We stayed in for lunch yesterday (Jerry made a healthy tuna salad) and we took a walk to the neighborhood of La Alameda for dinner. We had an early (9 instead of 10) dinner at a Mediterranean restaurant that we’ve been to once before, thanks to the excellent recommendation of Adela who works downstairs at El Sanedrín. The restaurant, El Paladar (which means “The Palate”), is a tapas restaurant specializing in Spanish dishes with a Mediterranean/Arabic twist.
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| EL PALADAR. WE HAD JUST VACATED THAT TABLE OUT FRONT. |
We love El Paladar. The atmosphere is funky and alternative. The staff and a lot of the regular clientele look like my friends from the late ’60s and early ’70s. It’s relaxed, friendly, and the food is delicious, always tasting fresh and healthy. They even have a large selection of vegetarian dishes.
Last night we enjoyed seafood “meat”balls, couscous, spinach croquettes, and chicken brochettes with tabbouleh/tabbouli/tabouleh/tabouli (I think I’ve covered every spelling variation).
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| SEAFOOD “MEAT”BALLS (BEFORE WE FINISHED THEM OFF). |
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| COUSCOUS WITH CHICKEN, VEGETABLES, AND BEANS (AND RAISINS). |
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| SPINACH CROQUETAS (ONE DOWN, TWO TO GO). NO BROCHETA PHOTO (I DIDN’T THINK OF IT UNTIL ONLY THE SKEWER REMAINED). |
We each had two beverages. We were “quite satisfied, thank you,” which I learned from a British relation is much more appropriate to say to a Brit than “I’m stuffed.” That means something entirely different that The Dowager Duchess would not approve of…
Where was I? Oh, yeah, we were stuffed and the total bill was only 18 euros.
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| WHAT THE CATS WOULD LIKE US TO BELIEVE THEY DID THE ENTIRE TIME WE WERE GONE. |
Hello Mitch:
The food at El Paladar sounds most interesting and would certainly be a place that we should enjoy eating at. Indeed, it is such a nice feeling to find somewhere to eat where one can become a regular as one is always 'satisfied' afterwards and is anticipating the next time with relish!
J&L:
We have found a number of places to become regulars. It makes it feel like home. It's a good thing San Geraldo loves to cook (and is good at it) or I'd be out for every meal.
Awww, the adorable cat photo at the end was like the perfect dessert after a lovely meal!
Ms. Sparrow:
This won't become "the cat blog" but I can't resist throwing a photo in. They are really cute and very entertaining.
Food looks delicious, especially the spinach croquetas!
I am not a cat person, probably due to my horrendous allergies to them, but these two are really adorable.
Carole:
The spinach croquetas were exceptional (well, so was everything else). As for the cats, I'm glad you get to enjoy them in pictures.
I got to your blog just before lunch. I should have stopped reading while I was ahead. I saw the picture of the seafood almondigas and I had to stop to get something to eat.
You are experiencing some outstanding foods and your palate is going to get so sophisticated and used to the good stuff…
saludos, buen apetito y que les aproveche.
raulito
Raulito:
I love the food here! I'm glad you can satisfy yourself with some good home-cooking. I count on Jerry, or I'd have to go out every night (or live on rice crackers and peanut butter).
The food looks fabulous. My mouth is watering.
And, yeah, the cats were up to something while you were gone.
Bob:
It must be getting close to lunch time. I just looked at the pictures and my mouth is watering, too.
The cats were definitely up to something. Dudo "found" the drawstring from a pair of Jerry's sweats, managed to pull it out, and now has a new toy.
What amazing food like Bob my mouth is watering. Off to eat fresh mackerel for my tea, pretty delicious too and straight from the sea off Cornwall.
the cuby poet:
I don't think I have ever had mackerel. Hope yours was delicious. I'm sure "fresh" makes all the difference.
That salad with the blue spuds looks so fresh I can taste it and crunch it from here!
I wouldn't have believed the cats either. Have you started putting pencil lines on the levels in the decanters yet?
The Owl Wood:
I take it by "blue spuds," you mean spinach croquettes? So, I guess they weren't really fresh and, thankfully, they didn't crunch. Completely vegetarian (although not vegan), though, and delicious.
We're learning to keep things straightened up, and to close closet doors. We came back from a walk this morning to find two pairs of Jerry's shoes pulled out of the closet (we caught Dudo before he had a chance to remove the laces). Very entertaining.
I haven't had my breakfast yet Mitch, and those photos are making me hungry!
Love those dear little pink noses!
Judith:
A little couscous with your morning coffee? Mmm…
I'm in love with those little pink noses, too!
Cats only look that angelic when trying to distract you from evidence of naughtiness. Have you checked for damages?
Jane x
Jane and Chris:
Nothing serious, but Dudo especially is into everything. We're getting him trained though (ha!).
After seeing all the great food you eat I think Bill & I should start checking into living in Spain for 6 month or so… yes, I do!
The Odd Essay:
Oh, from what I've seen of your writings, I think you would love it here!
Look at those two love cats!!!
Jenners:
It's hard to believe they've only now been here one week. They, and we, are so happy!
The cous cous dish is similar to some of what I'm cooking these days with various Moroccan spice mixes and a lot of imagination!
Will:
The fragrances alone are heaven.
I have a weakness for Arabic food! My best friend as a child was Lebanese and I spent a lot of time at his place eating this wonderful food. I can imagine it with Spanish twist!
Now the cats! Love that photo Mitch!
Jim:
We find a lot of Arabic influence here, of course. And I love it.
I know you especially appreciate the love fest we have going on in this house right now. I don't know how we existed these last 10 months without Dudo and Moose.
How adorable are the kitties.