margauxspain
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Post by margauxspain on Nov 19, 2021 12:01:17 GMT -5
As a professional working couple, it is a necessity to have our "menu del día" lunch out at least 3 to 4 times a week.
I enjoy cooking however, with time to go to the Mercat de Boquería (central market) and to prepare without rushing ..
What we both enjoy most after a long day is to go to our fave neighbourhood bars for a tapa or 2 and have a couple of fine wines by the glass.
Weekends, we usually dine out on Saturday ..
In warmer climate, we love to sit on a terrace .. At moment, we do as well with "heat lamps" which are sort of a pole lamp with a mushroom shaped heater run on electricity and are very popular here and throughout Spain.
Have a lovely weekend.
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Post by wallycat on Nov 19, 2021 13:21:24 GMT -5
We do not dine out much, especially since the pandemic. I've done a pizza carryout from a local (not chain) place for my b-day last year and we've done take out sushi for our anniversary. Otherwise, I cook most of our meals. I don't know how quality/cost of food compares in Spain to the US but we have found purchasing ingredients allows us higher quality/cost.
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gilgamesh37
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Post by gilgamesh37 on Nov 19, 2021 14:44:55 GMT -5
At least where I live (the Midwest) there's not much between super casual/chain restaurants (Applebee's, TGIF, BWW) and then the special occasion, super spendy places. For the few who do fall between, the tapa or two plus a couple of fine wines by glass would easily amount to $70-100, and there's no way we could afford that a couple times a week---I wouldn't even be comfortable doing that once a week. Partly because of this, in the Before Times, my husband and I would often go out to lunch somewhere on the weekends---easier to stick to $50-60 for the two of us--but only once a weekend. I think there are just way more relaxing bistro type options in Europe than here (at least outside of major metro/urban areas like NYC or LA).
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margauxspain
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Post by margauxspain on Nov 19, 2021 15:14:29 GMT -5
Gil Gamesh & Wally Cat, Firstly, a glass of very good wine runs approx. 2.50 - 3.00 €uros a glass. Tapas run between 2 €uros - 15.00 € depending upon the tapa and size. We share 2 different tapas usually. The older Spanish taverns, we frequent are much better quality and larger portions than the "trendy" newer establishments. After a day´s work, this is how we un-wind and catch up .. It is a true enjoyment for us. We also do a Pizza at the weekends as we are grand fans: A Napoletano Margherita is 10 - 12 €uros and is more than enough for the two of us. Prepared with fresh mozzarella di bufala, fresh tomatoes, fresh basil, Italian Evoo. I realise the prices for food are quite a bit cheaper here in Spain then they are abroad, in North America or the U.K. A menu del dia (in the Spanish Constitution ) is a 3 course lunch; A basket of bread, starter, main course and a choice of dessert and a bottle of wine. These Menu del Dias had begun in the 1940s for labourers. They run between 10 € and 20 € Per Lunch and they are only served Monday - Friday. Restaurants are packed full from 13.30 - 15.30. This is our main meal of the day. Dinners are always light week days. When I do work remote, at home, I do prepare lunch and it is more costly ! 
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Post by wallycat on Nov 19, 2021 16:01:46 GMT -5
I think that is the issue for many of us in America; quality of food is only recently being appreciated...the 1950-1990s was a "we want cheap and fast" attitude and only now it is becoming painfully alarming about animal husbandry, cost/quality and diet/health, never mind the climate impact from farming of all types. Many have always known it to be so and could find a few local places but for a huge swath of America, that is not the case. When I hear that McD and KFC are proud of opening their chains overseas, I weep.
I smiled. We have not found wine for $3.00/glass since the 1980s. And I'm talking cheap "house wine" at a low-priced restaurant...lucky to find it for $6-9, at least out here.
We no longer work so cooking/finding time is less important but even when we both worked full time, I cooked (quality/cost issues).
Margaux, your area sounds beautiful and reasonable. I would happily support a local place with reasonable prices and good quality food. Especially with working/discretionary income, your style makes sense. No wonder I long to go back to Europe, LOL!!
