Malaga

We arrived at our hostel a little early and the guy at reception recommended a few place to have lunch while our room was being prepared. We decided to go to Cafe con Libros and had Crepes.

Queso Brie, Jamon Serrano y Mermalada de Frambuesa (Brie, ham and Raspberry jam)

Pollo al Enelda con Nata Liquida ( Creamy Chicken and Dill)

We decided that we would eat really cheaply for a couple of days and go out for a really good meal on our last night with the money saved.

So, Carrie had her first ever Big Mac

and I had my first ever Taco Bell, I'd been waiting years for that. So Good!

We tried some local fortified wine at Antigua Casa de Guardia, we had Malaga Seco a slightly honeyed fortified wine. 

We decided to have a good meal at El Tapeo de Cervantes

A really good tiny restaurant (7 tables) that is famous for its tapas. It was worth saving the pennies for.

Atun Rojo a la plancha, con emulsion de Coliflor y Calabaza (Grilled Tuna with Cauliflower and Pumpkin Purees)

Chipirones Frescos a la Sarten con Espinacas Salteadas (Seared fresh Baby Squids with Saute Spinach)

Boletus y Esparragos a la plancha con Jamon Iberico ( Grilled Boletus Mushroom and Asparagus with Ham)

Albondigas de Ternera con Salsa de Tomate y Arroz (Meatballs, Tomato Sauce and Rice)

Empanadas Argentinas de Carne Ternera (Argentinian Beef Pastrys)

Carillada de Cerdo en Salsa con Alubias y Guindilla (Pork cheeks with White Beans and Spicy Chillies)

Panqueque con Dulce de Leche y Nueces (Caramelised Sweet Milk and Nut Pancake)

Brownie de Chocolate con Frutos Rojos y Helado (Chocolate Brownie, Red Fruit and Ice Cream)

Not on the menu but the coat hangers looked quite tasty.

Montilla

 Ok, Montilla. We spent 2 days here which was 1 day too many. We had a plan to go to a restaurant which was recommended but it turned out to be closed. There really aren't many other places to go, so this section is going to be very short with just a couple of dishes that were quite local.

The restaurant we went to was called Taberna La Chiva and this little beauty was called a Crispin. Can't find anything about it on the internet but its basically salt cod and potato, breadcrumbed and deep fried. Smothered in a ketchup/mayo sauce.

Churrasco (Grilled veal) in lots of garlic butter

So visit for one day and try a book a bodega tour well in advance. 

We managed to get a mini tasting at Perez Barquero. Despite emailing them we couldn't get a tour but they gave us a mini tasting. Montilla is a wine region similar to Jerez but the sherries aren't quite up to standard. The Pedro Ximenez is worth trying and is much cheaper than Jerez as its the main grape for the region.

Cordoba

We flew from Barcelona to Seville and had a quick lunch before getting the train to Cordoba

We had Arroz de Marisco (Seafood rice, a sloppy version of Paella)

When we arrived in Cordoba we went to a local restaurant near our Pension.

We had an Andalusian speciality Fried Aubergine with Pedro Ximenez and Deep fried Cod.

We had lunch at Garum 2.1 Bistronomic Tapas Bar. We had Spicy Chicken and Goats Cheese Pinxtos to start

Followed by Salmorejo

Bacalao Brochetas with Pesto

Really tender Ribs

We had dinner at Bodegas Mezquita Cespedes. This was there Mixed Salad

Meatballs in an Almond Sauce and Oxtail Croquetas

All the desserts, wish I could remember what they were!

This could have been responsible for the memory loss. Very special Chestnut Liqueur 

The largest Spanish Tortilla you'll ever see at Bar Santos

They were MASSIVE!!

Dinner at Casa Rubio started off with Ajo Blanco

Then we had Pisto

Moorish Style Potatoes (Chips and Curry Sauce basically)

Pork Steak with a Truffle Sauce

We ate at Taberna Salinas twice because it was very cheap and really good. Deep fried Anchovies are the best!

Some traditional Cordoban cuisine Flamenquin

We visited Mercado Victoria for lunch and there was lots to choose from

Pinchitos de Pollo y Cordero (Chicken and Lamb)

 Chicken and Plum and Rabbit Empanadas

Meaty Senoritas

Back at Taberna Salinas we had Pork Loin with Hazelnut Sauce 

Grilled Baby Squids

Cheesecake with Pedro Ximenez

This represents one of our many lunches at 100 Montaditos. A Spanish fast food chain that serves 100 different mini baguettes and is so cheap. We usually go on a Wednesday or Sunday for lunch when everything on the menu is 1 Euro. Great on a budget, everything in the photo came to 10 euros.

Barcelona

We arrived in Barcelona after an 8 hour bus journey very, very hungry and as you will see, we ate well!

El Mercat de Boqueria

The market has all sorts of fresh produce and is massive!

The first restaurant we visited was Las Fernandez, we were 6 people and decided to the special menu which was a selection of dishes from the menu with wine included.

The first dish to arrive was Lacón con Pimientos (Pork Shoulder and Peppers)

Pabs loved it

Next dish to arrive was 'Papas don't preach' (fried potatoes with salsa verde), modeled by Angie.

Cazuela de Sardinas (Sardine mousse/dip)

Setas en ensalada al queso de Posada de Valdeon y nueces (Wild mushroom salad, really good!)

Wok fried Angulas and mixed vegetables (Angulas are tiny eels that look like noodles)

Pasta Fresca (Ravioli filled with feta and spinach)

Albondigas (Meatballs in a wild mushroom sauce)

All the desserts!!

Orujo de Hierba Shots!

Another good Paella at La Salamanca. Thanks Jim and Olive!

Pavo, Lechuga y Mayonesa Tostada (Really good Turkey Club at Fast Vinic)

Carrie had Bacalao a la llauna (Salt Cod Baguette)

Pablo's famous Breakfast Burrito, take note of all the hot sauces!

La Champaneria, if you are ever in Barcelona you MUST go here at least once.

The bar is constantly packed so there are no tables and you have to order food if you want to drink the crazily cheap cava. 4/5 Euros per bottle!

Now that is what I call food. Had good chorizo burps after this.

Moritz Brewery

This place is really cool, the design of the building is incredible and the beer is so good.

As well as the German influences on the menu. This was my dish.

I thought I may have accidentally ordered a dish for 2 people but the waiter assured me it was a single portion. Holy crap! There was Hock Ham, Thick Bacon, Various Sausages all on a bed of Sauerkraut.

Equally amazing was the Poussin on a beer can, the beer is poured in the dish and the Poussin is cooked on top of the beer can. All the juices mix with the beer, really delicious.

We love you Barca x