Islas Cies

We spent a few days on the Islas Cies which is just off the coast of Vigo. An amazing place but with only 3 places to eat at, none of which were particularly good.

A Galician speciality a plate of Pulpo (Octopus). This was at the campsite restaurant.

We tried the restaurant nearest the beach next as it had a bit of a nicer setting. Restaurant Serafin is probably the best place to eat on the island although it's not recognised on the main map. This is Lenguado (Flounder).

Rape (Monkfish).

When in Galicia you have to try Albariño. Really refreshing and fruity and quite light too.

More Galician tradition with an empanada, this one was filled with tuna.

Some really good calamares.

Santiago de Compostela

We spent some time in Santiago during the celebration of St James.

Our first visit was to Vinoteca O Beiro

Highly recommended Viña Albina Reserva 2005. Very traditional Rioja that is very rich.

With the wine we had Paté de Higado de Rapé or Monkfish Liver Paté

Paté de Faisán y Pistachos or Pheasant and Pistachio Paté

Galicia is famous for its Empanada, this one is a Tuna Empanada

We went a little untraditional at La Cavita. We had Fingers de Pollo 'Special K', Deep Fried Strips of Breadcrumbed Chicken with Special K flakes for extra crunch.

Mix de Quesadilla (Jamón Ibérico con Queso Gallego y de Queso Azul, Manzana y Nueces) or Ibérica Ham with Galician Cheese and Azul Cheese with Apple and Walnuts 

Tartar de Atún Rojo con Guacamole or Red Tuna Tartar with Guacamole. Tasty!

We went for brunch at Bicoca, starting with a Bloody Mary and Mimosa

Ensalada Brunch with Langoustines, Avocado and Cherry Tomato

Ovos Remexidos or Scrambled Eggs with Jamon

Torradas Francescas or French Toast with ridiculous amounts of chocolate sauce

Pancakes, also with crazy amounts of chocolate sauce

Our hotel had a whole burger menu, what was I supposed to do? This is their Apostel Burger, 2 180g Burgers, Serrano Jamon, Goats Cheese and Salad. Must...stop...eating...burgers.

A Coruna

We only had one night in A Coruña because of a bus cock up but we had a good time and nice seafood.

Carrie finally gets a hot pimiento de padrón! At Cerveceria Alquimia

We didn't eat here as much as Carrie wanted to. I'm sure they had a 'Boat House Mega Bowl' on the menu.

Zamburinas or Baby Scallops at Taberna O Secreto

Monkfish Fritters, really good!

Gijon

We had the best value for money menu del dia at Sideria Xuanina. Four big courses for only 9 euros each including a bottle of wine!

The food just kept coming, we didn't know if we had to say stop!

Tarta al Whisky, followed by Chupitos. We had to go and siesta.

Another menu del dia, this time at Cava Baja. Fabada is a typical Asturian dish. Its a bean stew with chunks of sausage, usually chorizo. This one had hock, chorizo and black pudding.

Veal Escalope with Cabrales Sauce 

Battered Lemon Sole

Tarta al Whisky (again!)

Another Asturian speciality and really the best thing about Gijon, cider and steak. We had both at Sidreria La Costa

Expertly poured from high up to aerate the cider. You have to finish the glass in one, so they are constantly topping people up and bringing out massive hot plates of meat. 

How good does that look!

We fancied margaritas, so we had an early dinner at La Panza es Primero. The frozen margaritas were the highlight.

Chimichanga 

Chicken Mole

Bilbao

We arrived in Bilbao pretty stuffed from San Sebastián but we still managed to squeeze quite a bit more food in

We started off at Gure Toki with a glass of Txakoli which is a very light, dry wine with high acidity. Very refreshing and you can drink loads of it as the ABV is low. Carrie adds it tastes quite melony.

They have award winning Calamares and they were really tender and light.

Txupito de Hongos con Yema or Shot of Mushroom and Egg Yolk. Not what we were expecting but it tasted good.

Next stop was Bar Zuga we had five different Pintxos, the first being Brie, Foie and Apple

Hake with Squid Ink and Duck Breast with Peppers

Their specialities are these two dishes- Foie Plancha con Frutos Rojos y Vinagre de Modena or Grilled Foie with Red Fruit and Balsamic Dressing

Queso de Cabra al Plancha con Compota de Manzana or Grilled Goats Cheese with Apple Compote 

Now for something weird. Check these flavours of ice cream out at Tostadero Nossi-Be, we have squid, cod with garlic, ham, goats cheese etc etc

Carrie went for the Roquefort and Raisin and she loved it. 

We went to Bar Gatz and had Empanadilla de Carne con un Chupito de Gazpacho or Meat Pastry with a shot of Gazpacho and Steak Tartare

Bacalao al Pil-Pil or Garlic Cod, a house speciality

After the more traditional pintxos of Bar Gatz, we went next door to Irrintzi. This was their Nido de Pollo Lacado con Rúcula or Nest of Lacquered Chicken with Rocket

Pintxo de Cerdo y Piña a la Mostaza de Dijon or Pork and Pineapple with Dijon Mustard

Pretty Hot Dogs

This was delicious, Crujiente de Manzana con Pato en Salsa de Cacahuete or Crispy Apple with Shredded Duck and Peanut Sauce.

We had some great tortilla at Café Concha. This was a Spinach Tortilla with Bechamel.