tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-284896712024-03-06T01:02:11.323-08:00Well Fed TravelWELL FED TRAVEL is for people who have an interest in discovering culinary adventures during their travels. If your travel photos include open air markets, restaurants and shots of your dinner, this may be of interest to you. They say an army travels on its stomach, but so do those of us who travel for pleasure, without itineraries set in stone. We can avail ourselves of any food opportunities that present themselves. This blog is for those of us who can truly say, "I'm here for the food".Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28489671.post-89567666548746839802022-06-03T14:45:00.000-07:002022-08-20T11:30:06.035-07:00Irati Taverna Basca<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-eNdmobDPY26ED1LmrpElvAPxsHkDTI_ENnw6FoHsTPpQ3leVOv1rHfwOOzlnj2dJsdODF6EBaDUafBJMcR4NWlAlB8fspohkJrSSRBxUGfyaONGX18oHtnCfOT6YjuRxot9cA/s1600/DSC01334.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-eNdmobDPY26ED1LmrpElvAPxsHkDTI_ENnw6FoHsTPpQ3leVOv1rHfwOOzlnj2dJsdODF6EBaDUafBJMcR4NWlAlB8fspohkJrSSRBxUGfyaONGX18oHtnCfOT6YjuRxot9cA/s640/DSC01334.JPG" width="600" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCV9mGsoL04cgrAuPNKlvbSv3oKeSwt3x7SznUr6OipAsCCSQE9iSpHYjjXQ-2396H3VfkOwADSzX5X9_CLYs-g38pZRar1CUUlkUeOKKBp_Nim2PIcLiUFuMDeRrfJXPwL7L1Q/s1600/DSC01323.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCV9mGsoL04cgrAuPNKlvbSv3oKeSwt3x7SznUr6OipAsCCSQE9iSpHYjjXQ-2396H3VfkOwADSzX5X9_CLYs-g38pZRar1CUUlkUeOKKBp_Nim2PIcLiUFuMDeRrfJXPwL7L1Q/s320/DSC01323.JPG" width="250" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxHcRSvLHa_edIfyA1MMC8lbtO8lXbGBW5lZvVmKVctsMZJgSXSNsKldv9haKb1aNOLjkFeNK-KXl6LLxTLjKGSihIwUqOgABwvtYhGyo2NA4qiSRULgSsUKK28bWCR8mug3wrA/s1600/DSC01351.JPG" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxHcRSvLHa_edIfyA1MMC8lbtO8lXbGBW5lZvVmKVctsMZJgSXSNsKldv9haKb1aNOLjkFeNK-KXl6LLxTLjKGSihIwUqOgABwvtYhGyo2NA4qiSRULgSsUKK28bWCR8mug3wrA/s320/DSC01351.JPG" width="250" /></a><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">No mater where you go in Spain, you can always find small bites in bars, served alongside wine and cava, the Spanish version of champagne. Most restaurants serve a few tapas, but few tapas bars serve full meals. Luckily for visitors to</span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"> Barcelona, you can find both full meals and the traditional Basque tapas called pintxos, pronounced pinchos, at Irati Taverna Basca, on a side street just off La Rambla in Barri Gotic. No matter how many pintxos we have eaten in Basque towns and cities, Irati always comes to the top of the list for diversity of taste, complexity, and eye appeal.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzQdfKy4qWDNJowhWoSXWw9WKoTDOtoahqzPS10m1xUPZXWAikLPLJj0mk8ROXACeT0iZGyL41Y9aYRwQbJttL4n9bmRu7AHi0WjMgig_aRMIpmklfc3Iq-kMzAwc4LeqCgGruQ/s1600/DSC01326.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzQdfKy4qWDNJowhWoSXWw9WKoTDOtoahqzPS10m1xUPZXWAikLPLJj0mk8ROXACeT0iZGyL41Y9aYRwQbJttL4n9bmRu7AHi0WjMgig_aRMIpmklfc3Iq-kMzAwc4LeqCgGruQ/s320/DSC01326.JPG" width="170" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklJ3JP9hqmHEEoAoLmjLYkl4Y6uxoUnQy7xYI5N0Q1dcg6ENDfqkGL67DTbBr6qxXbfEwYBrIrM6c24B5JEt7QjQCZIGJixH-n_xI0Y5MVjGyvAQbE_z3_D0BpSaT__g0BCjoYw/s1600/DSC01340.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklJ3JP9hqmHEEoAoLmjLYkl4Y6uxoUnQy7xYI5N0Q1dcg6ENDfqkGL67DTbBr6qxXbfEwYBrIrM6c24B5JEt7QjQCZIGJixH-n_xI0Y5MVjGyvAQbE_z3_D0BpSaT__g0BCjoYw/s320/DSC01340.JPG" width="170" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbfe4bGPNeV-e-ff9N7gfl8-UIBIwoPBhwvKOJ68fj-s1etpyhtaF41zWeeceUKzQ8rmodLX_4SuutpqG6x4wPj6gm71rCs58cVLQwIxCjyp7zUcH7HGsxPxP2H0PmG-Bb3T9FQ/s1600/DSC01343.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnbfe4bGPNeV-e-ff9N7gfl8-UIBIwoPBhwvKOJ68fj-s1etpyhtaF41zWeeceUKzQ8rmodLX_4SuutpqG6x4wPj6gm71rCs58cVLQwIxCjyp7zUcH7HGsxPxP2H0PmG-Bb3T9FQ/s320/DSC01343.JPG" width="170" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">Although banderillas, small pickled items including olives, small onions, anchovies and peppers on wooden skewers, can be considered both tapas and pintxos, what typically differentiates the two is something as simple as a slice of bread. The sausage above are pintxos, although they would be called tapas if just the sausages were served in an oven baking dish, the same can be said of the tortilla espanola to the right, an egg and potato omelette. Most of these and the following can be found just about anywhere.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbf3lIJLzj5oMHFIO3rWV-FxE83kRlbtcRKsJ2HgqFw-fBDPMRBNh0nS2Pn1WDTCG8Gw4Dj-oDzxZoaynvPiYjeN7EIHFRek1Y2IIXY8d0iRhq2Wgp7qm95DKPI8OsaXzsmE-Hg/s1600/DSC01328.