Gayle Brennan Spencer – sending random thoughts to and from South Austin
Above: Camarones Gaditanos at El Olivo Gastrobar
With almost every “postcard” from our 2022 trip to Spain delivered, these photos should smooth your, and our, transition to Mexico.
Relatively new on the scene is Casa Celia on Quintana Roo. Although Mexican, the chef spent ten years in restaurants in Barcelona. The menu changes weekly, with paella served most weekends and always options for vegetarians.
Continue reading “Postcard from Oaxaca, Mexico: Food with a Castilian accent”
Above, Pide por esa Boquita croquetas
Croquetas start out many a meal in Spain, so it only seems appropriate to feature one more plate. The above is definitely a recommended one – a split order of croquetas with half squid ink and half cecina and membrillo at Pide por esa Boquita. The small restaurant felt bright and contemporary and attracted us back for a repeat visit. The seasonal salads were creative; lobster and vegetables were prepared in a not-too-heavy tempura batter; and the tuna tataki merited ordering again.
It was nice to spice things up for a change of pace at Indian Aderezo. The samosas were filled plumply, and the curried vegetables and garbanzos suited us well.
Filled with locals, Restaurante Niza offered us our requisite Italian fix.
Continue reading “Postcard from Valladolid, Spain: Offering you final virtual menu from 2022 trips”
Above: Broiled zamburinas, Gallaecian scallops, at La Cantina Burgos
Bronze scallop shells embedded in the streets of Burgos lead pilgrims along the Camino de Santiago route to the Cathedral. The trail of shells conveniently passes right by La Cantina de Burgos, where one can find perfectly prepared grilled zamburinas, Gallaecian scallops. Earlier in this same trip, a blog post explains both the shell’s connection to Saint James and the bicolored anatomy of the bivalves.
Continue reading “Postcard from Burgos, Spain: Pilgrims should indulge in Santiago’s symbolic seafood”
Postcards from Barton Springs 