|
|
|||||||||
The Bits 'n Pieces section has been put together to provide a place to hold information which doesn't really fit in the other sections (I do dislike the term "miscellaneous"). As the page evolves, some of this may end up in another place. But, for the time being, welcome to the catchall of The Spanish Wine Page.
Bits 'n Pieces
Last update: 15 April 2000Contents
A Trip To Rioja
A Trip to Rioja
I had the opportunity to spend two days in Haro, La Rioja; and thought it would be a good excuse to talk about some of my favorite subjects: Spanish food, wine and (of course) wineries.
I drove the 350 odd kilometers from Madrid to Haro useing my favorite mode of transportation (when the weather's good) - a motorcycle. The route was to head north from Madrid toward Burgos, then turning off toward Soria, finally heading over the Piqueras Pass toward Logroño. If you get a chance to travel in this direction, the Iregua River Valley down toward Logroño from Piqueras is a truly beautiful drive.
Haro, some 40 kilometers northwest of Logroño is the center of the Rioja winery region. The area is packed with wineries, wine shops, and some excellent restaurants as well. The major Rioja bodegas are all within easy driving distance from Haro.
I stopped in at several well known "bodegas" - La Rioja Alta, and Muga in Haro; Torre de Oña and Palacio near Laguardia, and Berberana in Cenicero. All make some fine wines and are certainly worth the visit. The Torre de Oña winery is small, modern and well worth a visit. You'll probably like their wine, "Barón de Oña". (Take a look at "The Rioja Winery Tours" section for more information.)
If your travel plans include Spain and La Rioja, don't forget to stop in Haro. There is an elegant hotel in town, "Los Augustinos", built in an historic Augustinian monastery. A more modest, but highly recommendable hotel is "Iturrimurri" on the Haro-Logroño road, with a comfortable rooms, a good restaurant and a friendly attitude. Talking about restaurants, don't miss the local specialties: lamb chops, black-bean stew and spicy stuffed peppers known as "pimientos de piquillo".
{J.Riis, 28 Sept 1995}
Places to Go
As time goes by, this section will probably evolve into a small scale restaurant and travel guide. A present, I'll store the interesting places here as I find them. Enjoy.
Viridiana
Viridiana is one of Madrid's great restaurants, with a star in the Michelin Guide. Abraham Garcia's food is innovative, varied, and based on the best of Spanish cuisine, with a modern creative touch. For the wine lover, Viridiana is a joy - there are some 500 labels to choose from and a stock of 26,000 bottles carefully stored away!
Viridiana
Juan de Mena, 14
28014 Madrid
Tel: 531-5222Note:
This has been a personal favorite of mine for many years. The food is great, but it's not cheap. Credit Cards: VISA & AMEX.
Nicolás
Nicolas is one of those special restaurants that combines the best of traditional Spanish cuisine with a creative, modern touch. Juan Antonio Mendez has managed to put together an interesting and varied menu - at an attractive price. The wine list is exceptional, with some 200 quality wines to choose from.
Nicolas
Villalar, 4
28001 Madrid
Tel:431 77 37
Don't forget to make a reservation. Most major credit cards accepted.
Marinado
Marinado is a fine restaurant with very respectable wine list. In addition to a la carte, they do a nice four-course fixed price meal at lunchtime. The owner and chef is Javier, and he works wonders with mushrooms, fish and just about anything. It's around the corner from "Nicolas", not too far from the main Castellana boulevard between the "Plaza de Cibeles" & "Plaza de Colon".
Marinado
Recoletos, 9
28001 Madrid
Tel: 576 22 11
Most major credit cards accepted.
