Puebla de Sanabria, Spain (2014)

Puebla de Sanabria is one of many towns perched atop a hill in Spain. Every square inch is built upon with winding streets giving access to homes and businesses. Here’s one of the wider streets:

Houses in Puebla de Sanabria, Spain.

Houses in Puebla de Sanabria, Spain.

Eventually, these streets lead to a stately plaza mayor with a government building, castle, and a fine church:

Church in Puebla de Sanabria, Spain.

Church in Puebla de Sanabria, Spain.

Although the facade looks mostly blank, you’ll find some weathered carvings of interest near the door:

Carved statues at church entrance, Puebla de Sanabria, Spain.

Carved statues at church entrance, Puebla de Sanabria, Spain.

Many of the homes and posadas in this town are kept to a very high standard as you see in the next image:

Posada in Puebla de Sanabria, Spain.

Posada in Puebla de Sanabria, Spain.

It’s easy to get lost in these streets so pay attention while ambling about looking for photo opportunities.

Another narrow street in Puebla de Sanabria, Spain.

Another narrow street in Puebla de Sanabria, Spain.

Of course there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy a snack, meal, or drinks, such as this one:

Meson Albadero in Puebla de Sanabria, Spain.

Meson Abelardo in Puebla de Sanabria, Spain.

There’s a huge lake nearby where people enjoy all kinds of activities, which might be just the thing for you. Check out the small towns in Spain. There much more there than you might think.

A Meal in the Country, Spain

Many of the small hotels I like have their own restaurants, most of which are outstanding. Sometimes, given the location, I prefer to eat at the hotel rather than drive into town for a meal. Such was the case at Quinta de San Amaro in Meaño, Spain. Here you can dine inside or out. We decided to sit outside. Soon enough, the waitress brought this starter which got our taste buds excited.

Starter at Quinta de San Amaro, Meaño, Spain.

Starter at Quinta de San Amaro, Meaño, Spain.

Then we enjoyed a very typical dish of grilled vegetables.

Grilled vegetables at Quinta de San Amaro, Meaño, Spain.

Grilled vegetables at Quinta de San Amaro, Meaño, Spain.

Then there were two entrees, one a whole fish fresh from the sea:

Whole fish at at Quinta de San Amaro, Meaño, Spain.

Whole fish at at Quinta de San Amaro, Meaño, Spain.

There was also some nicely cooked pork loin:

Pork loin at at Quinta de San Amaro, Meaño, Spain.

Pork loin at at Quinta de San Amaro, Meaño, Spain.

As with every meal in Spain, why not enjoy a bottle of wine! In this case, another local albariño was the perfect fit with the meal.

Albariño at at Quinta de San Amaro, Meaño, Spain.

Albariño at at Quinta de San Amaro, Meaño, Spain.

This was a very relaxing and leisurely meal, enjoyed outside within just a few yards of the vineyards. One of the joys of traveling is to take your time. Don’t rush it.

Esquina de Miega, Cambados, Spain

On the main street through the center of old Cambados, Spain, you’ll find Esquina de Miega, a local joint where I enjoyed a nice lunch.

Esquina de Miega, Cambados, Spain.

Esquina de Miega, Cambados, Spain.

This is a friendly place that serves the local menu of the day. Take a seat with the locals.

Inside restaurant Esquina de Miega, Cambados, Spain.

Inside restaurant Esquina de Miega, Cambados, Spain.

Started with a nice octopus and ensalada rusa, as part of the menu al dia, both of which you see in the next photo:

First courses at Equina de Miega, Cambados, Spain.

First courses at Esquina de Miega, Cambados, Spain.

Moved on to the main course of roast pork with fries. Simple and tasty as you see here:

Lunch at Esquina de Miega, Cambados, Spain.

Lunch at Esquina de Miega, Cambados, Spain.

These plates would not have been complete without a nice bottle of albariño to enhance the experience. Here’s the one I enjoyed:

A bottle of albariño at Esquina de Miega, Cambados, Spain.

A bottle of albariño at Esquina de Miega, Cambados, Spain.

It was a great lunch served by friendly and cheerful people. It was interesting to hear “bachata” style music playing there. I usually associate that type of music with the Caribbean, but it seems it has spread in popularity. At any rate, more from Spain coming tomorrow!

Cerveceria Rua Bella, Santiago (2014)

As long as we’re on the subject of food in Santiago de Compostela, let’s stop in to Cerveceria Rua Bella.

Cerveceria Rua Bella in Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

Cerveceria Rua Bella in Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

You can sit outside in the front or back, as well as inside:

The bar at Cerveceria Rua Bella, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

The bar at Cerveceria Rua Bella, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

They serve all your favorite dishes here including this ensalada italiana as they call it:

Ensalada italiana at Cerveceria Rua Bella, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

Ensalada italiana at Cerveceria Rua Bella, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

That salad was big enough to share and share we did. And if you like chipirones, check this plate out:

Chipirones, beer, and salad at Cerveceria Rua Bella, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

Chipirones, beer, and salad at Cerveceria Rua Bella, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

There was also a nice dish of sausages cooked in wine that you see next:

Sausages cooked in wine at Cerveceria Rua Bella, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

Sausages cooked in wine at Cerveceria Rua Bella, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

Of course, we must have the local desert, Santiago cake with an ice-cold Coca-Cola.

Desert at Cerveceria Rua Bella, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

Desert at Cerveceria Rua Bella, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

What a great meal, served by friendly people, and enjoyed to the max. Another example of Spanish local flavor that you can enjoy in this famous city. Try as many as you can.