Serious Jamón

If you’re serious about your jamón, especially the ibérico, then you’ll have to make a pilgrimage to Spain and visit one of the many shops that specialize in this delicious delicacy. During my recent trip, I found myself wandering about the streets of Madrid, eventually to Cava Baja, where there are a number of fine tapas joints. Lo and behold! There stands Alma de Ibérico at number 41 Cava Baja, the shop you see in the photo below:

While I stood by with my mouth watering, I watched a master carve off the thinest slices for a nice lady. These slices are so thin, they melt in your mouth, releasing all the flavor of a well-cured meat. Now, just in case you want to purchase your jamón intact and do the carving yourself, check out the selection below with yours truly grinning at the possibilities:

Take your pick! It is tempting but not inexpensive. Then again, the good things in life are never cheap. At any rate, if you find yourself in Madrid, on Cava Baja, make a stop here. You won’t be disappointed.

Published in: on May 4, 2010 at 4:22 am  Leave a Comment  
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Gnomes take over Aruba!

Check out this wall I spotted in Aruba. The gnomes are taking over.

This was only a portion of the wall. Pulling back, you’ll see they went all the way to the end.

Then there was the rest of the wall, which stretched about 30 feet in the other direction. Amazing. That’s quite a collection. If you’re driving through the rural part of Balashi, on the way up to Jamanota, you’ll see this display in Aruba. Be careful. I’m not sure what those gnomes are up to.

Published in: on April 14, 2010 at 11:03 pm  Leave a Comment  
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The Skylane

The Cessna 182 is sometimes referred to as the Skylane, and for good reason. It’s a slightly larger and much more powerful aircraft than the 172. It has the power to get up and go and keep going for quite a while. I was doing some writing at my local airport today and snapped this picture of a prime example of the machine:

It was a beautiful day for flying, crystal blue sky, light westerly breeze, and this 182 headed out to enjoy it. Stop by your local airport and watch the planes. It’s fun!

Published in: on April 11, 2010 at 5:53 pm  Leave a Comment  
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New York Chicken

There are probably tens of thousands of places to eat lunch in New York City. We all fall in for favorites, or try the new joint, or just grab something off the shelf to hold us over. Either way, it’s hard to miss in New York. At least I think so.

In the course of countless visits to the city, I typically end up in the vicinity of Rockefeller Center. Downstairs in the concourse is a place called Cucina & Co. Not a very original name, but a very reliable stop for lunch. In particular, if you like a nice roast chicken, this place does it right. Considering the location, the price is fair as well. Take a look at this bird:

That’s half a roast chicken on top of a small mountain of mashed potatoes. It was roasted to absolute perfection, not pink, not dry, just right. This plate and a salad to start runs about $20. It’s enough food to hold you over to the next day and that’s a good deal.

Published in: on April 10, 2010 at 11:49 am  Leave a Comment  
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