Holiday Gastro, Eno & Steeped in The Arts Destinations ..

[Alexandria Profile]

Saturday Evening 21.00, May 25th ..

Heading over to The George Orwell Plaza for some
very casual Greek Mezze on the Plaza, outdoors.

Restaurant Dionisosis
Reservations Highly Suggested: (93) 268 - 2472
Neighborhood Born

Not the best Greek in Barcelona,
however, it is a casual relaxed
ambiance with lots of people
watching.

We always share the Greek Mezze and have a bottle of
Greek Wine or a Bottle of Cava and hot oven baked
Pita bread.

I highly suggest Taberna Griega, in Gràzia or El Magraner Boig
in Eiample, if you wish a more classic Greek ambiance.

Have a lovely weekend.

[Alexandria Profile]

Tuesday .. 27th May ..

This morning we were in Vigo, Rias
Baixas, southern Galicia. We
visited the Mirador del Castro
Look Out Point, the historic plaza
located a few metres from the bustling
Port, had some extraordinary tapas & wine
and / or beers,
and then had an amazing panoramic
coach tour of the city.

At 17.00 we shall be headed to Cambados,
the wine designation of The Albariño Grape
to visit a Winery, and have an extraordinary
tasting.

Lunch shall be at a Spa Hotel, Four Star,
that is a world of sensations. Shall write more
about the gastro part of the "Circuit" at earliest
convenience. In a seaside town, the Comarca,
or Zone of Salnés which is famous for its ancient
architecture, shellfish
and Albariño wines.
Have a wonderful week.
Best wishes from Galicia.

[Alexandria Profile]

Wednesday 29th .. Baiona, Galicia.

Our 1st stop this morning was Baiona,
an exceptionally amazing town, with an incredible
Parador Hotel ( a fortress on The Atlantic ) ..
Lunch shall be here .. At 14.00 ..
www.parador.es ( Click: English )

Then, we shall be off on an excursión to Northern
Portugal, and on way back to Galicia, a stop
in La Guardia, a small seaside city, with some of
the best lobster and octopus. Also renowned for
the wonderful O´ Rosal White Wines, made up of
a trio of ancient grape varieties.

Have a lovely day.

[Alexandria Profile]

Lunch Wednesday May 29th ..

Today we lunched at the Parador
Hotel Restaurant in Baiona,
32 km. south of Pontevedra.

I had the Pulpo a Feira (Octopus),
served with Cachelos (a Galician
Potato with a pale yellowish
creamy interior) served on a
wooden board, which is
very traditional Galician and
sprinkled with lots of Smoked
Pimentón Paprika & drizzled with
Ecological Evoo.

The wine pairing was Filloba 100% Albariño ..

My next dish was a selection of
Galician Cheeses, Galician Breads (Hogaza) and fresh
fruit:

Touza Vella - a fresh goat cheese ( D.O. Ourense )
Savel - a cow blue with a "roquefort type" texture (D.O. Lugo )
Ceibreiro - a 60 % cow and 40% goat cheese which is divine ( D.O. Lugo )
Galmesano - a 12 month aged, a 24 month aged and a 36 month aged cow cheese with a similar
production process to Reggiano Parmigiani from Arzúa, Galicia.

The cheeses were served with Galician Liquors including their amazing Monterrei Café Liquor ..

Have a nice evening.

[Alexandria Profile]

30th May Thursday´s Itinerary is:

O´Grove, Isla de Toja and Pontevedra City ..

O´Grove is known for its sea scallops, oysters,
mussels and we shall take a Catamarán ( sort of
a small Ferry type sea vessel ) to Isla de Toja
and cruise the Port and coast ..

Pontevedra is an incredible city chockful
of history. The Museum of Galician Expressionism
Art is one of the best museums on the Iberian
Peninsula specialising in Civil War 1936 - 1939
Paintings. It is emotionally penetrating to every bone in one´s
body. The XVI Basilica Santa Maria houses sculptures and paintings
one never has realised existed.

The architecture is quite amazing and a complete tour of
the city is most worthwhile .. A stop for Galician Tapas
and Wines is always most enjoyed after sight seeing.