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbf3lIJLzj5oMHFIO3rWV-FxE83kRlbtcRKsJ2HgqFw-fBDPMRBNh0nS2Pn1WDTCG8Gw4Dj-oDzxZoaynvPiYjeN7EIHFRek1Y2IIXY8d0iRhq2Wgp7qm95DKPI8OsaXzsmE-Hg/s320/DSC01328.JPG" width="170" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTe0aiUdiw59yv7hBDvvoAlXBbGvi4YuzAKNnR_a5Z2dIwoOyVFhebDWMVQCBwn9-wKSjhFaKPF4eGE4xXJKJFuy6ZP-P9sAtZWCn3FN07fAokkB40Ma5wOcW-HYC90tDKEeKKcw/s1600/DSC01331.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTe0aiUdiw59yv7hBDvvoAlXBbGvi4YuzAKNnR_a5Z2dIwoOyVFhebDWMVQCBwn9-wKSjhFaKPF4eGE4xXJKJFuy6ZP-P9sAtZWCn3FN07fAokkB40Ma5wOcW-HYC90tDKEeKKcw/s200/DSC01331.JPG" width="170" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18Fi56GoxIbqk5iGrYbuCkFA6bOAul3I1soRAJnK3RE-8cRnh4JhBiL02d4dHpWxFYgWp-hgXb-wPUWa_GZzhEoeLpa95B64VNNrZsZn9ln3zW1k9Jn5xzDs2aQUL2nt_tkfbXw/s1600/DSC01338.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18Fi56GoxIbqk5iGrYbuCkFA6bOAul3I1soRAJnK3RE-8cRnh4JhBiL02d4dHpWxFYgWp-hgXb-wPUWa_GZzhEoeLpa95B64VNNrZsZn9ln3zW1k9Jn5xzDs2aQUL2nt_tkfbXw/s320/DSC01338.JPG" width="170" /></a></div>
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsXunmdMFrHwBHLGWu0nAQ-TgO2kKqV_vkf_01Ixr81H5CUrgHeKzC6GOnsQKCf9DkEDGsXGfxJGnv9G43FH-uFKBvXrbEfG8Da04PqEw3AvXfk9_og-jZoC_yPD_bkNZ0T3USg/s1600/DSC01459.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsXunmdMFrHwBHLGWu0nAQ-TgO2kKqV_vkf_01Ixr81H5CUrgHeKzC6GOnsQKCf9DkEDGsXGfxJGnv9G43FH-uFKBvXrbEfG8Da04PqEw3AvXfk9_og-jZoC_yPD_bkNZ0T3USg/s320/DSC01459.JPG" width="170" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3sgUVg5lWXD6p1kv_fQrwQk9_nOypsw7wyNcH9fHVQTCCa14oPCOAtkVcV1pAAxWy3Tvacxc9B4mc6NJOByOQFimzMSQwLXdGUts9sbsmXS7b9UaM2DHsvsFhjjnWTCACKmWRng/s1600/DSC01348.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3sgUVg5lWXD6p1kv_fQrwQk9_nOypsw7wyNcH9fHVQTCCa14oPCOAtkVcV1pAAxWy3Tvacxc9B4mc6NJOByOQFimzMSQwLXdGUts9sbsmXS7b9UaM2DHsvsFhjjnWTCACKmWRng/s200/DSC01348.JPG" width="170" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWG65ISRN5wzs9NDRWM46Dq_j6S6PC0WJh6J7HfXBmy4F1xaNc5U3xWsFZLX-U6PB5feLucv0iKEq19rPLZdsL69YLCUutHmH_LAjqNn7Tw_siKHC-FDu5KOjNuZiYPIYpeqMXQ/s1600/DSC01325.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWG65ISRN5wzs9NDRWM46Dq_j6S6PC0WJh6J7HfXBmy4F1xaNc5U3xWsFZLX-U6PB5feLucv0iKEq19rPLZdsL69YLCUutHmH_LAjqNn7Tw_siKHC-FDu5KOjNuZiYPIYpeqMXQ/s200/DSC01325.JPG" width="170" /></a></div>
<br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">Iberico ham; red Piquillo peppers, usually stuffed with tuna or cheese; cheese with fruit preserves and nuts; mini croissants with meat; pickled, white anchovies; or smoked salmon are common enough ingredients. Irati stands out in the less typical, and more creatively thought out combinations of ingredients.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xxIBu2wJJOfPhRKDUKd-TiMAN05otaB_eAbcxHF8_PksbgKCdRTwFBXn4p63vUKNeWBEQ45nJilqfQCCLL7_ujBKm1CiJmN1-axBYrl6hSzfQsLW4EtFfabH4GAwKIY-FUAa0Q/s1600/1-DSC09613.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="600" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xxIBu2wJJOfPhRKDUKd-TiMAN05otaB_eAbcxHF8_PksbgKCdRTwFBXn4p63vUKNeWBEQ45nJilqfQCCLL7_ujBKm1CiJmN1-axBYrl6hSzfQsLW4EtFfabH4GAwKIY-FUAa0Q/s400/1-DSC09613.JPG" width="600" /></a></div>
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">"Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain" or the simple salmon pintxo in the foreground on the left. They are mere distractions. The real stars of this plate are the 3 pintxos at the back and on the right of the plate. I cannot enter the doors of Irati without ordering them. I stopped counting at 5 servings of each. Please don't ask me which is my favorite, because I couldn't possibly choose. They're like triplets, each with their own personalities, and each one as precious as the other two, just different. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPRxvmdQKejnrU0ZZSG4ZsKdNkNQeLtfeFyS4_sdmKQ4twQuiN5EBKaBnUXewPXu2QEHOSLiMuCFMC6wFXUUiIOrAX3utoJ2iB99UbtSSohylDvkn55JAk2bvS-tY96-Ih6Tpig/s1600/3-DSC09615.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPRxvmdQKejnrU0ZZSG4ZsKdNkNQeLtfeFyS4_sdmKQ4twQuiN5EBKaBnUXewPXu2QEHOSLiMuCFMC6wFXUUiIOrAX3utoJ2iB99UbtSSohylDvkn55JAk2bvS-tY96-Ih6Tpig/s400/3-DSC09615.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">The purple color of this pintxo is created by combining minced red cabbage with crab. It's topped by anchovy, fried Padron pepper, a slice of Piquillo pepper, tomato, and the ever so over-the-top squiggle of cream cheese.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5pN2q95Jw-WhbIvw76cy3pdDDIcb3LMT5t4lgtFnub-kVymYsw8wqvtoumJZO20-MY5pFQazWDrrHLxLFbrNiLpOwIdu46xdo5QKxNYIK8XFf8FJMhvDzmhJm5rUyra2YbPaXQ/s1600/DSC01447.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH5pN2q95Jw-WhbIvw76cy3pdDDIcb3LMT5t4lgtFnub-kVymYsw8wqvtoumJZO20-MY5pFQazWDrrHLxLFbrNiLpOwIdu46xdo5QKxNYIK8XFf8FJMhvDzmhJm5rUyra2YbPaXQ/s400/DSC01447.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">This crab salad made with mayonnaise and crab is topped with shredded egg white. So very simple, but very satisfying for taste as well as eye appeal. Most patrons seem surprised that the topping is egg white and not cheese.