Here we go again Madrid – Episode IV: El Parador Del Jamon

It’s amazing how in every corner there is a potential place to discover and realise how good Spanish food is. One of the places is El Parador del Jamon. The place was literally beside my hotel, so I passed by a couple times and got intrigued so I decided to go for a late dinner, and when I mean late I mean it as Spanish late (11:00 pm kind of late).

The Place

The Bar

The place is the typical Spanish tapas and bocadillo place. So I decided not get overcomplicated and order straight forward Madrid style kind of snacks while drinking cañas. First, I got Iberico ham mini bocadillo, immediately after battered chicken with honey mustard.

Iberico Ham Bocadillo 

Chicken Strips

But that wasn’t enough so then a revelation came Iberico ham with pan a la Catalana or pan con tomate (tomato and garlic Catalan bread). The Catalan style bread was so good that I had to have more, so I order another two mini bocadillos with the tomato bread of course, one with chorizo and manchego cheese, and the other with lomo Iberico.

Revelation Catalan Tomato Bread 

Another Bocadillo 

And Another Bocadillo

Simple but good, nothing complicated, a relax time, enjoying good cured meats with cañas.

Ham and cheese reminds me the Seinfeld episode “The Jimmy” when the Yankees believe George is stealing equipment from the organisation.

George: You hem... wanted to see me Mr. Steinbrenner?

Steinbrenner: Yes George, come in, come in. You know George I've been your biggest supporter around here and that’s why I was so disappointed to hear that you been pilfering the equipment.

George: George would never do anything like that.

Steinbrenner: No why would I. I own it.

George: Right!

Steinbrenner: So what are you saying?

George: Why would George steal from the Yankees?

Steinbrenner: He wouldn't.

George: of course not

Steinbrenner: Exactly! I don't what the hell's going on here.

George: Sir?

Steinbrenner: Nothing.

George: Well seems it's about time for George's lunch.

Steinbrenner: Yes it is. Well let’s see what I have today. Darn it It's ham & cheese again and she forgot the fancy mustard. I told her I like that fancy mustard. You could put that fancy mustard on a shoe and it would taste pretty good to me. Oh! She made it up with a cupcake though. Hey look at this. You know I got a new system for eating these things. I used to peel off the chocolate now I turn them upside down, I eat the cake first and save the frosting for the end.