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)  
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Tortilla Española

Also known as the Spanish Tortilla, this dish is a favorite of mine, especially when enjoyed in Madrid. Since I happen to elsewhere at the moment, I decided to make myself this simple treat. All you need is olive oil, potatoes, onion, a couple eggs, and a hot stove. Dice up the potatoes and fry them with chopped onions (you can add bits of ham or other stuff to your taste) in the olive oil about 10 minutes. Drain off the oil. Whisk the eggs in a pot then dump in the potatoes and onions. Mix it all together gently then pour back into the frying pan on med-low heat. Keep the edges nice and neat with the spatula; you’re going for a pie-like look here. When the one side is cooked, carefully flip the cooking tortilla over onto a plate then slip it back into the pan to cook that other side. (This can be tricky.) When cooked firm all the way through, onto a plate it goes and you’re ready to eat. Here’s a photo of my tortilla with accessories for my Spanish snack last night.

That was a great little meal. As soon as I come up with a reliable source for jamón iberico, I’ll be loving life that much more. Naturally, the albariño wine kicks things up a notch. Even if you can’t get there, you can still enjoy the tastes of your favorite travel spots. Enjoy the journey wherever it takes you.

Published in: on May 6, 2012 at 5:14 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Restaurante Túnel de Hada, Spain

Restaurante Túnel de Hada is located in the hotel and spa of the same name, in Jerte, Spain. The Jerte Valley itself is famous for its cherry trees and you’ll find that influence in the food prepared for you at the restaurant. Seating is divided into several areas which offers a bit of privacy/romance, which was much appreciated during my stay. Here’s a view into the spot where our table was situated.

Those ancient walls lend ambiance and gravitas to the setting. The meal began with a sort of palette cleanser, a sorbet of sorts that I find very difficult to describe. It was tasty and functional and here’s a look at the presentation.

Note the flat and hollow-ware. Very tasteful, understated, and always set upon the table with grace and care. Staff here are top notch. Well, the next course was a single, large ravioli-type pocket of pasta which was served in a bowl and then the waitress poured over a warm, creamy garlic soup. A truly simple, yet striking combination of flavors. Here it is in the combined state.

Then came the main courses. One was duck with a dense cherry sauce seen here.

Very vibrant that dish! The other was pork with the thinest slices of potato layered in, as seen next.

Both of these dishes were superb. The cherries are the most local ingredient and were integrated nicely without being overbearing. This is something I like very much about Spain. Each region, even within a region, you find specific foods that are native and used creatively. Thus, while traveling along you experience a great many treats as opposed to one long, homogenized theme. Back to Túnel de Hada. It was time for dessert. We opted for the cherry sorbet and apple tort.

Again, check out that presentation. These people work hard at getting everything right, every detail, only to have me mow it down. Respectfully, of course. If you find yourself traversing the Jerte Valley, you would be well served to enjoy a meal here. (Please note, these photos were from a visit conducted during April 2010. I only recently realized I had not previously posted them. In other words, the menu may have changed.)

Published in: on May 30, 2011 at 10:05 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Posada Casa Vieja, Spain

Posada Casa Vieja, located in Turégano (not far from Segovia) stands on an old village square that will take you back centuries. The photo below hangs on the wall in the dining room, along with several others taken during the early days of photography through the 1920’s or so.

The posada itself is the building on the left with the three balconied windows on the upper level. Not much has changed in the past couple of hundred years as you can see from the next photo.

We happened upon this place in search of a good supper. (Sadly, supper the night before was awful and I needed culinary redemption to preserve my faith in Spanish cooking.) I saw local families loitering near this place and decided to pop in and see what was on offer. Upon entering the building you’re in the taberna, which is a welcoming spot for drinks and small fare.

The fellow behind the bar is the owner (third generation at this point) and he works hard keeping his customers happy, as does his waitstaff who left no need unfulfilled. So, we take a seat in the dining room where those photos are hanging.

After ordering, I scope out the photos which show village life back in the day in black and white glory. Things were not easy back then but the people have risen to the challenge. Then the food arrives. After a couple of salads, a sea bass filet comes.

Sorry about the shaky photography. There was wine, too. Then a bit or roast baby pig.

That dish is famous in this part of Spain. Don’t pass it up. Tasty, crispy, very good! After the meal, I learned my waitress was originally from Poland but now living in Spain with her husband and baby on the way. The owner and I also had a nice chat about my other favorite restaurant in Aruba, Casa Vieja, which is a Colombian joint. He laughed at that and my rudimentary Spanish. Then we were on our way for a good night’s sleep before trekking on through the hills and dales of España the next day.

Published in: on July 10, 2010 at 12:47 pm  Leave a Comment  
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