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWImwuYUQgFd5A50haKR22RL2SJka91WNuGAiuZvJ2cmMJW17WTDJyyNqpwYqLkyfJFuCufhPZjB9bN6XDSXIrqOmJez6G_yvMOEShBdGNM5EeN8WiEYuYGvEgW7xFovA6GlRnXQ/s1600/2-DSC09614.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWImwuYUQgFd5A50haKR22RL2SJka91WNuGAiuZvJ2cmMJW17WTDJyyNqpwYqLkyfJFuCufhPZjB9bN6XDSXIrqOmJez6G_yvMOEShBdGNM5EeN8WiEYuYGvEgW7xFovA6GlRnXQ/s400/2-DSC09614.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">For anyone with a sweet tooth, this cream cheese pintxo, covered in a thin layer of blueberry preserve, is a life raft in the savory sea of pintxos at Irati. I take it as my last bite and treat it as though it were a dessert. Although I have been to Irati at least half a dozen times, I have yet to try their full meals. I never seem to be able to get beyond the pintxos bar and into their dining room. </span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">The following is a photo essay of some of the other pintxos:</span></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNv66aqIwA-yvxvbamPqAQ-adQLEDXsWkU6NoKtlKCpirTfJ63vj5c6Z4-VCzAq4hOQIAch5kjlfM5InvDc6MGGbeh5Mh3eyGhve3G6UfBWb-G3zetI7N3RBS4aXey_-8M636iA/s1600/DSC01321.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNv66aqIwA-yvxvbamPqAQ-adQLEDXsWkU6NoKtlKCpirTfJ63vj5c6Z4-VCzAq4hOQIAch5kjlfM5InvDc6MGGbeh5Mh3eyGhve3G6UfBWb-G3zetI7N3RBS4aXey_-8M636iA/s200/DSC01321.JPG" width="175" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsjLEUdR5OsL8P4W7eIHYUYmU_l2t5VaWzlOnrDpAZTS6yLIiXbO6-mWdvSmoo9P5WkJyYD4-QNDO9U523yWNde39eSvuUJc7MeuDZawlpfZvrnn3AqU9ifTUoTujbDoD0jnX4A/s1600/DSC01320.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsjLEUdR5OsL8P4W7eIHYUYmU_l2t5VaWzlOnrDpAZTS6yLIiXbO6-mWdvSmoo9P5WkJyYD4-QNDO9U523yWNde39eSvuUJc7MeuDZawlpfZvrnn3AqU9ifTUoTujbDoD0jnX4A/s200/DSC01320.JPG" width="175" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxHc99RFdNDHpFyUn0oH67CPIq_h4tOZRJYBazEOXoGx2-7DXIg-wrFa9LiK1yRLsqfSkvbNFg3yj2AYgsj4XhMomAzIZHboUIi7D0Y0_yi6bAr8JcLvrj_3wHK4pKh0u-1RiJYg/s1600/DSC01322.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxHc99RFdNDHpFyUn0oH67CPIq_h4tOZRJYBazEOXoGx2-7DXIg-wrFa9LiK1yRLsqfSkvbNFg3yj2AYgsj4XhMomAzIZHboUIi7D0Y0_yi6bAr8JcLvrj_3wHK4pKh0u-1RiJYg/s200/DSC01322.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAk-ZrrWciVjmDNLIQXr5nDxcX70x4_nYy9l3zTTkr2pWmZqtEhP6VYfPFyT61Gf3t-M530WoEUdYOXpUc_dnuYrOsBJjdjgr7m-T5XHIWeELdlZ_gyMi0LVt7V3iwhuPUydzXoA/s1600/DSC01319.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAk-ZrrWciVjmDNLIQXr5nDxcX70x4_nYy9l3zTTkr2pWmZqtEhP6VYfPFyT61Gf3t-M530WoEUdYOXpUc_dnuYrOsBJjdjgr7m-T5XHIWeELdlZ_gyMi0LVt7V3iwhuPUydzXoA/s200/DSC01319.JPG" width="175" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuW2eRQCeW6Dq4crEPq3n207m0rlCMgrGnBcZKrl_08tWk3vFMC4bS_1Ly1getXTJYd8jIW09OWaKXRYbriHV8Zao7OQAZVkug8IbhXjey5Hv2CPtWb7PHSh7EvzCeF96iVKJ5Rg/s1600/DSC01327.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuW2eRQCeW6Dq4crEPq3n207m0rlCMgrGnBcZKrl_08tWk3vFMC4bS_1Ly1getXTJYd8jIW09OWaKXRYbriHV8Zao7OQAZVkug8IbhXjey5Hv2CPtWb7PHSh7EvzCeF96iVKJ5Rg/s200/DSC01327.JPG" width="175" /></a><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAk-ZrrWciVjmDNLIQXr5nDxcX70x4_nYy9l3zTTkr2pWmZqtEhP6VYfPFyT61Gf3t-M530WoEUdYOXpUc_dnuYrOsBJjdjgr7m-T5XHIWeELdlZ_gyMi0LVt7V3iwhuPUydzXoA/s1600/DSC01319.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrb36BWP2v2PyLPnOyaHpq6XVwbe0-nPgZWl4K1Lh_pL-jp05xZawMu0ub6uSEP0SOQNp3v-YHJ34VeIzT48O8eHsvHFRoRepRISixAM1Gbwyj-RDrIz5QqRAeRsafWCI11neP-A/s1600/DSC01329.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrb36BWP2v2PyLPnOyaHpq6XVwbe0-nPgZWl4K1Lh_pL-jp05xZawMu0ub6uSEP0SOQNp3v-YHJ34VeIzT48O8eHsvHFRoRepRISixAM1Gbwyj-RDrIz5QqRAeRsafWCI11neP-A/s200/DSC01329.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMb1zqSYnMtN_O1beCFuGpkfTrUwv2rQjp8KEYMwMurhvshoSZbSxxXPt_q0jmbqBdt2FmYfpBBOFOMYhUtaYT8eAmtUPFfEoLk5-OEvQuL4402ix8TIdpmGu9Qc06YsKhttbVXA/s1600/DSC01339.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMb1zqSYnMtN_O1beCFuGpkfTrUwv2rQjp8KEYMwMurhvshoSZbSxxXPt_q0jmbqBdt2FmYfpBBOFOMYhUtaYT8eAmtUPFfEoLk5-OEvQuL4402ix8TIdpmGu9Qc06YsKhttbVXA/s200/DSC01339.JPG" width="175" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTkc0gH5YqPoG8huueyeWZBBK9lVD3o6_4Uu2096HdN2LCbp9Qk0Mg8QIx6GCSol_Fv9hdqK8fTTyihU7vsE7osmtOOCRhu-lyk6WhyphenhyphenMyPrH_dSC6kxOYf8H3gxbgP3ZDTCUGWA/s1600/DSC01336.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTkc0gH5YqPoG8huueyeWZBBK9lVD3o6_4Uu2096HdN2LCbp9Qk0Mg8QIx6GCSol_Fv9hdqK8fTTyihU7vsE7osmtOOCRhu-lyk6WhyphenhyphenMyPrH_dSC6kxOYf8H3gxbgP3ZDTCUGWA/s200/DSC01336.JPG" width="175" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4a759vlCZZnB_bluWkxtrkPj2xtaE3eiLLy5XTRU-MD6Nv7qcNWzRBYF2fdISlOLqyYAENkJ_VoAkjU5NI8Dv9c8qGLYc8UnltEjg1Gm1O068d5Jh-RMc-H4YXoVnzhjK09LgQ/s1600/DSC01457.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4a759vlCZZnB_bluWkxtrkPj2xtaE3eiLLy5XTRU-MD6Nv7qcNWzRBYF2fdISlOLqyYAENkJ_VoAkjU5NI8Dv9c8qGLYc8UnltEjg1Gm1O068d5Jh-RMc-H4YXoVnzhjK09LgQ/s320/DSC01457.