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!

Published in: on July 10, 2014 at 6:33 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Supper, Villa de Ábalos, Spain

While staying overnight at the Hotel Villa de Ábalos, I highly recommend eating supper there. When you make your reservation, be sure to let them know you would like to dine as well. It is a truly home-cooked, Spanish meal. The menu changes with the seasons and the availability of fresh ingredients. Here is the carta as provided during my visit:

Menu for supper at Hotel Villa de Ábalos.

Menu for supper at Hotel Villa de Ábalos.

These little gems were presented to start the meal:

A little something to start the meal at Hotel Villa de Ábalos, Spain.

A little something to start the meal at Hotel Villa de Ábalos, Spain.

The two appetizers were creative and delicious. The first was a leeks and spinach terrine that you see in the next photo:

Leek and spinach terrine appetizer at Hotel Villa de Ábalos, Spain.

Leek and spinach terrine appetizer at Hotel Villa de Ábalos, Spain.

The other appetizer was a sautéed vegetable medley that I was so anxious to eat, I forgot to snap a photo. But, next came the entrée, and what a fantastic one it was. Slowly cooked oxtail then removed from the bone and placed inside a sort of dumpling with a very nice sauce, as you see in the next photo:

Oxtail presented inside a dumpling for supper at Hotel Villa de Ábalos.

Oxtail presented inside a dumpling for supper at Hotel Villa de Ábalos.

This incredible meal was finished with a warm almond cake and vanilla ice-cream that truly hit the spot:

Warm almond cake with vanilla ice-cream at Hotel Villa de Ábalos.

Warm almond cake with vanilla ice-cream at Hotel Villa de Ábalos.

All this was served in a pleasant dining room you see here:

Dining room at Hotel Villa de Ábalos, Spain.

Dining room at Hotel Villa de Ábalos, Spain.

I would also like to mention the owner of this fine hotel makes his own wine, which is very good, especially the white. A bottle with dinner or afterwards is a great addition to the meal. Here’s a photo of the bottle:

Preferred wine at Hotel Villa de Ábalos.

Preferred wine at Hotel Villa de Ábalos.

When traveling, be sure to enjoy the local cuisine as much as possible.

Published in: on June 26, 2014 at 9:43 am  Leave a Comment  
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Hotel Marques de Riscal, bar

Hotel Marques de Riscal, located in Elciego, Spain, is quite a sight to see. There’s also a bar there where you can taste various wines and enjoy the surroundings. Here’s a look at the bar itself:

Interior of the bar at Hotel Marques de Riscal, Elciego, Spain.

Interior of the bar at Hotel Marques de Riscal, Elciego, Spain.

And here’s a small selection of wines available:

Wines available at the bar in the Hotel Marques de Riscal, Elciego, Spain.

Wines available at the bar in the Hotel Marques de Riscal, Elciego, Spain.

Naturally, you’ll want to have a little snack with your wine, and here’s a good example:

Snacks with wine at Hotel Marques de Riscal, Elciego, Spain.

Snacks with wine at Hotel Marques de Riscal, Elciego, Spain.

There’s comfortable banquet seating on the other side of the room with evidence of past enjoyment on the wall.

A wall of wine at Hotel Marques de Riscal, Elciego, Spain.

A wall of wine at Hotel Marques de Riscal, Elciego, Spain.

Plenty of bottles there! You may want to step out to the terrace for a view of the town of Elciego and the adjacent vineyards as you see in the next photo:

Terrace at Hotel Marques de Riscal, Elciego, Spain.

Terrace at Hotel Marques de Riscal, Elciego, Spain.

If you’re passing through the La Rioja region of Spain, this is a must see place. Take the tour of the “Ciudad de Vino,” have a glass on wine, and make the most of it.

 

Published in: on June 24, 2014 at 9:35 am  Leave a Comment  
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Wine Station

Walking through the Miami International Airport, I passed by this clever device, appropriately labeled “WINE STATION.”

Wine Station vino dispenser.

Wine Station vino dispenser.

These machines have been around for a long time, serving restaurants and bars by providing a convenient way to dispense wine by the glass while keeping what remains in the bottle fresh. Clever idea, one I think would be very helpful for home use. Hmmmm…..

Published in: on December 13, 2013 at 2:10 pm  Leave a Comment  
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