Restaurante Botín, Madrid (2014)

Restaurante Botín has the honor of being the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the world. And for good reason. I’ve eaten here many times and each time it has been fantastic.

Restaurante Botín, Madrid, Spain.

Restaurante Botín, Madrid, Spain.

It’s located just off the Plaza Mayor. A reservation is a good idea, but I’ve often just popped in and got a table. I keep the meals simple here, going with traditional favorites and always starting with a bottle of wine.

A bottle of Rueda at Restaurante Botín, Madrid, Spain.

A bottle of Rueda at Restaurante Botín, Madrid, Spain.

I started this particular lunch with a salad, but forget to snap a photo until I was half way through:

Half way through my salad at Restaurante Botín, Madrid, Spain.

Half way through my salad at Restaurante Botín, Madrid, Spain.

For the main dish, I like traditional local fare, such as this roast chicken with potatoes:

Roast chicken with potatoes at Restaurante Botín, Madrid, Spain.

Roast chicken with potatoes at Restaurante Botín, Madrid, Spain.

It was perfectly cooked and delicious, served by professional staff that know the business. Of course, dessert and coffee is a must. Here you have a chocolate cake and apple torte, two favorites:

Dessert at Restaurante Botín, Madrid, Spain.

Dessert at Restaurante Botín, Madrid, Spain.

I look forward to returning soon to Botín. Enjoy every meal and take your time!

Published in: on July 28, 2014 at 2:32 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Restaurante Corrillo, Salamanca, Spain (2014)

Restaurante Corrillo is located around the corner from many of the major attractions in the heart of old Salamanca. Here you can have a tasty lunch, a decent bottle of wine, and enjoy the local scene.

Restaurante Corillo, Salamanca, Spain.

Restaurante Corrillo, Salamanca, Spain.

We went with choices from the menu of the day, starting with a shrimp cocktail:

Shrimp cocktail at Restaurante Corillo, Salamanca, Spain.

Shrimp cocktail at Restaurante Corrillo, Salamanca, Spain.

And squid in ink that you see next:

Squid in ink at Restaurante Corillo, Salamanca, Spain.

Squid in ink at Restaurante Corrillo, Salamanca, Spain.

Our main course was chicken in an apple reduction that was quite tasty:

Chicken with apple glaze at Restaurante Corillo, Salamanca, Spain.

Chicken with apple glaze at Restaurante Corrillo, Salamanca, Spain.

Of course there was a bottle of wine to enjoy, another delicious albariño:

Wine at Restaurante Corillo, Salamanca, Spain.

Wine at Restaurante Corrillo, Salamanca, Spain.

And don’t forget dessert!

Dessert at Restaurante Corillo, Salamanca, Spain.

Dessert at Restaurante Corrillo, Salamanca, Spain.

We lingered here, taking a break from walking through the heat of the day. There’s plenty to see and do in Salamanca, including a spectacular basilica. More on that soon.

Published in: on July 20, 2014 at 10:49 am  Leave a Comment  
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An afternoon in Cambados, Spain

Cambados, Spain is a pleasant town on the Atlantic coast of Galicia. There is a stoic main square of stone buildings that you see here:

Plaza Mayor in Cambados, Spain.

Plaza Mayor in Cambados, Spain.

There are several winery shops located here, places where you might find a new favorite or a good deal by the case, especially on the local albariño. There’s also a handsome church.

Church in Cambados, Spain.

Church in Cambados, Spain.

Inside the church you’ll find some remarkable sacred artwork.

Inside the church at Cambados, Spain.

Inside the church at Cambados, Spain.

Take your time and stop in to one of those local joints for a glass of wine and a snack.

Wine and crisps in Cambados, Spain.

Wine and crisps in Cambados, Spain.

There’s also plenty of options for shopping and dining.

Shopping and dining in Cambados, Spain.

Shopping and dining in Cambados, Spain.

And then wander over to the waterfront where you’ll find all manner of boats such as these:

Fishing boats in Cambados, Spain.

Fishing boats in Cambados, Spain.

You can hire a boat to take you fishing or to just go for a sail around the bay.

More boats in Cambados, Spain.

More boats in Cambados, Spain.

Cambados is one of those pleasant towns in Spain that you’re sure to enjoy. Not a whole lot going on, but that’s the way I like it. I parked in a spot along a street and asked a couple of older gents if it was okay to leave the car there. They said, “Sure. All week if you want.” Nice guys in a nice place.

Published in: on July 12, 2014 at 1:50 pm  Comments (3)  
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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.

Published in: on July 11, 2014 at 9:53 am  Leave a Comment  
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