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">As you walk up La Rambla from the water, to find Irati look for the Dragon Lantern on your right and walk down the stairs, then turn left. Within 2 or 3 blocks, you will see Irati on the left.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZhJVlQvGBcvEK8zSYpnh2oXrUR14lp-aeaNH9W-Rje-q0Yzbjs6lMCEcick4JtwRbVh1uIjVEwPMSKdhtC5v2vwcgJSHKf2Ukgbm9tcWn3Hn9aDQw6QAyZ-75D1w-adyLKxFGg/s1600/DSC01103.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZhJVlQvGBcvEK8zSYpnh2oXrUR14lp-aeaNH9W-Rje-q0Yzbjs6lMCEcick4JtwRbVh1uIjVEwPMSKdhtC5v2vwcgJSHKf2Ukgbm9tcWn3Hn9aDQw6QAyZ-75D1w-adyLKxFGg/s200/DSC01103.JPG" width="175" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdnMFwNINKBFfL_V11BqzJXS9jM6R53B6UiYiG6aY_PqTMIqKz2TBTnjTlpkzR8GQHmAnGOZ62yjP1MU_AEl3k8CFu7fXSwVcQD8-O_WKM8asbseJE_RD0jNC_1xxiVp1nb9rOQ/s1600/DSC00413.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdnMFwNINKBFfL_V11BqzJXS9jM6R53B6UiYiG6aY_PqTMIqKz2TBTnjTlpkzR8GQHmAnGOZ62yjP1MU_AEl3k8CFu7fXSwVcQD8-O_WKM8asbseJE_RD0jNC_1xxiVp1nb9rOQ/s400/DSC00413.JPG" width="350" /></a></div>
<h3 style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><a href="http://gruposagardi.com/en/restaurant/irati-taverna-basca/" target="_blank">Irati Menu</a></span></h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">Carrer del Cardenal Casanas, 17 </span></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">08002 Barcelona, Spain</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Vita d'Orohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12264556946744893084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28489671.post-21702237877928218222020-09-01T10:37:00.000-07:002020-09-01T10:37:21.539-07:00Schnitzel, Strudel, Und Dumplings, And The Wurst<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9whwqYYl0Bmlx62D4V_ZXsalwN_5nTxo9YU_N1Dwsny3xfeZTvRT53auinFpGX7-mQjy3VLl5nqytD7_Dl2I-FxbkEJDSIdJQZAmIAODgByJ2X3EM0xLT9xaq_UfFCgpOEYYQA/s1600/DSC09066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9whwqYYl0Bmlx62D4V_ZXsalwN_5nTxo9YU_N1Dwsny3xfeZTvRT53auinFpGX7-mQjy3VLl5nqytD7_Dl2I-FxbkEJDSIdJQZAmIAODgByJ2X3EM0xLT9xaq_UfFCgpOEYYQA/s640/DSC09066.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
This may be the very first vacation where I've gained weight while traveling, thanks to spending a month in Austria and its environs. It's not that I haven't walked a great deal, I have. It's the food. Yes, I have been known to brag about eating my way through Europe, and you might see more than 2 roasted potatoes on my plate at one time, but I shared them, and never before wore them on my way home.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSnh5I4lSNlLhBDd-PN4M8VO8MF96-BQ9KAZfBh6WrK0UMP7bah8F3qLEBamK6bp3h4lWi1BTWi-XIx3XPcoO5XgvuYgsQibp0pmMvITrZMDPIBnL5c0bupljLQ8EmQsfgqZiQQ/s1600/DSC09208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSnh5I4lSNlLhBDd-PN4M8VO8MF96-BQ9KAZfBh6WrK0UMP7bah8F3qLEBamK6bp3h4lWi1BTWi-XIx3XPcoO5XgvuYgsQibp0pmMvITrZMDPIBnL5c0bupljLQ8EmQsfgqZiQQ/s320/DSC09208.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7WV4W05wNXRyqR6G7K5hxBSNOrUZkXHEX6PKA8WmbhwCVdd0ZUE6z0EskBVE0zRxHzYVfFrOBXrWoaRl9Syfvg0OjQj9HG-b6sSYryRUR_Uu81rOuB7XqHSGP-AqzVqLVDVkfw/s1600/DSC02754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7WV4W05wNXRyqR6G7K5hxBSNOrUZkXHEX6PKA8WmbhwCVdd0ZUE6z0EskBVE0zRxHzYVfFrOBXrWoaRl9Syfvg0OjQj9HG-b6sSYryRUR_Uu81rOuB7XqHSGP-AqzVqLVDVkfw/s320/DSC02754.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Austria and for that matter, Eastern European countries, as well as the Baltics, are bastions of meat and potatoes, or in this case, dumpling sorts of countries. I'm thinking that harsh, cold winters and unfavorable soil conditions may be to blame, but for whatever reason, these countries never seemed to get beyond root vegetables and cabbage, when it came to vegetable varieties. Leafy greens seemed to be reserved for wilting in pre-made sandwiches, or as accents for nondescript salads.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
If you look through a menu as many times as we did on this trip, you will see at least 2 or 3 schnitzels, made of veal, pork or chicken. The Milanese certainly made a lasting impression on Austrians for these dishes.</div>
