Sea Food on Leith [On The Road: Edinburgh]

Well, Newman uses his mail truck to run fish for China Panda on the Weekends

Cosmo Kramer (Seinfeld episode “The Pothole”)

The Ship on the Shore is a nice brasserie style located on the Water of Leith. Nice atmosphere, maritime decor, French influence, expect a seafood in your face menu, fruits de mer, shellfish platters, mussels, oysters, and fresh fish.

All Aboard

For starts we go the hot and cold salmon, really nice, the raw smoked piece was superb, the hot one just a bit surprised as it was actually cooked but cold. Overall nice and fresh.

Salmon Time

For main we shared the seafood paella with lobster. It was ok, not technically a paella, it was more like a risotto. The dish didn't work for me, the seafood on the paella was plenty and really good, but overall there was no cohesion. If I come back in the future I wouldn't order it again. My recommendation is to stick to fruits de mer platters, specially the Royale that looked superb.

Lobster Paella

Fresh seafood, big portions, lovely location, don’t make my mistake and keep on the fresh seafood side.

The Ship on the Shore

T: 0131 555 0409

Seafood / French Cuisine

Approx Damage: £40pp

Area: Leith

Edinburgh

Twitter: ShipOnTheShore

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Spanish Paella at Parsons

Ok, fine. It's going to be very interesting, very interesting if they don't show up tonight. You know my mother made all this Paella

George Costanza (Seinfeld episode “The Raincoats”)

The other day I went out with a friend an he recommended one local restaurant between Putney and Parsons Green. Tendido Cuatro a Spanish place from Cambio de Tercio group. The place specializes in Paellas and Tapas, the gourmet paellas are made with bomba rice imported from Calasparra from the region of Murcia.

Paella Time

We got a tortilla, the spicy chorizo, and a chorizo and quail paella. The spice chorizo was simple but tasty, the tortilla was sadly bit bland, but the paella was really nice, good seasoning, nice size, and good traditional flavours.

I try to avoid Spanish restaurants in London to be honest, but Tendido Cuatro serves nice traditional flavours, the tortilla was a miss but the paella was definitely a hit, wouldn’t mind to come back and try another of their paellas.

Tendido Cuatro

T: 020 7371 5147

Spanish Restaurant

Approx Damage: £33pp

Area: Parsons Green

Borough: Hammersmith & Fullham

Twitter: CambiodTercio

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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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My last day in Barcelona

The last day after doing sightseeing in the morning in Parc Guell and Sagrada Familia, we went to have lunch at a Chiringuito. For the ones that don’t have any idea of what a Chiringuito is, let me elaborate. It’s a simple construction usually located in the beach or in a touristic area, selling food and drinks. The first ever Chiringuito was opened in 1913 in Sitges, really a coincidence that part of my family is from there.

One of the many Chiringuitos in Barceloneta

Rum and Coke AKA "Mentirita" Little Lie

Well Barcelona Mediterranean coast is full of these places. We ended in Moncho’s el Chiringuito near Bogatell beach. Their menu simple, classic seafood and traditional Spanish dishes. We ordered fried calamari, patatas bravas, and Iberico ham as starters and then paella to share.

Moncho's el Chriringuito

The food was really good, the place was completely packed, and the service was excellent. Don’t miss the experience if you are in the Mediterranean coast in Catalunya.

Busy Lunch Time 

A Tasty Paella

Paella reminds me the Seinfeld episode “The Raincoats” where the Seinfelds are avoiding having dinner with the Costanzas.

George: Aaaa! Aaaa! Ah ha. They had plans huh? They were busy. They were busy with their...”big plans!”

Jerry: What are you talking about?

George: Mom and Pop Seinfeld

Jerry: Look I don't know.

George: All right I happen to know what they did last night, they had dinner with Kramer.

Jerry: Oh they were tired it was a last minute thing.

George: So what's the deal they don't want to have dinner with my parents?

Jerry: That's right.

George: Is there something wrong with my parents?

Jerry: Absolutely

George: Because my parents happen to be two pretty wonderful people.

Jerry: These the people you currently live with?

George: Yes.

Jerry: Uh huh

George: So are they coming tonight or not?

Jerry: Look I really don't know what their plans are.

George: Ok, fine. It's going to be very interesting, very interesting if they don't show up tonight. You know my mother made all this Paella.

Jerry: What is that anyway?

George: It's a Spanish dish. It's a melange of fish, and meat with rice. Very tasty.

Jerry: I, I'll tell them

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.