Here we go again Madrid - Episode VII: Paella time [On The Road: Madrid]

“Well they better come, I got all this Paella” 

Estelle Costanza (Seinfeld episode “The Raincoats”) 

I was back in Madrid for the bank holiday and this time I wanted to try Paella. So after a bit of research and some recommendations we ended at La Barraca. Opened in 1935 by the Solis family bringing Valencia flavours to Madrid. After three generations they have kept the traditional recipes. 

The place

We got to the place got a nice Rioja and then went for starters. Callos a la Madrileña and Gazpacho. The tripe was great, excellent balance with the chorizo and black pudding. The gazpacho was amazing, perfectly executed, all the trimmings, great flavours. 

Rioja

Gazpacho

Callos

For main we got the Paella Marinera. Perfect seafood paella, full of clams, King prawns, squids, grouper, mussels and a giant red prawn or carabinero as they call it. A touch of Sherry to complete the flavours, really good executed. Our waiter commented that the key on the flavour was the carabinero. 

Paella time

To end a nice lemon and vodka sorbet to refresh the palate. 

Sorbet

Great food, nice service, and a relax place. Definitely a paella you should try if you’re in Madrid.

Aioli

One more look at the amazing paella

La Barraca

T: +34 915 32 71 54

Spanish Cuisine

Approx Damage: €20pp

Area: Centro

Madrid

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Model Bakery [On The Road: Napa]

Our last breakfast in Napa was at the legendary Model Bakery, the place has been part of the valley for almost 90 years, the original location in Main street St Helena, still offering breads, pastries, coffee, and to complete the picture cakes, cookies, and sandwiches for breakfast. Karen Mitchel has owned the place for almost 30 years, and in 2008 she expanded to a second location in Oxbow Public Market in Napa. 

The place

Bakery

Huge warehouse style building, did my queue and ordered the Chipotle sandwich, took a while to get the order, a bit disorganised, but finally got my egg, bacon, pepperjack cheese, avocado, tomato, and chipotle mayo on sourdough, it was really nice, the chipotle mayo with the melted cheese and the avocado spot on. Also tried a cheese croissant, quite nice, and a fresh batch. 

Menus

Chipotle time

In Model you will find simple but tasty food, a great quick breakfast before heading to the wineries. 

Croissant

Coffee time

Bakery reminds me the Seinfeld episode “The Rye” 

Frank: We got to stop off and pick up a marble rye from Schnitzer's 

Estelle: It's out of our way. Why can't we pick up something at Lord's? It's right over here 

Frank: No! We have to go to Schnitzer's! I'll show these people something about taste! 

George: This is going to be fun

Model Bakery

T: +1 707 259 1128

Bakery

Approx Damage: $10pp

Area: Napa

Napa Valley

Twitter: modelbakery

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Burger Wars Episode XLII: Ramsay’s Bread

Since I started the vendetta to find a decent burger in London I wanted to try Gordon Ramsay’s version. The place I was thinking was Maze Grill, but for one reason or another and despite it is on my original list I haven’t visited the place. But a week ago I went to his new venture Bread Street Kitchen. A large warehouse space with industrial décor for a relax dining experience. 

Ramsay's new venture

The place

Went with a colleague, sat downstairs by the bar, quite quickly we were on to business. Tamarind chicken wings, crispy pig’s head, and the Bread Street short rib burger. 

Bar

Downstairs

The wings were quite nice, good sweet and Asian flavours, the tamarind with spring onions and coriander gave a nice balance. The crispy pig’s head, nice battered, with a touch of breadcrumbs, the green chilli mayo was nice, I even used it to dip my chips. 

Wings

Crispy pig's head

The Bread Street short rib burger comes with Monterrey Jack cheese, and a tomato ketchup. 

Ramsay's BSK burger

The verdict, nice burger, thick patty, really thick, perfectly cooked, the tomato sauce with a nice sweet touch spread on the bun, the short rib flavour was great, the Jack was nice, melted covering the patty, not too overpowering, probably they could go for a stronger cheese as the meat flavour is quite strong. The bun was almost collapsing but held until the end despite the juices. Chips were nice, perfectly cooked crispy outside soft inside. 

The damage, 15 quid for the burger, fries, and a coke 

The conclusion, another great burger, really nice place, is good to see a relax but still quite nice and high standards Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant. The patty flavour was the lead actor of the play, stole the show. A strong 9 in my scale, this is a serious burger Mr Ramsay. 