Vita d'Orohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12264556946744893084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28489671.post-57122074850794601882018-08-31T19:26:00.000-07:002022-08-31T20:36:21.310-07:00Pasticceria Linari, Another Gem in Testaccio<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjTCW0Ds2NEREKLiWu8c8uXxDFq9Qn2Vvisp6cBbX6cRsaVDNfdEwXJ6uz5R98IaKY2SbAace04U2rLSLhjpgtyKt3iZxOG5xydC4ICsnJJoDcVqd-O1b7pp_L0v6GodBfgRLEp1zbOLXsVN0MBeKuzsCVrdmkxvD2uHvwtp2dk3A_XhAqA4/s480/DSC00577.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="480" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjTCW0Ds2NEREKLiWu8c8uXxDFq9Qn2Vvisp6cBbX6cRsaVDNfdEwXJ6uz5R98IaKY2SbAace04U2rLSLhjpgtyKt3iZxOG5xydC4ICsnJJoDcVqd-O1b7pp_L0v6GodBfgRLEp1zbOLXsVN0MBeKuzsCVrdmkxvD2uHvwtp2dk3A_XhAqA4/s320/DSC00577.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Right across the street from Santa Maria Liberatrice in Testaccio, Pasticceria Linari welcomes the neighborhood in for a light snack and conversation. The day we discovered it was the feast day of the patron saint of the church and the place was buzzing with people who were pouring out of the church. Besides the religious holiday, this was a celebration day for the entire neighborhood of Testaccio. You could see the camaraderie of the patrons, they were people who knew one another.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbkAohUsSJGIwnDQZXLqLaG0mL-vzhsegt0vxusZ_mr1mCuUmrhbmBthKQ4ukllo2N0_nzIIxBDfzkugcpPSpxCklSYW5Xk8xEB99U-PSL9QyPXZ1dD2UidmJ-9heNRf9I-iR_rkHZbu-rEkm39MqxdIFYStv3zRrRiSe21Eu6d4LwLXl4PI/s480/DSC00544.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbkAohUsSJGIwnDQZXLqLaG0mL-vzhsegt0vxusZ_mr1mCuUmrhbmBthKQ4ukllo2N0_nzIIxBDfzkugcpPSpxCklSYW5Xk8xEB99U-PSL9QyPXZ1dD2UidmJ-9heNRf9I-iR_rkHZbu-rEkm39MqxdIFYStv3zRrRiSe21Eu6d4LwLXl4PI/w640-h480/DSC00544.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p> <p><ahere a="" by="" can="" clicking="" each="" enlarge="" expect="" find="" it="" of="" on="" photo="" s="" some="" to="" what="" you=""></ahere></p><a 3="" a="" adjectives="" all="" and="" at="" bar="" be="" but="" call="" cash="" cleared="" coins="" could="" deep="" definitely="" difficult="" down="" during="" encourage="" few="" fight="" fighting="" filled.="" grande="" had="" i="" in="" it="" italian="" items="" knowing="" last="" line="" lull="" make="" man="" manage="" meaning="" moment="" my="" names="" nature="" nbsp="" numbers="" of="" offer="" on="" once="" order="" p="" pah="" paste="" pastries="" people="" photo="" piccolo.="" placing="" purchase="" recall="" receipts="" register="" s="" service.="" similar="" since="" stay="" taken="" that="" the="" their="" there="" this="" through="" to="" top="" tourist="" up="" was="" way="" were="" where="" with="" without="" word="" working="" would="" you="" your=""> </a><p><br /></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p><p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-be-EN_IZhs8/VZyxuuyAs3I/AAAAAAAANek/yKAZJ_XB6wo/s1600-h/DSC005392.jpg"></a><a 3="" a="" adjectives="" all="" and="" at="" bar="" be="" but="" call="" cash="" cleared="" coins="" could="" deep="" definitely="" difficult="" down="" during="" encourage="" few="" fight="" fighting="" filled.="" grande="" had="" i="" in="" it="" italian="" items="" knowing="" last="" line="" lull="" make="" man="" manage="" meaning="" moment="" my="" names="" nature="" nbsp="" numbers="" of="" offer="" on="" once="" order="" p="" pah="" paste="" pastries="" people="" photo="" piccolo.="" placing="" purchase="" recall="" receipts="" register="" s="" service.="" similar="" since="" stay="" taken="" that="" the="" their="" there="" this="" through="" to="" top="" tourist="" up="" was="" way="" were="" where="" with="" without="" word="" working="" would="" you="" your=""></a><span style="text-align: justify;">If you’ve ever wanted to travel and live like the natives then a bakery like Linari is a good choice for your experiment. It’s located in a working class neighborhood that is not flooded with tourists and the items are made for the local taste and priced to be affordable. You pick up local customs if you pay attention, like offering a few coins with the receipt for faster service (although looking dazed and confused worked very well for me) and feel as though you could easily blend in if only you could keep your mouth shut! We were greeted by several locals who seemed slightly amused, but happy that we were able to see something of their daily routine. It was a win win situation and I look forward to going back there on our next visit to Rome</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDaZMUeyKxFQ1DU7WCQtba97SBVR_bnCHCHqvZiWBkYlnpsTfj5H6lKcp72ATY57xm3CGnP_UyCvVqLUrF2ZFTucsN_JSepZKgGpPty1YDDqq9NSjsEHFJlHvmIHmuBd0XloyU_7bi1mdgqO7BEtZY4Nn8UBH1iattdU6WAiIRqvGC_YguHcQ/s480/DSC00565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDaZMUeyKxFQ1DU7WCQtba97SBVR_bnCHCHqvZiWBkYlnpsTfj5H6lKcp72ATY57xm3CGnP_UyCvVqLUrF2ZFTucsN_JSepZKgGpPty1YDDqq9NSjsEHFJlHvmIHmuBd0XloyU_7bi1mdgqO7BEtZY4Nn8UBH1iattdU6WAiIRqvGC_YguHcQ/w326-h245/DSC00565.JPG" width="326" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7sx9hqF51ccLP6pQKjJ8n-1kdIyitfu5oeJVZWmBltAjwqBeFSIHgtFj3jNXLwqpxESJLh5d5ORD3jS7wEi11MwB0iQetZeY-0aAcQzClolTyfZfM_5AAxpD_mSAh0NPokkgFezwmjrGWl1ZCQ32m_o-qMPfz9qjjfd-bmit8osXyvGBorrQ/s800/IMG_1855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="800" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7sx9hqF51ccLP6pQKjJ8n-1kdIyitfu5oeJVZWmBltAjwqBeFSIHgtFj3jNXLwqpxESJLh5d5ORD3jS7wEi11MwB0iQetZeY-0aAcQzClolTyfZfM_5AAxpD_mSAh0NPokkgFezwmjrGWl1ZCQ32m_o-qMPfz9qjjfd-bmit8osXyvGBorrQ/w334-h268/IMG_1855.JPG" width="334" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGaE7HTt5FY8EML_r53c7rzPaHfyX_ZDP2pJJ4sQsuee7LYxd4Wxoxexyjn6qyvzqBFyU5CdV8zLY-o-H78qXZs8k65sEB8tENdxz8W1a89GlZdEvvNAgucj1Mm8a1rwsxWpjDUpzJTkelk2M8GZrqj3ZnpJy5HMhz7ow2NA5Mx-YNFuDThJU/s480/DSC00568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGaE7HTt5FY8EML_r53c7rzPaHfyX_ZDP2pJJ4sQsuee7LYxd4Wxoxexyjn6qyvzqBFyU5CdV8zLY-o-H78qXZs8k65sEB8tENdxz8W1a89GlZdEvvNAgucj1Mm8a1rwsxWpjDUpzJTkelk2M8GZrqj3ZnpJy5HMhz7ow2NA5Mx-YNFuDThJU/w322-h242/DSC00568.JPG" width="322" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TdkHWDyNRAOV5N0pSfWCYmMG3sjgKM3vXZJW5mAVc4iRzdAHIwWnSxQyRcZ3L4f88VpAfHbqSzdMe5YQS65XFPTkR_agl84uoBJyo097xV3Py61Tj-0y4rXOyu1RK53fEjyRdygEJxNkf1_JG8h9CYvqZuH0slfi9fEk0957Du_7eXsLPqI/s480/DSC00570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TdkHWDyNRAOV5N0pSfWCYmMG3sjgKM3vXZJW5mAVc4iRzdAHIwWnSxQyRcZ3L4f88VpAfHbqSzdMe5YQS65XFPTkR_agl84uoBJyo097xV3Py61Tj-0y4rXOyu1RK53fEjyRdygEJxNkf1_JG8h9CYvqZuH0slfi9fEk0957Du_7eXsLPqI/w331-h249/DSC00570.JPG" width="331" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtzVPXMujKoZo7giU6lSYnVbFWLoCLi89VDddxndgaXrz1q4nd60sLdSORNt3MttuZqcmqxrfKpu8jNq_Ez6Gg8VS998E8fK8qwMwJpU1N0NP4KvE7oBawQqiFm2pVLAwQ2U3qkRHUGPTfkEOHYi1qac6hyf05jnReH2WcXRoqGq3aG5o4dnY/s480/DSC00566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtzVPXMujKoZo7giU6lSYnVbFWLoCLi89VDddxndgaXrz1q4nd60sLdSORNt3MttuZqcmqxrfKpu8jNq_Ez6Gg8VS998E8fK8qwMwJpU1N0NP4KvE7oBawQqiFm2pVLAwQ2U3qkRHUGPTfkEOHYi1qac6hyf05jnReH2WcXRoqGq3aG5o4dnY/w327-h245/DSC00566.JPG" width="327" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1l_4Zmkk9-iOvQEjtZCZB1valsfOJUoLUHKLLfX60kusSUETcgmxMOA4uw8DRlmK4dDRGBtqHnsTEk2My0i8eXSrxFDu3fhd0f0-rxhKBEEczuGy7_lfLe_ZNb4sfFkJ1KGG0RvY_fTe_DCSbp1zOi9H0gGgI45C7jpvq_4y6JbbMy-nBAg/s480/DSC00562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1l_4Zmkk9-iOvQEjtZCZB1valsfOJUoLUHKLLfX60kusSUETcgmxMOA4uw8DRlmK4dDRGBtqHnsTEk2My0i8eXSrxFDu3fhd0f0-rxhKBEEczuGy7_lfLe_ZNb4sfFkJ1KGG0RvY_fTe_DCSbp1zOi9H0gGgI45C7jpvq_4y6JbbMy-nBAg/w341-h256/DSC00562.JPG" width="341" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyiVULl-8RSP5lHydnSPhEu7BL4G06RII81t3OEqggb5LYxcv_BGvgNCTK0xJOM6Y3R1iXcuAaFifPQL--snmJbfDBo7wSB4h6OmLiyl4Ev-u0G73Phe31TDGs9b717eP7BRdXpfZpRrkAcrNGYH3lZsatb5-c-v1tKvZzIi5nvJWYddy-jc4/s480/DSC00575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyiVULl-8RSP5lHydnSPhEu7BL4G06RII81t3OEqggb5LYxcv_BGvgNCTK0xJOM6Y3R1iXcuAaFifPQL--snmJbfDBo7wSB4h6OmLiyl4Ev-u0G73Phe31TDGs9b717eP7BRdXpfZpRrkAcrNGYH3lZsatb5-c-v1tKvZzIi5nvJWYddy-jc4/w330-h248/DSC00575.JPG" width="330" /></a></div><br /><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUzsAMor-_us0eHDbVb0ekYhpm65m0w-AYutjmjFSzoqyM13jKq6x-j623KNZZrtqP9Wuqait650sfYfLdjB_4HOCIzBLqrEwiG-GMwrdYoZka7QWDzTbEN7uaPNg3X8LUQdm56Rq5LMReR9bmhgOlucGAbFPC8FBJve-SZCmXiNcKL1FdF0/s800/IMG_1852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="800" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUzsAMor-_us0eHDbVb0ekYhpm65m0w-AYutjmjFSzoqyM13jKq6x-j623KNZZrtqP9Wuqait650sfYfLdjB_4HOCIzBLqrEwiG-GMwrdYoZka7QWDzTbEN7uaPNg3X8LUQdm56Rq5LMReR9bmhgOlucGAbFPC8FBJve-SZCmXiNcKL1FdF0/w345-h276/IMG_1852.JPG" width="345" /></a></div><br /><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;">Linari, like Pasticceria Bernini on Via Marmoratta in Testaccio, is also more than a bakery, it also serves gelato and sells other items including wine. Here are some photos of the gelato that are decorated with the main ingredient of each flavor. Cute idea, especially for children who cannot yet read.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSuYC21eodHSPZ_M9EPZsBLReWBvZ1y2l14tJTZXkibESLqOtpzTIrxEp7Y8h5KcNRgogEYuVaacErlZXFd5Dtp9GGXjMXsI1I1OC8rJ04dLjfgTf-KgZJ22__z775lZqPtIrr4rm_0HMU-PRWelZ0MY36m59LBBgEOA-1EyEe68sTStKdPo/s480/DSC00552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSuYC21eodHSPZ_M9EPZsBLReWBvZ1y2l14tJTZXkibESLqOtpzTIrxEp7Y8h5KcNRgogEYuVaacErlZXFd5Dtp9GGXjMXsI1I1OC8rJ04dLjfgTf-KgZJ22__z775lZqPtIrr4rm_0HMU-PRWelZ0MY36m59LBBgEOA-1EyEe68sTStKdPo/w365-h274/DSC00552.JPG" width="365" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_-1V4XAh3_rlhTrytczAsufDhevwY4PnXjXmkEaa1l1IRM4eKHQRMqsnfdO8B-Hi3UuU21pFTjY5P-31xELSpSl2atv1m3fvbwWwBgpdBYsKUmw1GF1ZlLY83HTC9aoOAkcysZCIcPIPjFqDETvmuJ_sjPISnjyoMbBiCPH7A8jSpto4VpQ/s480/DSC00553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_-1V4XAh3_rlhTrytczAsufDhevwY4PnXjXmkEaa1l1IRM4eKHQRMqsnfdO8B-Hi3UuU21pFTjY5P-31xELSpSl2atv1m3fvbwWwBgpdBYsKUmw1GF1ZlLY83HTC9aoOAkcysZCIcPIPjFqDETvmuJ_sjPISnjyoMbBiCPH7A8jSpto4VpQ/w347-h260/DSC00553.JPG" width="347" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ27_FyWPvWM7eS2Aj9C8v-Srz-5cMXNzGoeXW7hF0WdlAAURrdnmBVU30EkGhcjDq8pdtS8pu19VutDo7ATlYDPHOkBNt2kYWOqwaDNz6ajIgX9MI3iAQDHJSRKq7yiG1xyq8ubc174XMZsOdjugKcocWxEyr41srqPeFbrkMIRf4R-HkG3o/s480/DSC00560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="480" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ27_FyWPvWM7eS2Aj9C8v-Srz-5cMXNzGoeXW7hF0WdlAAURrdnmBVU30EkGhcjDq8pdtS8pu19VutDo7ATlYDPHOkBNt2kYWOqwaDNz6ajIgX9MI3iAQDHJSRKq7yiG1xyq8ubc174XMZsOdjugKcocWxEyr41srqPeFbrkMIRf4R-HkG3o/w339-h271/DSC00560.JPG" width="339" /></a></div><br /><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5_F5r7MTbtGwKrYnF6XyU7eZ3AL8mYtJ-3mljUdgp4h2_dL51qbzsuNIcwBsI7al89DWjuKhhTQn0yUkvnFzIiC7mVgOy3Q3pjsgXTKlNtAgktKkMmORVs2qWAfL2ZhjIZzHyxw5bjKY-WId7P4exYD4RypzsZT4VgIn3inViJCGX-WyosF8/s480/DSC00556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="360" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5_F5r7MTbtGwKrYnF6XyU7eZ3AL8mYtJ-3mljUdgp4h2_dL51qbzsuNIcwBsI7al89DWjuKhhTQn0yUkvnFzIiC7mVgOy3Q3pjsgXTKlNtAgktKkMmORVs2qWAfL2ZhjIZzHyxw5bjKY-WId7P4exYD4RypzsZT4VgIn3inViJCGX-WyosF8/w364-h486/DSC00556.JPG" width="364" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;">And now for a little something different:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0wfNtIJY8At5vfHi-oD75JARPoCuKzXqe1c8xycDslMtWXM-l7Z3krVM4aXUDm4QK1V_JSvni31jYpp9da3_TTx7CgGob6Z_8NXeBBPrNk4J1XOkJ_NvOQP0XGPKEGKbokiO8qMZ9jGCldfo-SwebLXhRMopuUovHBdFzoOM3U6Zy1eBhhA/s480/DSC00546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0wfNtIJY8At5vfHi-oD75JARPoCuKzXqe1c8xycDslMtWXM-l7Z3krVM4aXUDm4QK1V_JSvni31jYpp9da3_TTx7CgGob6Z_8NXeBBPrNk4J1XOkJ_NvOQP0XGPKEGKbokiO8qMZ9jGCldfo-SwebLXhRMopuUovHBdFzoOM3U6Zy1eBhhA/w402-h302/DSC00546.JPG" width="402" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDsXK7BjNL25Xg-AqkIypSmpsGrhFzdGoCPAnju7SrGnhr-2YT06P6T-gPHFhYHv86RAHjVhjCKsvayGR6NZ5A5daVqBCScdQerigu_hj9wI7q7TGe-PkEUov7m9nTIuIZ7YdwdWTQZ5jVznVJL5Ejnyoes23JuNj9aQfrTCWz9Ek-2y0nv30/s480/DSC00576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="480" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDsXK7BjNL25Xg-AqkIypSmpsGrhFzdGoCPAnju7SrGnhr-2YT06P6T-gPHFhYHv86RAHjVhjCKsvayGR6NZ5A5daVqBCScdQerigu_hj9wI7q7TGe-PkEUov7m9nTIuIZ7YdwdWTQZ5jVznVJL5Ejnyoes23JuNj9aQfrTCWz9Ek-2y0nv30/w320-h256/DSC00576.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pasticcerialinari-com.translate.goog/?_x_tr_sl=it&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc">Linari's Website</a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p> <p></p>Vita d'Orohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12264556946744893084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28489671.post-82073298676925819012017-06-26T23:15:00.005-07:002021-04-17T09:46:54.541-07:00It's All Greek to Me<div class="separator"><div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTlJ124-lXUVWv7XefYYGVC1H3-WWH0PGLHiwP51cKPF7ceIqlU3j6FVCpApSmCgKASBxB_6r4PKZly8dncY53K4holMXB0r3fU91bn-zobgnwB25-8vfBc3XB8ee822hgZlqEQg/s800/IMG_5220.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></h4><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Unless you have a Greek translator along for your journey, it might be impossible to write the name of your restaurant in English. I've gotten around that by displaying photos of the restaurants' signs along with the food photos.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIio1uRy_hrYw12og7NH3v0mId6_8f6_fWtNQxvQlvdcbtyutZ0PsaEbcfvec_ifMXqEhOhESIUZOpwvP0chvH-wmxAdVGdhGRl-uNVaN3CDnDjYYoEaMCcajU1VcoT0_OnFncmw/s1600/DSC00212.JPG" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIio1uRy_hrYw12og7NH3v0mId6_8f6_fWtNQxvQlvdcbtyutZ0PsaEbcfvec_ifMXqEhOhESIUZOpwvP0chvH-wmxAdVGdhGRl-uNVaN3CDnDjYYoEaMCcajU1VcoT0_OnFncmw/s320/DSC00212.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />Our first restaurant in Athens was near our hotel 18 Micron Str., located slightly northwest of Monastiraki Square, but more about that later. This trip we are eating modestly and trying to taste a wide variety of classic Greek dishes. On our first night we ambled around the corner and were accosted by a waiter eager to gain our patronage, as is the custom. We declined the invitation but took a menu and checked out other establishments for 30 minutes before returning.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgByPfJBcXmz5_RKr14U95WihlEFuLtjXeAdkTu-EbdfcMZKS2aaH7ogf0OMAlxoh0QxLmbeBzA2IS7Wy5oMiSnnnuvKNFbvdQgX5FkeDOy2bAyDNOhHCHtAqmkzlMGxN170-uFRg/s1600/DSC00200.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgByPfJBcXmz5_RKr14U95WihlEFuLtjXeAdkTu-EbdfcMZKS2aaH7ogf0OMAlxoh0QxLmbeBzA2IS7Wy5oMiSnnnuvKNFbvdQgX5FkeDOy2bAyDNOhHCHtAqmkzlMGxN170-uFRg/s320/DSC00200.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxFRsi5gxhbcYH4noJYWmRKBqr82SsT_n2lyOprdCru4nBvdtn_d3qi3GKSMF1mzE4d-geCRbn9NjRgRzx-OmhL2wy2BasFViStt55AmEyfe_M5sQEMJU2lI11ty02M4NaaoG4w/s1600/DSC00201.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxFRsi5gxhbcYH4noJYWmRKBqr82SsT_n2lyOprdCru4nBvdtn_d3qi3GKSMF1mzE4d-geCRbn9NjRgRzx-OmhL2wy2BasFViStt55AmEyfe_M5sQEMJU2lI11ty02M4NaaoG4w/s320/DSC00201.JPG" width="240" /></span></a><span style="font-family: verdana;">Since more vegetables are on my radar for desirable foods, the selection of Santorini fava seemed a fine choice. They were not green, <br />
