Judas

Otto Sylt Salsitxers

Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes 622, Barcelona

http://www.ottosylt.angrup.com/english/index.htm

In fact, I was looking for Maes de Flandes, el templo de la cerveza, but I couldn't find it, and I decided to try this place. They have a a good beer selection, but it is amazing the increase in the prices for a beer. The cheapest (and also decent) one was Judas: 3,75 EUR
Unfortunately, this place does not have tables.
I have to investigate what happened with Maes de Flandes...

Quinta el refugio 2007, blanco

Quinta el Refugio 2007 Blanco

May be my memory is failing to me. This was an excellent quality price ratio white wine. It costs 2,6 EUR and it is exclusively sold at El Corte Inglés. Anyway, you can also buy it, for instance, in Ireland for 9,99 EUR.
For this occasion, I feel that it is more dry than expected and the marriage with meals is quite critical. I need to taste again the outstanding malvasia of Fariña, which is much better.

Fin del Río, Fariña

Fin del rio DO Vino de la tierra de Castilla y León

Bodegas Fariña

This is a curious product produced by the outstanding Fariña cellar. It is a 1 liter bottle, and its cost is 1,99 EUR in Mercadona, although in USA you will pay 7,99 USD for it.
If you have an open mind (absence of prejudices) you will realize that it is drinkable.

The clam of Santo Domingo de la Calzada

La Almeja de Santo Domingo de la Calzada

This is a "funny" history. I ordered beans with clams in Santo Domingo de la Calza, and I got this dish. As you can check, there was ONLY ONE CLAM.
Thus, this is THE clam of Santo Domingo de la Calzada...
If you want to repeat the experience (Although I do not recommend to do that), you need to go to the next place:

Idus 2004 Vall Llach

Idus 2004

Vall Llach

This is an outstanding wine. Nevertheless, some things should be trimmed, such as the alcoholic degree and feeling. The worst thing is the price: around 30 EUR. Two times more expensive than Embruix Vall llach. The problem is that Idus is not two times better than Embruix.

high alcoholic degree:

Damm reserva especial Navidad

Damm reserva especial Navidad 2008
1876-2008

Yesterday it was Christmas. A very special day, and a very special beer for this day. It is inside a very nice package, with a bottle of one liter. do not try to buy it because it is a limited edition and it is impossible to find it in regular shops. That is a pitty , because it is a very good beer. More body than "estrella", and smoother. Probably due to an extra hop ("lúpulo") amount. I hope to have chance to taste it again next christmas. The expire date is quite tight due to the special package and quality (march'09).

The history of this beer :


the package

the bottle:

the labels:

as you can see, it has the "perfect" alcoholic degree, according to my personal preferences: 6,5º

Martivillí, DO Rueda

Martivilli DO Rueda

http://www.martivilli.com/

This Rueda wine is 100% Verdejo grape. Unfortunately, I am disappointed with this wine. For this price, you can get Domine DO Rueda, which is much better. But even if you want to waste less money, try the colagon that I commented few days ago. More reach in taste and flavours. Its price is 5,95 in Colmado Quilez.

Mandri

Bar Mandri

C/ Mandri 60, Barcelona

This is a classical place for Patatas bravas. They do not look very nice, but the taste is great. In addition, this time, I had chance to taste the fried artichokes. Wonderful!
It is a lively place. Unfortunately, it is allow to smoke. Fortunately, in sumer, you can stay in the terrace.

Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 Artés

Cabernet Sauvignon 2003

Celler cooperatiu Artés

This is an excellent quality/price ratio wine. In fact, in my opinion, DO Pla de Bages is probably the most interesting DO at this moment in Catalunya, below Priorat, for red wines. The texture, flavour, taste, etc. is OUTSTANDING!
I strongly recommend you to visit the "celler cooperatiu d'Artés". They are really friendly!

vinagre Balsámico de Módena Alteza

Vinagre balsámico de Módena Alteza

sometimes we pay a crazy amount of money for a vinegar. this is my recommendation: Vinagre balsámico de Módena alteza, 250 ml, 1,39 EUR at Keisy supermarket. I think that you will be fully satisfied!

Restaurant Asador Álamo

Restaurant Asador Álamo

C/ Energia 50, Mataró, Barcelona

This is a very low quality place. In fact, I even think that it is outside current laws: the place was plenty of smoke, everybody had freedom to smoke. For this large places, they should have several dinning rooms. One for smokers, anotherone for nonsmokers, and they should have some smoke extraction device.
We paid 27 EUR for a very low quality meal. Although there is a large amount of starters each dish is for four people. In conclusion: this place is a shame. The unique good think was the glass of cava (Aria Segura Viudas)

Main Courses:

cod

ternasco

entrecote

dessert

El mirador de El Goloso

El Goloso

Autovía Colmenar viejo, salida 18, Madrid

http://www.interocio.es/elgoloso

This is an outstanding place. Even the fixed price menu for lunch has an excellent quality for a ridiculous price. I strongly recommed it. I hope to be able to take some pictures next year 2009...

Queso campoveja añejo, Serrada

Campoveja reserva

http://www.quesoscampoveja.com/

Although I prefer the cheese from Rueda, this one from Serrada is a good alternative when you cannot buy the Rueda one. Although both of them are from Valladolid, I prefer the texture and the taste of Rueda cheese...
Its price is 11,5 EUR/Kg.

Teekanne versus Pompadour tea

This is a curiosity: Pompadour is called Teekanne in Czech Republic and other countries, but it is exactly the same (look at the logo and the websites)
http://www.teekanne.com/
http://www.pompadour.de/

Emilio Moro, Finca Resalso 2007

Emilio Moro, Finca Resalso, D.O. Ribera del Duero

http://www.emiliomoro.com/

Slightly stronger than Finca Resalso 2006 (13.7º). It is hard to say, but I think that previous year was better... Anyway, it is a very good quality/price ratio.

Café de LA PROMENADE

Café de LA PROMENADE

bar - snack - glaces

8, Bd de la Promenade, Lagrasse, France

This is a collaboration of my friend José Ricardo F. He went to this place in order to taste the cassoulet. The place was recommended by the owner of can cavatxo. I must say that my recommendation was hotel du centre et du lauragais, Castelnaudary, which seemed to me more luxury. I still remember a good menu for armagnacs... but I cannot compare both places because I haven't been in La Promenade.
Cassoulet is a very good dish, although quite heavy. According to the business card that I still have from Castelnaurady, the history of cassoulet is the following one:
Lors de la guerre de cents anys, Castelnaudary fut assiégée par l'armée anglaise. Des habitants affanés mirent en commun leurs dernières provisions. Les uns des haricots, d'autres encore des morceaux d'oie confite, le tout réuni dans une terrine et cuit dans un four. Ainsi naquit le primer cassoulet.