Fries

Burger Time

Bread reminds me the Seinfeld episode “The Rye” 

George: What is this? The marble rye? 

Estelle: We forgot to bring it in 

Frank: No, I brought it in. They never put it out 

George: You stole the bread? 

Frank: What do you mean stole? It's my bread. They didn't eat it. Why should I leave it there? 

George: Because we brought it for them! 

Frank: Apparently, it wasn't good enough for them to serve 

Estelle: People take buses to get that rye 

George: Maybe they forgot to put it out! Frank: Aw, they didn't forget to put it out! It's deliberate! Deliberate, I tell you!

Bread Street Kitchen

T: 020 3030 4050

European Cuisine

Aprox Damage: £27pp

Area: St Paul's

Borough: City of London

Twitter: breadstkitchen

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The Capital Grille

I was looking for a good steakhouse in Houston and my friend recommended going to The Capital Grille. You enter the place and is like a private cigar club, art deco, chandeliers, mahogany, and dim lighting. Prime dry aged steaks all over the menu, thanks god I already knew which one to order, Chef Jim Nuetzi classic cuisine creations, and more than 5000 bottles of wine in their list, is that enough? 

The Place

Dinner

For starter I got the classic Caesar Salad, hearts of Romaine lettuce, croutons, anchovy fillets, Reggiano parmesan, and their version of the Caesar dressing. Excellent, top notch, what you would expect to get from a steakhouse. As a main no questions, the Delmonico steak, bone in ribeye, 22 ounces, medium rare, just exquisite, juicy and cooked to perfection, the moist from the ribeye marbling just excellent. Apparently the Delmonico style was made popular by a restaurant in New York in mid-19th century, you won’t guess the name… Delmonico’s Restaurant. As a side got parmesan truffle fries, amazing fries tossed in shredded Gran Padano, kosher salt, and white truffle oil.

Caesar Salad 

Delmonico 

Fries

I’m pretty sure there are plenty of excellent steakhouses in Houston but The Capital is probably one of the top ones I’ve been. 

Not sure why, but Delmonico remind me the Seinfeld episode “The Shower Head” 

George: Hey, hey, how was Florida? 

Morty: Well, we just bought a new place down there. 

Estelle: I know, we were looking at the brochure. 

Morty: What? 

Helen: Why, you thinking of moving? 

Frank: Not really. 

Morty: Because if you are, you shouldn't. There's nothing available in that development. 

Frank: Are you telling me there's not one condo available in all of Del Boca Vista? 

Morty: That's right. They went like hotcakes. 

Frank: How'd you get yours? 

Morty: Got lucky. 

Frank: Are you trying to keep us out of Del Boca Vista?

Jerry: I know this doesn't seem like work to any of you, if you could perhaps conduct your psychopath convention down the hall, I could just get a little personal space.

The Capital Grille

T: +1 713 623 4600

Steakhouse

Area: Galleria

Neighbourhood: Uptown

Houston

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Friendly Spanish Tapas in Camden

I met some friends in Camden and after failing to get a table in Asakusa, we ended eating in Bar Gansa. Spanish tapas in Camden a whole challenge, as two of my friends are originally from Spain, and I spend the last bank holiday in Madrid and Segovia enjoying their food.

A cosy but loud place, with terracotta red walls and a weird selection of music, I was expecting some flamenco or at least a selection of Spanish rock, but instead Bob Marley was the music for the evening, a kind of weird way to eat tapas.

Paella options 

The menu 

The toilet

We started our culinary journey with tortilla a classic potato Spanish omelette, txistorras y pimientos a special spicy sausage cooked with potatoes and peppers, and pulpo a la gallega which is octopus with olive oil, salt and paprika potatoes.

Tortilla failed

Pulpo (Octopus)

Txistorras

To complete our meal we share a paella the Valencian rice dish which most of the people consider to be Spain national dish, but definitely a landmark and symbol of Spanish cuisine.

High expectations for Bar Gansa in this occasion, the overall consensus around the table was that the food was good. The txistorras were nice, the pulpo was quite good, the tortilla not so good, and regarding the paella was pretty decent, good flavour, and decent portion. But still prefer to go to Madrid or Barcelona and have the real deal.

Paella

In conclusion I spend a nice dinner, discovering a decent option in Camden for tapas, with a couple cold Estrella beer, and good company.

Paella reminds me the Seinfeld episode “The Raincoats” when George’s parents invite Jerry’s parents for dinner.

