Alma de Julián Becerro, Madrid

On Calle Cava Baja in Madrid, among all those wondering tapas joints, you’ll find Alma de Julián Becerro, a shop par excellence for some of the best jamón in all of Spain.

Alma de Julián Becerro, Madrid.

Alma de Julián Becerro, Madrid.

Inside there are many varieties of jamón to purchase in different price ranges.

Jamónes hanging on the wall at Alma de Julián Becerro, Madrid.

Jamónes hanging on the wall at Alma de Julián Becerro, Madrid.

There’s always a skilled and knowledgeable fellow there ready to give you information about the meats as well as to slice them for you, perhaps from this selection in the middle of the store:

Various jamónes available for slicing at Alma de Julián Becerro.

Various jamónes available for slicing at Alma de Julián Becerro.

Or, you might choose a pre-sliced pack from the case such as one of these:

Prepacked meats and wine at Alma de Julián Becerro, Madrid, Spain.

Prepacked meats and wine at Alma de Julián Becerro, Madrid, Spain.

Don’t forget to select a delicious bottle of wine. There are so many good foods to choose from in Spain that you’ll find yourself wanting to stay for a long, long time.

Published in: on July 26, 2014 at 4:05 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Mercado San Miguel, Madrid (2014)

For a culinary extravaganza in Madrid’s old town, go directly to Mercado San Miguel, adjacent to the Plaza Mayor.

Mercado San Miguel, Madrid, Spain.

Mercado San Miguel, Madrid, Spain.

Inside you’ll find every type of food both prepared and not. Let’s start with fresh fruits and vegetables:

Fresh fruit and vegetables at Mercado San Miguel, Madrid, Spain.

Fresh fruit and vegetables at Mercado San Miguel, Madrid, Spain.

If you like fresh seafood, you can have that too!

Fresh seafood at Mercado San Miguel, Madrid, Spain.

Fresh seafood at Mercado San Miguel, Madrid, Spain.

Now how about some olives?

Olives and more at Mercado San Miguel, Madrid, Spain.

Olives and more at Mercado San Miguel, Madrid, Spain.

Back to seafood, how about some oysters?

Oysters at Mercado San Miguel, Madrid, Spain.

Oysters at Mercado San Miguel, Madrid, Spain.

Of course, there’s plenty more, such as fresh-roasted nuts of all types:

Mercado San Miguel, Madrid, Spain.

Fresh nutz at Mercado San Miguel, Madrid, Spain.

And you can have a seat here while you enjoy your snacks:

Dining area at Mercado San Miguel, Madrid, Spain.

Dining area at Mercado San Miguel, Madrid, Spain.

Don’t forget some bread or pizza:

Mercado San Miguel, Madrid, Spain.

Bread and pizza at Mercado San Miguel, Madrid, Spain.

Of course you’ll need something sweet, too, right?

at Mercado San Miguel, Madrid, Spain.

Sweets at Mercado San Miguel, Madrid, Spain.

There are these things and much, much more at this market, including wine, beer, raw honey, delicious cheeses, literally everything. So go hungry and plan to stay a while.

Published in: on July 25, 2014 at 2:49 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Hotel Palacio San Facundo, Segovia (2014)

Hotel Palacio San Facundo stands on its own tiny square very close to the heart of Segovia’s old town.

Hotel Palacio San Facundo, Segovia, Spain.

Hotel Palacio San Facundo, Segovia, Spain.

From here, it is an easy walk to the Plaza Mayor, cathedral, and many great restaurants. I took a standard room for this visit.

Standard room at Hotel Palacio San Facundo, Segovia, Spain.

Standard room at Hotel Palacio San Facundo, Segovia, Spain.

And here’s view of the bathroom as well:

Bathroom in standard room at Hotel Palacio San Facundo, Segovia, Spain.

Bathroom in standard room at Hotel Palacio San Facundo, Segovia, Spain.

Sleeping here was easy, as the hotel is away from the bustle of the plaza mayor. Yet only a couple of blocks away you’ll find some great places for snacks and drinks. Also, this central courtyard provides an excellent space for dining or business meetings.

Courtyard of Hotel Palacio San Facundo, Segovia, Spain.

Courtyard of Hotel Palacio San Facundo, Segovia, Spain.

The hotel has onsite parking, which may be useful if your traveling by car. Staff are friendly and helpful, providing great recommendations for dining and the sights to see. Take your time, but do as much as you can.

Published in: on July 24, 2014 at 12:34 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Restaurante El Bernadino, 2014

As long as we’re in Segovia, Spain, let’s stop for lunch at El Bernadino, another favorite of mine, where I have dined many times.

Restaurante El Bernadino, Segovia, Spain.

Restaurante El Bernadino, Segovia, Spain.

Here you’ll find all the traditional foods of Segovia and Spain in general. You can sit inside or out. I like to sit inside.

Interior of Restaurante El Bernadino, Segogia, Spain.

Interior of Restaurante El Bernadino, Segogia, Spain.

I started with the fabada Asturiana, a delicious bean soup that could have been the entire meal, as you see in the next photo:

Fabada Asturiana at El Bernadino, Segovia, Spain.

Fabada Asturiana at El Bernadino, Segovia, Spain.

Next I had the roast baby pig, which I did not take a photo of because I was enthusiastically enjoying the meal. Sorry about that. However, here’s a look at dessert:

Dessert at Restaurante El Bernadino, Segovia, Spain.

Dessert at Restaurante El Bernadino, Segovia, Spain.

While this restaurant does serve quite a few tourists, you will not the significant population of locals dining there, too. It’s a busy place, but there are three levels of seating so you’re sure to get a table quickly. Enjoy a bottle of wine from the extensive list. Worth every euro.

 

Published in: on July 23, 2014 at 9:38 am  Leave a Comment  
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