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Post by mcgee on Nov 19, 2021 16:52:33 GMT -5
Since the pandemic hit we've only been out to dinner once, did take out sushi twice, and did take out pizza probably 5 times. DH also goes and gets bean and cheese burritos for us every other Wednesday for lunch and then we don't eat dinner that night. Pre-pandemic we'd go out to an early dinner about once a month and it was usually to the same little bar/restaurant. We'd sit at the bar and order one hamburger with onion rings and we'd split it. We'd also each get a couple of glasses of wine. The burger/fries combo cost around $12 dollars and we paid a slight upcharge to swap the fries for the onion rings. I think the wine probably cost $5 per glass as it was happy hour and it was cheap wine  . I actually woke up this morning with a real hankering to go out to dinner tonight but will probably put it off until I get my booster on Dec. 7 - yay!
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margauxspain
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Post by margauxspain on Nov 20, 2021 7:35:50 GMT -5
Wally Cat,
Speaking of wines, A glass of Protos from Ribera del Duero is approx. 3 € for a stemware glass .. A bottle runs approx. €8.00 more or less retail. It is a very good bargain for this quality OAK AGED Tempranillo grape red.
There is a fixed national government law in which a restaurant cannot charge more than a certain amount for a bottle on their wine cartes. So if a bottle is 8 € in a wine shop, a restaurant can only charge 16 € for the bottle plus the IVA on the whole bill.
If you do travel to Spain in the future, I highly suggest that you go to the Madrid Capital. It is quite an amazingly extraordinary city for museums, history, retail therapy, MODERN exceptional public transport, restaurants from A To Z types including 21 Michelin Starred venues and is entitled the Old Manhattan of Europe.
Barcelona hosts some of the most beautiful Gaudi architecture and museums as well. However, it is alot more expensive than Madrid.
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margauxspain
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Post by margauxspain on Nov 20, 2021 7:42:16 GMT -5
McGee,
Have an exceptional December 7th, just 3 weeks away !
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margauxspain
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Post by margauxspain on Nov 20, 2021 13:11:02 GMT -5
Here are the baby breaded squids called Chiporones. 
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Post by mcgee on Nov 20, 2021 15:01:46 GMT -5
Here are the baby breaded squids called Chiporones.  It looks like calamari- yum!
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margauxspain
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Post by margauxspain on Nov 21, 2021 10:51:31 GMT -5
Yes, calamari are normally sliced in arcs and breaded and sautéed in Evoo.
Chipirones are baby squid and prepared same way.
They have their nuances (differences) in taste and texture.
Both are fantastic !!!!
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margauxspain
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Post by margauxspain on Nov 22, 2021 13:52:08 GMT -5
  An Italian Risotto at home while working remote on a rainy Monday.
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Post by emma on Nov 27, 2021 17:08:03 GMT -5
Has covid-19 had an effect om Tapas Bars and restaurants in Spain? Restaurants in the United States have been hit hard. That seems to have eased a bit - but who knows what to expect with the Omicron mutant looming worldwide.
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margauxspain
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Post by margauxspain on Dec 4, 2021 11:41:10 GMT -5
Covid & Spain ..
Each autonimous region has its own regulations, all which were approved by the high courts or disapproved.
Madrid is alot better than Barcelona.
So, as we are on holiday until December 9th, the National Law is to wear a mask in ALL indoor public buildings including Hotels, Restaurants, Hospitals and all shops.
There is a Covid Passport ruling too, which is required corporations, travelling by air, high speed rail, long distance rail and long distance coach buses. This is given only to those who are vaccinated.
The majority of NON Schengen E.U. countries cannot travel in the E.U. at this time without checking government regulations.
South Africans cannot travel to the E.U. at all at this time.
Air travel is not in the stars for awhile !!! We wanted to go to Italia, however, we decided to stay within Spain in 2021.
Hope things are improving in the Usa.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2021 6:16:24 GMT -5
Well, I know this incredible Indian restaurant that serves unique egg-based platter that will undoubtedly take your breath away. The chefs use fresh ingredients and take personal taste preferences into consideration while cooking. It is called the EggHolic and has outlets in Chicago, Schaumburg, Louisville, and Dublin. You can check out their menu here. Hope you have a good time! Let me know if you visit.
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Post by emma on Dec 10, 2021 15:28:49 GMT -5
SPAM.
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margauxspain
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Post by margauxspain on Dec 18, 2021 14:09:27 GMT -5
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