Calle La Laurel Round 2

Had a longer siesta on Thursday afternoon, sleeping from 5:30-7. The timing here is so odd. It took me awhile to get up and we didn’t leave to go eat dinner until around 9pm. Usually that’s when I get ready for bed :) but I’m embracing the Spanish culture. You might wonder, how can you keep eating? It’s tough, but I’m dedicated to my craft.

I found a tapas bar called “Umm No Solo Tapas” which was where we decided to begin this nights walking and eating tour.

“Two gin and tonics please”

“tea?”

“Gin and tonic?”

“Tea and tonic.”

“Gin.”

“Tea and tonic? Ok” with weird disgusted face…

“Gin! Gin!” Finally someone intercedes and helps him. It was like a weird comedy sketch.

To go with the gin and tonic, we ordered olives, carmelized foie gras on baked apples, and tigre en latado. I didn’t know what to expect and didn’t know what latado meant but apparently it means can so nothing to do with what was in there. It looked like an au gratin potato dish and basically tasted like mashed potatoes with crunchy onions on top. The foie was amazing. It was very sweet and much more dessert like with that hard sugar on top.

Tonight’s tapas bars were a bit fancier than night one. This one we ordered just one of these grilled steak or pork on bread with cheese and onions but got two and a gooey croqueta and a house white wine.

Next stop…I saw this guy in the window of a place and jumped with joy as I ordered a plate of 100% Bellota Jamòn. That plate was €15 and that was the “half portion”. It was a good amount of food and just as amazing as I remembered. There is nothing quite like when the pork is freshly sliced. Also his face was so so serious.

We returned to the grill bar and ordered 3 sausages and a glass of wine this time….€4. It’s like elevated street food and a huge food and wine festival except its real life :)

We decided on one more stop and so glad we did. Some of the restaurants have photos outside on the walls that say “specializing” in whatever dish. We passed one that said “patatas Bravas” which is another of my favorite Spanish dishes. This did not disappoint. They were so good. The red sauce had just the right amount of heat and the potatoes were so perfectly cooked. It was the perfect end to another night of nonstop eating (around midnight!)