Best wishes from Galicia.

[Alexandria Profile]

Thursday Lunch - 30th May, 2019 ..

The lunch menú at the
Spanish Parador, Casa da Baron,
in the centre of the Historic City
of Pontevedra had been our
destination today.

My lunch was:

A salad with wild cod ..

My main was the Caldeirada, which is a fish stew
of the daily wild catches and vegetables of the
neighboring farms.

Dessert: Filloa Rellena de Manzana, an Apple filled
crepe.

Wine: 100 % Albariño, Señorans de Pazo.

Very lovely and light ..

Have a wonderful weekend ahead.

[Alexandria Profile]

Friday the 31st May ..

Destination today is A Coruña ..

We shall be meeting our local guide,
a native of A Coruña to see the city.
The city is quite enchanting possessing
a lovely Port and and it is situated on two
bays ..

Lunch shall be in A Coruña City.

The Hércules Tower, a
lighthouse which functions as one, and is
one of the oldest in the world is a
Unesco Protected Monument and
a total marvel ..

The coast beaches, Orzán and Riazor are
breathtakingly beautiful.

To be continued over the weekend.

Have a lovely weekend.

[Alexandria Profile]

1st June, Saturday.

The renowned city of Santiago de Compostela ..

In an era that etols high technology and high voltage
communications, Santiago de Compostela can be
singled out as one of the most amazingly stunning
historical cities on the Iberian Peninsula.

And one of the best cities for Gastro Eno pleasures !

Shall be continuing with more details at the weekend.

Have a lovely weekend ..

[Alexandria Profile]

1st June, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia.

The Parador Network, is celebrating its
91st Anniversary (1928 - Present) and the
lunch pre fix is simply delighting. One can
also order a la carte.

Santiago de Compostela is a treasure for that
alchemy between the product ( wild and fresh )
and the precious jewel of this provincial heritage.

Galicia is rich in nuances and in the Galician kitchens,
the senses come alive and the products and the récipes
are given the respect they deserve.

Lunch 1st June:

1st were a wide variety of fresly caught wild shellfish including Oysters,
Clams, Goose Neck Barnacles called Percebes in Spanish, steamed Mussels
in White wine, Grilled Razor Clams and Grilled Norway Bay Lobsters, called
Dublin Prawns or Scampi ..

The starter:

Sea scallops prepared in the traditional French
manner, Coquille Saint Jacqués.

The Main:

Since, I have been eating shellfish, seafood and fish
for 8 days, 7 nights, I ordered the Steak Tartare.

It was elegantly exquisitely sublime refinement.

Desserts: I rarely eat sweets and so, I had the Galician
Cheese Board and some fruit which was served with the
heavenly Northern Galician cheeses, from boutique
producers ..

Had an array of Galician liquors to pair with the cheese
board.

Amazing lunch ..

Have a lovely weekend.




What are the hallmarks of the Paradores Kitchens ?

At the Paradores of Spain, visitors, from nearby or foreigners,
have the opportunity to taste the wealth of the
región and the country of Spain, they are visiting.

All dishes are traditional with innovative evolutionary
touches ..

[jeral Profile]

Member 461, why do you describe that steak tartare as "It was elegantly exquisitely sublime refinement." ?

With the best will in the world, minced (ground) beef is just that however seasoned or displayed. So elegant and refinement I could get, but how did they make raw minced beef exquisitely sublime - hopefully not the addition of a slimy raw egg ?

I'd probably concentrate on the glorious vistas you speak of

[Alexandria Profile]

Jeral,

I have eaten Steak Tartare around the globe and
believe me, this steak tartare is equisitely sublime.
The steak tartare, does not have a " raw "
heavy ground beef taste .. It is light and
seasoned to perfection, even though it is raw.

Why ? You shall have to have lunch at the Parador
of Santiago de Compostela !!!

No, runny eggs either .. Not my cup of tea.

But a tiny mound of luxury, Osetra Golden Caviar ..

Truly amazing ! And served with a gorgeous
Red wine from Ribera de Sacra, Ourense, Galicia.

Have a lovely day. Incredible city !

[Alexandria Profile]

Sunday Evening 2nd June ..