Frank: They're not coming?

George: No, they had plans.

Estelle: How could they have plans?

George: That's what I want to know.

Frank: Well what difference does it make? They wouldn't lie to us, they're dear friends.

Estelle: What am I supposed to do with all this Paella?

George: They said tomorrow, maybe.

Frank: Maybe?

Estelle: Maybe they don't like us.

Frank: Why wouldn't they like us? Again with the pepper? What do you got to use all the pepper for?

Estelle: Ah keep quiet.

Frank: What are you trying to set my mouth on fire?

George: I don't know what the reason could be.

Here we go again Madrid - Episode I: Why Mr Bourdain? Oldest Tapas Bar

After the last time I was in Madrid, I realised that it might be an episode of “No Reservation” about the Spanish Capital. Well, guess what yes there is one, I saw it and the first thing that came to my mind was damn you Anthony Bourdain, I will have to come back to Madrid to try a couple of those places that you’re recommending.

This is why I love Madrid 

So I got the excuse, I got the free days, in conclusion I was back following the steps of Tony. My first stop was La Bodega de la Ardosa. The place is one of the oldest tapas bar in Madrid, it was opened in 1892 and still has a lot of character, as soon as you’re in the place is like you travelled back in time.

Let's talk vintage

Got into the place ordered “Media Pinta” (half pint of beer) and started the culinary experience, first I tried the Tortilla, as it was highly recommended by Bourdain and is recognised as one of the best ones in Madrid, also had Morcilla de Foie which is a foie gras black pudding, amazing almost my favourite dishes combine, could you make it as a burger? Finally I got Cecina con Piquillos (piquillos’ peppers and Iberico cured meat).

Tapas

One of the best tortillas

Morcilla de Foie

Cecina con Pimientos

The food was exceptional, the place unique, the service great, what else can I tell you, Bourdain have never been wrong, damn you Tony!

Like the Sonora Poncena song, Remembranzas de un pasado que ha empezado ayer

Spain always reminds me the Seinfeld episode “The Raincoats” when George’s parents invite Jerry’s parents to have Paella.

Estelle: You think they're coming tonight?

George: I don’t know they said maybe.

Frank: Of course they're coming, they're leaving soon. If they don't come tonight they might not see us.

Estelle: Well they better come, I got all this Paella.

Frank: I admire Morty and Helen going to France. We should take a trip, maybe a cruise.

George: Yes a cruise, a long cruise, just the two of you.

Estelle: Georgie what were you doing poking around the attic last night?

George: I, I wasn't in the attic.

Estelle: I heard noise.

George: Maybe it was a mouse.

Frank: OK that's it! We're moving!

George: What?

Frank: I will not tolerate infestation.

George: You haven't even seen one.

Frank: Don't you understand the very thought, the very idea, I'll never be comfortable again.

Venezuelan style in Camden Lock Market

One of my friends here in London has a Venezuelan food stall in Camden Lock Market. Arepa & Co offers since 2011 traditional Venezuelan food, Arepas and Pabellon every weekend in the trendy Camden Town. Go there and ask for Augusto “Gus” Salguero, and have a real treat of the Venezuelan cuisine.

The Stall

Your options there is basically Arepas, which is 100% Venezuelan corn bread filled with cheddar cheese “La Catira”, chicken avocado “Reina Pepeada”, shredded beef “Mechada”, black beans and cheese “Domino”, or any combination, where the more popular ones are “La Pelua” shredded beef and cheese or “La Sifrina” chicken avocado and cheese. Also you can try the Venezuelan national dish Pabellon, which is shredded beef, black beans, rice and fried plantains.

The Menu

Fillings for the Arepas

I had my favourite one the Reina Pepeada, excellent flavour, just like back home, you won’t get more traditional Venezuelan food than this in London.

Reina Pepeada

Bread reminds me the Seinfeld episode “The Rye” where Frank Costanza took back a rye bread he gave to his future in laws as a present for dinner.

George: What is this? The marble rye?

Estelle: We forgot to bring it in.

Frank: No, I brought it in. They never put it out.

George: You stole the bread?

Frank: What do you mean stole? It's my bread. They didn't eat it. Why should I leave it there?

George: Because we brought it for them!

Frank: Apparently, it wasn't good enough for them to serve.

Estelle: People take buses to get that rye.

George: Maybe they forgot to put it out!

Frank: Aw, they didn't forget to put it out! It's deliberate! Deliberate, I tell ya!