La Abadia
La Abadia is a wine shop with a built in tasting area. Manuel Gamella has been running the establishment for nearly 10 years. Located to the northwest on the outskirts of Madrid, La Abadia offers an interesting approach to Spanish wines: each week Manuel selects 3 or 4 "house" wines, this way you can try several new wines each week, at a very reasonable price. If your interest is trying, buying, or both - check out:
La Abadia
Cruz, 3
28220 Majadahonda (Madrid)
Tel: 638 58 92
Alfredo's Barbacoa
Alfredo's is famous for making the best burgers in Madrid. If you're around Madrid, and get nostalgic for a real (not plastic) hamburger, stop by Alfredo's. Alfredo, an American who prefers western garb, is the man in charge. It's certainly not elegant, and the decor and service can only be described as "different", but the beef is first-rate. The wine list's a little short, the house wine is a young Rioja with Alfredo's picture on the label, there's also pretty good Cune, as well as draft Guinesss, Aguila (Spanish lager), and a selection of American bottled beer.
Alfredo's Barbacoa
Juan Hurtado de Mendoza, 11
28036 Madrid
Tel: 345 1639, 350 3321
A Tapas, A Spanish Specialty
For the uninitiated, "tapas" are snacks designed to be served with your drink. The name apparently comes from the custom of the barman covering the glass of wine with a slice of bread, cheese, or salami to keep the flies from drinking too much - "tapa" means cover in Spanish.
Madrid is probably the best known "tapa" destination, but the tradition is observed in many parts - especially in the southern half of the country. There are two approches to tapas: one is a "freebie", a simple snack which comes with the price of your drink (hopefully wine); the second is a side-order of snacking material purchased to accompany that delightful glass of wine.
Madrid is full of bars, and most offer tapas of one sort or another. Following is a list of possible tapa stops in Madrid. (You can stop at two or three and make that your evening meal.)
la taberna del sumiller, is located to the north, not far from the Real Madrid's Bernabeu soccer stadium, at the intersection of Victor de la Serna & Colombia. Excellent tapas, menu of the day, a good a la carte selection, and an incredible selection of wines by the glass or bottle. A reservation is almost always needed.la taberna del sumiller
Victor de la Serna, 37
Tel: 91 359 85 95
El Caserio, is located in the northern part of the city, not far from the Melia Castilla Hotel. Cured "serrano" ham is a house specialty, but they also offer a great selection of tapas: cheese, mushrooms, shrimp, etc.El Caserio
Capitan Haya, 49
Tel: 91 570 9629
La Trucha is one of Madrid's best known tapa bars. Located near the old city center, La Trucha is usually packed. There's a great selection of tapas to go along with that glass of wine or "fino".La Trucha
Manuel Fernandez y Gonzalez, 3
Tel: 91 429 5833
Las Cumbres is an Andalucian style restaurant, specializing in a wide variety of fried fish dishes. Located on the northern side of Madrid, they also do tapas of all sorts. Try the "fritura andaluza", a mixed platter of delicately fried small fish - terrific!Las Cumbres
Alberto Alcocer, 32
Tel: 91 458 7692
Hevia is one the "luxury" tapa spots in Madrid. Located on Serrano, on of the city's most elegant shopping avenues, Hevia offers a good variety of first-class tapas.Hevia
Serrano, 118
Tel: 91 562 3075
Jose Luis is another of the classy, more up-market tapa locations. It's just across the street from Hevia, and they do a superb batter-fried hake tapa, and another of tenderloin - both of which make the visit worthwhile.Jose Luis
Serrano, 89
Tel: 563 0958
El Rincón de Goya, situated in the well-to-do "Barrio de Salamanca" district, is a bar/restaurant with great tapas. A nice something comes with each drink, and you can order extra tapas as well. Try the "croquetas" (croquettes) with the excellent house Rioja, or for something different: vermouth - on tap & served with a splash of soda.El Rincón de Goya
Lagasca, 46
Tel: 91 576 38 89
Classical Madrid Tapa Bars - "tabernas"
Here are some old-fashioned, genuine "tabernas" in the heart of old Madrid. One can visit all four - for an afternoon or evening tapa session. Take the Metro to Sol, get out your tourist map, and go for it!
Casa Labra
Tetuán, 12Los Gabrieles
Echegaray, 17La Chuleta
EchegarayCasa Alberto
Huertas, 18La Dolores
Plaza de Jesús, 4{J.Riis, 18 Jan 1996}
|
 |
All Rights Reserved: 1995 - 2008
Hosted by: Verio |