A Fuego Negro Takes Pintxos To A New Level
If you get the chance to visit San Sebastian, then it’s imperative that you swing by A Fuego Negro, a pintxo bar I stumbled upon while exploring the Parte Vieja (old town). Pintxos, also known as tapas in the rest of Spain are a very important part of San Sebastian’s food culture. A pintxo bar can nearly be found at just about any street corner. Continue reading A Fuego Negro Takes Pintxos To A New Level
By Thrifty Gourmet on December 31, 2008 | 0
Bar Central – The Alternative For Seafood Lovers on a Budget
Almost hidden in the back of the Boqueria Market, Bar Central is a place many foodies call one of Barcelona’s best-kept secrets. It also happens to be my favorite lunch spot in the city. In this tapas bar mainly frequented by locals, fresh seafood a la plancha is the highlight of any meal.
Open six days a week (Mon-Sat), Bar Central serves up a variety of fresh fish and seafood guaranteed to titillate your palate. The fish is grilled to perfection on a bed of coarse salt and finished with a drizzle of garlic and parsley infused olive oil. Every dish is made to order in an open kitchen environment.
What I love about Bar Central is that it is unpretentious and authentic. There is no paper menu. A modest chalkboard indicates the availability of the day, which typically includes: the popular dorada (sea brim), gambas (prawns), navallas (razor clams), cloisses (baby clams) and other creatures of the ocean. Most first-timers tend to go for the seafood platter: an assortment of dorada, prawns, razor clams and baby clams. This is the easiest option for most tourists since the place gets very busy and the staff has a limited knowledge of English.
The more regular and experienced patrons like myself prefer to order their seafood a la carte. My plate usually consists of the dorada, navallas, pulpito and gambas (all in half portions). Then, I wash my meal down with a glass of Clara, a refreshing mix of beer and lemon soda. If there is any room left for dessert, I go for the baked apple stuffed with crema catalana.
Since Bar Central has very limited seating, my advice would be to go there at noon or after 2:30pm in order to beat the crowd. That being said, don’t get discouraged if you arrive at a busy time. Be patient and stick around. Remember the old adage: good things come to those who wait. This is a gastronomic experience worth waiting for. Grab a glass of the homemade sangria, make new friends and wait for a seat to become available.
Location: Boqueria Market, Barcelona
Average check per person: 15 Euros
By Thrifty Gourmet on December 17, 2008 | 0
The Thrifty Gourmet’s Alternative to Mugaritz… Um Sorta
Normally, when I find a GREAT restaurant that is not mainstream, I want to keep it to myself. My reasoning is that a secret gem is hard to find these days. So, why ruin it for everyone else? Other times, I am so blown away that I want to let the entire world know how amazing the experience was, especially when the price beats all expectations. Continue reading The Thrifty Gourmet’s Alternative to Mugaritz… Um Sorta
By Thrifty Gourmet on December 17, 2008 | 0
Jazz Up Your Brunch Party With A Blood Orange Fizz
Everyone enjoys a crisp mimosa with brunch, but after a while, plain orange juice and sparkling wine can get a little boring. Adding a little touch of creativity can help to elevate this classical drink to new heights.
Some choose to substitute different citrus juices for the orange juice while others booze it up with orange flavored liqueurs like Cointreau and Grand Marnier. I have found that Trader Joe’s Italian Blood Orange soda makes an excellent alternative to orange juice in mimosas. It preserves the fizz, adds a luscious pink color and enhance the citrus flavor. Another great alternative is the Sonoma Natural Blood Orange Sparkler, but it is more difficult to procure. Blood oranges are an interesting choice because the juice is bittersweet, but less acidic than that of regular oranges.
How to make The Thrifty Gourmet’s Blood Orange Mimosa:
Makes approximately 10 glasses
1 bottle of sparkling wine (~$10.00)
1 bottle of Trader Joe’s Italian blood orange soda (~$2.99)
Chill both bottles and pour equal parts of each ingredient in a champagne flute when ready to serve.
Result: Total Awesomeness!
Cost: ~ $13.00 for 10 glasses
By Thrifty Gourmet on December 16, 2008 | 0