Circuit tour group 1 is officially over ..

So, one day rest, in Santiago de Compostela ..

The next circuit tour which begins on Tuesday the 4th shall
be taking us to: Costero por Las Rias, which is the coast of
The Inlets and Bays which surround the islands and the Atlantic
of Galicia on the northwestern coast of Spain.

Most of this trip is via ferries .. Privately chartered for our
Clientel.

I shall be travelling to O´Grove tomorrow after lunch to meet
the Group for dinner ..

So, I am so pleased to be able to spend some free time
enjoying Santiago de Compostela by myself ..

The Bays and Inlets we shall be exploring on this trip include:

The Ria de Arousa, and the Islands of Salvora and Ribeira Isla
de A Toxa.

This is located close to Pontevedra.

Then on day two, we shall explore the Ria de Arousa, Island
Boiro. There is an amazing Museum on the Island, which is
dedicated to the author Valle Incián. The monuments on
these islands date back to the year 1.000 ..

Then on day 3, we shall go to the Rio of Pontevedra and
the villages of Polo, Combarro and the city of Pontevedra.

Day 4, we shall go to the Islas Ciés and the Island of
San Simón and the city of Vigo.

This is a very lovely Circuit Tour and being out on the
Bays, is just amazing ..

Day 5, we shall be visiting an O´ Rosal Winery and villages of
Tui and La Guardia.

Have a lovely June ahead.

[Rainbow Profile]

Member 461, why do you describe that steak tartare as "It was elegantly exquisitely sublime refinement." ?

With the best will in the world, minced (ground) beef is just that however seasoned or displayed. So elegant and refinement I could get, but how did they make raw minced beef exquisitely sublime - hopefully not the addition of a slimy raw egg ?

I'd probably concentrate on the glorious vistas you speak of

Have to agree, Jeral. That sort of hyperbole is something I rarely hear English speakers use, and sounds just over the top to me!!

[Renee Profile]

Member 461, I am enjoying reading your postings about the places that you visit and most of all the lovely food that you are enjoying! I realise now what I have missed by not visiting Spain!

"The monuments on these islands date back to the year 1.000 .. " How incredible! I would have loved to have seen those!

[Alexandria Profile]

Renée,

Thank you so much for the lovely
compliments.

Galicia is a "Celtic Stronghold" ..

Unfortunately, though I have tried a billion
times, I cannot seem to upload photographs
on the Forum.

Perhaps because I am using Lap Top or
Desk Top verses Cell Mobile ..

I do not like to over load the Phone, as it
reduces " battery life terribly " ..

When I return home, my dear shall assist,
in this .. He is well versed in I.T. Technology
and perhaps it is " a technological " problem
from my system to The Fórum.

We have had a similar issue from Pc To Mac,
sending PDFs ..

So it is probable !

Have a wonderful June and lovely summer too !!

[Renee Profile]

Thank you Member 461! I look forward very much to seeing some photos on your return. I find it easy enough to post photos from home, using my desktop computer, but would be completely lost sending them from my tablet or mobile phone when away! I'm sure that there is a way, but it would mean a lot of reading up for me!

[Alexandria Profile]

Renée,

Thank you for your feedback ..

Have a lovely month of June and
it is always a pleasure to hear from
you !

[Renee Profile]

Enjoy your next circuit tour Member 461! It sounds a wonderful trip. Have you been to this area previously? I need to look up some of the places that you will be visiting.

[Alexandria Profile]

Renée,

Yes, Dear.

I have been to Galicia
uncountable times.

Shall catch up with you.

Have a lovely day.

[karadekoolaid Profile]

I would love to visit Galicia one day. When, I don´t know - but we had many Galician friends here in Caracas who cooked absolutely sublime food. fron
About 10 years ago, I went to a wine-tasting of wines from El Valle del Duero, with a French-Canadian friend. The sommelier who directed the tasting - a New Zealander -was renowned expert in wines from that region. We tried four different reds; two from the "old " school and two from the "avant-garde" wine producers. For the life of me, alas, I cannot remember the names, but I do remember that all of them were utterly delightful.
Enjoy your trip to Galicia, Member 461!