mosaic road

Having the Blues

The Mercado de San Miguel is an historical covered market  located in the heart of Madrid’s old quarter. It dates back to well before 1835. This enormous central light fitting consists of dozens of blue bottles strung up seemingly precariously, appearing like a gigantic airborne pom pom. The market consist of masses of stalls where locals and tourists alike stand up at counters and eat and drink Spanish specialities. Each counter serves something different - seafood or sangria or olives or empanadas or pizza or mojitos or beans and on it endlessly goes. It is packed to the rafters with gourmets and gourmands. No one could feel blue for too long under this roof.

 

The Belly Rules the Mind - A Spanish Proverb

Nothing could be closer to the truth after seeing the food, glorious food in Madrid. And add to that the well known fact that we eat with our eyes and the Spaniards have got it all wrapped up ! Every food group is covered plus some. Colour, freshness, wow factor - all are inescapable - at every table, cafe and food store. Every on is out and about eating. I cannot wait for meal times and my wandering of the streets is slow progress as I have to stop and look in every window at the incredible food offerings - so different from Morocco and Melbourne. Simply put - Madrid is an unadulterated visual feast. And please let me add that not a single photo of mine can do this feast a zot of justice. My experiences here have not even reached the tip of the culinary iceberg, so to speak. But I have without exception kept to my holiday rule !!

Do not think about calories, money or exercise !!!

Hamming it Up

No green eggs, just ham. And it is to the left and to the right, everywhere you look in Madrid. And in many formats, shapes and sizes. Available for all meals. Delicioso for ham lovers, a porcine  paradise in fact.

 

My Mansion in Madrid

I thought I booked a room. I paid for a room but I got a mansion instead. AirBnB has certainly come through with the goods. The room I thought I was getting seems to be the Spanish steroids version. Not only is it central and beautiful, it has a art deco lift up to the 3 rd floor and is so crammed full with objets d'arts that would cause any interior designer to swoon. I could have 10 for dinner seated beneath a chandelier. Before being seated they could assemble in a vast foyer, admire the enormous desk in the study, take in the sea of minnows swimming across the wall in the salon or recline on one of the couches - red or cream -  in the second salon. And if anyone needs to sleepover and they can disregard my belongings strewn all over the place, then I can share my big room . Yes the very room I paid a mere $72.oo a night for, the one that has a mansion thrown in for good measure.

It Rained in Spain

A very, very grey windy day with patchy drizzle awaited me when I woke up in Madrid today. But such  a truly classic European scene greeted me when I looked out the window.  Shutters and wrought iron are such a perfect match.

 

I will be spending four days sightseeing with friends from Australia. I have been very excited about this trip as I have never been to Spain before . Jambon , tapas and chocolate dipped churros are high on my agenda. And I will be very happy just wandering the very narrow streets, admiring the archetypal architecture and embracing the Spanish habit of taking a siesta !!

"Play it again, Sam"

Foodwise, I found it hard to choose. I am not a heavy lunch eater so I went contemporary American and ordered Rick's Special Hamburger and Rosemary Fries. So, not Moroccan and not 1940's but this choice satisfied some cravings for 'normal' food.

And then of course came dessert - my downfall in life !! And they had an ice-cream menu !!  Again so not Moroccan and so not 1940's but so, so delicious. Our lunch was such fun and like the movie, a classic experience. With any luck next time we will find Sam sitting at the piano......

You must remember this 
A kiss is just a kiss, a sigh is just a sigh. 
The fundamental things apply 
As time goes by.

 

 

"Here's looking at you, kid"

 

 

The menu here was wide and varied, an interesting combination of local Moroccan specialities and some traditional international favourites and some surprises too. The Obama Family Chili made an appearance. Why, you may well ask - but I think , and don't take this as gospel, the owner is American and this might be just a tiny bit of homage being paid to Mr. President. I didn't order it. We discussed what might have been ordered in 1942 and decided that the lamb chops would have been a popular choice.  It was easy to imagine Bogey propping up the bar or at a table with  a snowy white linen  cloth and crisp napery.

We did raise our glasses in memory of such a famous cast and to the classic melodrama that we all know and love. As we chinked glasses we also celebrated the fun day  we were having and to being in Morocco with so many adventures to be had. So "Cheers , To Us and Casablanca " !!

 

"Of all the gin joints in town....."

 The enormous Moroccan city of  many millions is  far cry from the movie Casablanca and any images that might bring to mind.. The one and only homage here  to Bogart and Bergman is Rick’s !! The ceiling is swathed and draped with luxury fabrics, the lighting exquisite.

Table service was impeccable and when I opened my mouth to utter a few solitary words in Darija - probably mispronounced - I became instant friends with the several waiters. It was great too that no one minded that we deserted out table and wandered around taking photos.

As you can see by the bar this is more than just a gin joint - any cocktail can be yours, shaken or stirred !!

 

 

"Why did you have to come to Casablanca ?"

Well I came recently with a friend on a visa mission and we took a lunch break at Rick's Cafe and played make believe. I was expecting touristy and tacky. Not so ! Behind a totally unprepossessing street frontage lies a charming restaurant, a movie set cafe complete with cigar menu and grand piano. Wonderful service plus great food and ambience set the scene for an Oscar winning meal.. No sign of Sam !!

 

Perfection !!

Is there anything better than a long lazy lunch in the sun ??  Recently I hosted such a lunch for 6  American guests. The weather was glorious as was the food and the venue Riad Mur Akush . The first course was the wonderful Moroccan aubergine salad and birouates [similar to a spring roll but triangular] followed by a chicken and olive tagine. So delicious !!