• Home
  • Takeout Foods
  • Blog
jollybelly

SEGUNDA VEZ EN BAR ZERUKO

3/30/2017

0 Comments

 
The first time I was here, I was too full from a La Cepa dinner to do a serious Pintxo bar crawl. I knew better this time. I started with Bar Zeruko. And almost got stuck here. The '2 pintxos and a drink' rule can't, won't apply. Not content with what's on display at the bar, we ordered from the kitchen. Must be the txakoli. So white and clear and young and Basque!
Picture
Picture
Picture
The fruits from the sea were great starters. La Hoguera literally translates to "bonfire" and La Hoguera de Bacalao is a special Pintxo here where your smoked cod is served "smoking" until it's ready to rest on a toast smothered with some herbal cream and a vial of warm, liquid salad dressing. Such effort in presentation! And how about this bowl of baby eels and creamed uni with a dash of perejil sauce? Yum.
Picture
Picture
I chose another bacalao dish -- this cod being one of my personal favorites. It looked interesting on display at the bar, bottled with a green pepper and some cheese at the top. Plated, it looked kinda ordinary, methinks. But it was full of flavor and I had to stop myself from having seconds.
Picture
Picture
The chistorra came wrapped and was served with a mildly spicy tomato sauce. The mushroom pintxos were good but not what I'd order next time. I was likewise intrigued with the soft boiled egg encased in a gelatinous meat stock and served on a bed of Migas or bread crumbs flavored with chorizo. Every dish is so creatively done. How delightful!
Picture
Picture
My niece and I shared these pintxos and decided we should start moving. Txakoli on hand, we cheered we had a good start. Bar Zeruko rocks!
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Restaurant Iruñazarra

3/25/2017

0 Comments

 
There are many dining options in Pamplona's Plaza Del Castillo and the streets and alleys around it. We found this one.
Picture
The pig's cheeks and white asparagus salad were superb. I'm a sucker for white asparagus and will have them whenever they're in season. The pig's cheeks dish was cooked a la estofado but not quite. Served with steaming rice!
Picture
If you're here, you have the choice of a sit-down meal or a bar set-up where you can enjoy your Rioja and some pintxos. Both are very good. I was intrigued by many tapa or Pintxo varieties but only tried one. No room for more. 😭
Picture
But what I had, I liked! The Iberico con quezo with honeyed walnuts was sooo good. Somehow, I regretted not sitting at the bar. I could have tried some others I haven't had the chance to figure out.
Picture
Buen Provecho!
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Hurrup Eta Klik (St. Jean Pied de Port)

3/22/2017

0 Comments

 
We only stayed 2 nights here. Both nights we dined in this place. No regrets. The variety may be limited but with only 2 people running the restaurant, I'm amazed how they manage to keep customers happy with prompt service and food quality.
Picture
My sister is a meat person while I prefer vegetables and fish. The Entrecôte, served with salad and potatoes made my sister happy. Another time she had chicken roasted in its juice which was equally good. I liked the chicken too, savory and very tender.
Picture
But we both agree the soup is the best. I was happy with their generous portion in a big bowl, filled to the brim with potatoes, carrots and leafy veggies. The beef and vegetable broth was served piping hot, perfect with the bread.
Picture
Btw, Hurrup Eta Klik translates to SUCK ON. How about that, eh? 🤣🤐😳
0 Comments

Hotel Itzalpea in Saint Jean Pied de Port

3/22/2017

0 Comments

 
Can't resist putting in a few words on our charming hotel in Saint Jean Pied de Port. It wasn't my first choice, but have absolutely no regrets booking 2 nights here where pilgrims start their Camino Frances.
Picture
Picture
Hotel Itzalpea is right outside the walled area, just a few steps from the gate leading to Rue de France. You can view it from the slits if you're walking on the ramparts of the muralla.
Picture
Picture
The interiors are very simple. After all, it only has 3 floors. We were lucky to have the room with a view of the street and the walls. Not noisy like other hotel rooms on the street side. Breakfasts can be had for €9 a set , which was quite enormous! No hot meals but ham, marmalade, jams, yogurt, bread basket, pie, pots of coffee, tea or chocolate.
Picture
Picture
The rooms go for about €70 a night, twin. Good-sized, clean and well-appointed. It wasn't pilgrim season yet when we arrived, so expect a crowd by the front where they set up tables under the sun.
Picture
Picture
I'd book this hotel again when I head back. Very charming.
0 Comments

Museo de Jamon

3/13/2017

0 Comments

 
I know. It's NOT the best. It's a tourist trap. But it will do for first timers. (We set the bar higher as we go along, ei?) Many tourists are in the littered ground floor where the tapas bar is. Then there's the line for those who want a sit-down meal on the 2nd floor.
Picture
The callos madrileño must be a top must-eat along with the Jamon y quezos. Most certainly you don't get the best callos served here. Nor the pulpo de gallego, which really disappointed. After Galicia & Pais Vasco, one gets a bit more discerning with his octopus dish. I regretted having ordered pulpo here.
Picture
Usually, the pecaditos here are crunchier and the fried boquerones are crispier. Not today though. Not sure if the kitchen's too busy with so many diners or quality has suffered. Both would have been perfect with our order of Sangria.
Picture
Picture
Well, there would be many other dining places to try. No rush. As they say, build up the excitement!
0 Comments

People's Palace & Thai Original BBQ

3/9/2017

0 Comments

 

All in a week. A tale of 2 Thai restos. Both good. One kind of pricier, but still highly recommended despite the small portions.
Picture
You can never go wrong with People's Palace in Greenbelt 3. Always up to the job for a Thai fix. The Pomelo Salad tasted so clean, uncomplicated and refreshing. Great starter along with prawns wrapped in crispy noodles (off the menu). Naturally, I had to have my Green Chicken Curry in a bowl. Shared it but I must have consumed half the bowl. Son-in-law's Eggs (wth!) was surprisingly delish. The crispy lapu lapu fillets and pork with peppercorn are all winners. The 5 of us tried to do justice with our food choices, capped with the very Thai Thako (tapioca pudding with coconut cream) and sticky rice with Mango. On full bellies, we burped our satisfaction over the food and lemon grass drinks.
Picture
Picture
If you care to have your Thai fix elsewhere and cheaper, try Thai Original BBQ at BGC. The catfish salad goes perfectly with their BBQ. These two plus the eggplant with basil dish complete a great Thai meal. Oh, if there's room, go for the Thai halo halo. Share it too! The sticky rice in the halo halo really fills you up so save that for last. Bon apetit!
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

    Archives

    January 2019
    September 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013

    Categories

    All
    Desserts
    Good Eats
    Healthy Dishes

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.