling with a very nice sauce, as you see in the next photo:

Oxtail presented inside a dumpling for supper at Hotel Villa de Ábalos.

Oxtail presented inside a dumpling for supper at Hotel Villa de Ábalos.

This incredible meal was finished with a warm almond cake and vanilla ice-cream that truly hit the spot:

Warm almond cake with vanilla ice-cream at Hotel Villa de Ábalos.

Warm almond cake with vanilla ice-cream at Hotel Villa de Ábalos.

All this was served in a pleasant dining room you see here:

Dining room at Hotel Villa de Ábalos, Spain.

Dining room at Hotel Villa de Ábalos, Spain.

I would also like to mention the owner of this fine hotel makes his own wine, which is very good, especially the white. A bottle with dinner or afterwards is a great addition to the meal. Here’s a photo of the bottle:

Preferred wine at Hotel Villa de Ábalos.

Preferred wine at Hotel Villa de Ábalos.

When traveling, be sure to enjoy the local cuisine as much as possible.

Published in: on June 26, 2014 at 9:43 am  Leave a Comment  
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Lunch in Belchite, Spain

While roaming about Spain, of course one of my favorite things to do is enjoy a “local” meal. There’s hardly a bar-restaurante, truck stop, roadside stand, or snack shack that doesn’t catch my attention. That being the case, I have to make a selection and take my chances. Well, while in the tiny town of Belchite, Spain, I found the perfect spot. A corner place, with an awning and a few tables outside where the local older gents were having a chat. To this day, I’m not sure of the name of this place, but here’s a photo of the outside:

Exterior of a great little corner bar/restaurant in Belchite, Spain.

Exterior of a great little corner bar/restaurant in Belchite, Spain.

Going inside, I found several more guys at the bar, enjoying a tapas-style snack.

The tapas bar at a local joint in Belchite, Spain.

The tapas bar at a local joint in Belchite, Spain.

This place had a fine variety of tasty tapas, and I ordered several to make a meal.

Tortilla española and more at a local joint in Belchite, Spain.

Tortilla española and more at a local joint in Belchite, Spain.

Note the ice-cold Coca-Cola backing up the tapas. And there were plenty more, including these:

More tapas at a local joint in Belchite, Spain.

More tapas at a local joint in Belchite, Spain.

This was a great meal, served by a friendly lady who ran the place with a smile. I asked a few questions about the town, the bar, and such, which she was happy to answer, thereby giving me some local insight. Amazingly, the whole adventure cost me less than 15 euros. That’s an incredible value and a fun way to spend a few hours. Enjoy every meal!

Published in: on June 19, 2014 at 7:18 am  Comments (1)  
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Café Emma, Barcelona, Spain

Café Emma is one of those places I like to find while traveling, a pleasant stop for a meal or a snack, and some local gossip. Since it was located near my hotel, I popped in here for breakfast on my way walking about Barcelona.

Café Emma on Pau Claris, Barcelona, Spain.

Café Emma on Pau Claris, Barcelona, Spain.

They serve typical Spanish style dishes, and over the course of several days, I tried various ones.

Window at Café Emma, Barcelona, Spain.

Window at Café Emma, Barcelona, Spain.

Of course, an omelette is among my favorite breakfast foods, and this one contained onions, mushrooms, and potatoes:

Onion, mushroom, and potato omelette at Café Emma, Barcelona.

Onion, mushroom, and potato omelette at Café Emma, Barcelona.

Notice the “pan con tomate,” there, which means bread with tomato that you see at the top of the plate. It is a nice accompaniment. I also sampled the small bocadillo con salchichón that you see in the next photo:

Bocadillo con salchichón at Café Emma, Barcelona, Spain.

Bocadillo con salchichón at Café Emma, Barcelona, Spain.

The atmosphere at Café Emma is decidedly relaxed, the service friendly, and the menu what you would expect. Linger and enjoy.

Published in: on June 18, 2014 at 5:45 am  Leave a Comment  
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Joséphine, Barcelona (restaurant)

Located in an upscale neighborhood on Pau Claris, Joséphine delivers atmosphere from a bygone age, complete with live music, fine food, and a great bar.

Joséphine, located on Pau Claris, Barcelona, Spain.

Joséphine, located on Pau Claris, Barcelona, Spain.

Seating inside and out provides options for all. I took a seat inside for supper one evening.

Dining room at Joséphine, Barcelona, Spain.

Dining room at Joséphine, Barcelona, Spain.

Tasty and well-presented food arrives thanks to a friendly staff. I tried a special of the night, which was a tenderloin served atop hot coals with artichokes and peppers:

Tenderloin atop hot coals at Joséphine, Barcelona, Spain.

Tenderloin atop hot coals at Joséphine, Barcelona, Spain.

This dish was excellent because the coals stayed hot for quite a while, enabling me to let the meat cook to exactly my style. Of course, dessert was a must. Take a look at this chocolate cake and ice-cream:

Chocolate cake with ice cream at Joséphine, Barcelona, Spain.

Chocolate cake with ice cream at Joséphine, Barcelona, Spain.

As sometimes happens, I was too busy eating and talking to photograph the starter salads, one Caesar, one mixed, both fresh, crispy, and delicious. Had a few cocktails after the meal while enjoying a woman singer who provided entertainment. And the people watching here is another bonus. A great experience while visiting Barcelona.

Published in: on June 17, 2014 at 5:51 am  Comments (1)  
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
« Older Entries
Newer Entries »