as I had expected, but very pale. The color did not affect the familiar pungent taste. The pureed fava was topped with marinated red onion, oregano and parsley. It was good although the portion may have better suited a table of 4, so it was generous. I made an effort to eat it as it was intended, with a squirt of lemon, but preferred the beans without lemon. Less olive oil would have made the lemon unnecessary.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
<br />
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA60wOqqoqo_7uGypM-sYNt2-lUcIKI5qT3_6e7gxVulusBpQOfCpK8qna2WrUDa9uVeMKC9EYwoRX1TDsJe42uBm22KykrpynoWsWpryMoKaqVzTERSYbY2qxKwzWKvCS3mkgJQ/s1600/DSC00199.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA60wOqqoqo_7uGypM-sYNt2-lUcIKI5qT3_6e7gxVulusBpQOfCpK8qna2WrUDa9uVeMKC9EYwoRX1TDsJe42uBm22KykrpynoWsWpryMoKaqVzTERSYbY2qxKwzWKvCS3mkgJQ/s320/DSC00199.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0nLQiRqnTf9d77g-AOuP6n7VNXgrLNy8SyfPOSl7gYkKHQVF24JMIVlOSQ57QOeIntfMmMFHX-FbmzS39iOeq07oDc4bmM5PMC9OGDQHuMEVBGgi9vtqra3tlTDOCGU58FLDRg/s1600/DSC00204.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0nLQiRqnTf9d77g-AOuP6n7VNXgrLNy8SyfPOSl7gYkKHQVF24JMIVlOSQ57QOeIntfMmMFHX-FbmzS39iOeq07oDc4bmM5PMC9OGDQHuMEVBGgi9vtqra3tlTDOCGU58FLDRg/s320/DSC00204.JPG" width="240" /></span></a><span style="font-family: verdana;">The second starter we tried was a Russian Salad. It was great for a potato fix. For a man who cannot pass up an order of meatballs, Greece is the place to go. The excellent fried meatball appetizer satisfied my husband's desire for meat.<br />
<br />
</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOl9Qhb4aiok72pWJjNvwHS9h7ggCJR-hHlmB8sM38SJA0GM7XURMdMIdjc2xLorUJ2UvZc2ZW6Pzvae1Cv9AfUtgi_OW6KtSDwSUFdaRgby1Dx2FgDVAflXhGXyxiz0gOLQxHCg/s1600/DSC00207.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOl9Qhb4aiok72pWJjNvwHS9h7ggCJR-hHlmB8sM38SJA0GM7XURMdMIdjc2xLorUJ2UvZc2ZW6Pzvae1Cv9AfUtgi_OW6KtSDwSUFdaRgby1Dx2FgDVAflXhGXyxiz0gOLQxHCg/s1600/DSC00207.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="535" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOl9Qhb4aiok72pWJjNvwHS9h7ggCJR-hHlmB8sM38SJA0GM7XURMdMIdjc2xLorUJ2UvZc2ZW6Pzvae1Cv9AfUtgi_OW6KtSDwSUFdaRgby1Dx2FgDVAflXhGXyxiz0gOLQxHCg/s320/DSC00207.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
My entree was the rustic sausage that came with French fries. Again there was oregano or perhaps marjoram used to flavor the meat, along with paprika. They were flavorful and distinctly unlike any other sausages I have tried during my travels to other European countries. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicwJLLE0JenBnvHaR2TUuuOzGI6Q6RvATjgULTPJClcVmYEXWuBq979c0GfxWQNiUG2lhYwpwnkcK2Tew7W1P1E_j1n7lCRLiZfXelmYiXjYU98hqklw04bkzM7Pl51Q0Jvz2EbA/s1600/DSC00195.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicwJLLE0JenBnvHaR2TUuuOzGI6Q6RvATjgULTPJClcVmYEXWuBq979c0GfxWQNiUG2lhYwpwnkcK2Tew7W1P1E_j1n7lCRLiZfXelmYiXjYU98hqklw04bkzM7Pl51Q0Jvz2EbA/s200/DSC00195.JPG" width="150" /></span></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxSnMnE1DT2xsRg2QJdwaRrIokWi3cigcolj8g4Kw8GNByPleBc831bxxLA66P2tyApYVjJqYbY_XXgYlFLThUEwGku1P5hgiDB4CpKHXFigrJ_jDXa8VBnb2LxyJM7wyPZef0Q/s1600/DSC00211.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxSnMnE1DT2xsRg2QJdwaRrIokWi3cigcolj8g4Kw8GNByPleBc831bxxLA66P2tyApYVjJqYbY_XXgYlFLThUEwGku1P5hgiDB4CpKHXFigrJ_jDXa8VBnb2LxyJM7wyPZef0Q/s200/DSC00211.JPG" width="280" /></span></a><span style="font-family: verdana;">We tried a Greek beer named Mythos that had a stronger hop taste than we prefer. After dinner the waiter brought a dessert that I cannot identify with any certainty. My best guess was that it was made with course grained semolina, sugar, and cinnamon. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX55FNYEWmQJQvYRNx6_Q5IJHyieKTzxV0lFaAtmdAlTf6jY0w52xJDnh6nni3-8MSd4ZLCrfmg7kTDfWMUOFCe73fJ-4ySKAN8ooHQ0bGUztRhb0so2YNdhukj2xjPuceyfPklw/s1600/FIL1094.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX55FNYEWmQJQvYRNx6_Q5IJHyieKTzxV0lFaAtmdAlTf6jY0w52xJDnh6nni3-8MSd4ZLCrfmg7kTDfWMUOFCe73fJ-4ySKAN8ooHQ0bGUztRhb0so2YNdhukj2xjPuceyfPklw/s200/FIL1094.JPG" width="270" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Lu3DasfwQeJ4qsGHPcv37c5PavPIhhKrDAkPtPRgg3oaowczX2zqzlqfhfzJGF9i5LnsN1vSiL1B5SmdYdqOI-16Ab7isVOzuqYCBtQL85ekMVKwZ0IZashSAm1Y2kWy3kskKg/s1600/DSC00430.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Lu3DasfwQeJ4qsGHPcv37c5PavPIhhKrDAkPtPRgg3oaowczX2zqzlqfhfzJGF9i5LnsN1vSiL1B5SmdYdqOI-16Ab7isVOzuqYCBtQL85ekMVKwZ0IZashSAm1Y2kWy3kskKg/s200/DSC00430.JPG" width="270" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbuivQRORRZt0UIS-RyO2zt3lfyAUE717v6HqRgEMo03WuJosU_G-7qHHuUOrShkSl8HyjvbRcDwIOavoXDdkXnqhCak7rHUnZBFBd6hJ8ElEZ0SLT8nFS8L7M8FIvf4ruZ1aYQ/s1600/FIL1093.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbuivQRORRZt0UIS-RyO2zt3lfyAUE717v6HqRgEMo03WuJosU_G-7qHHuUOrShkSl8HyjvbRcDwIOavoXDdkXnqhCak7rHUnZBFBd6hJ8ElEZ0SLT8nFS8L7M8FIvf4ruZ1aYQ/s640/FIL1093.JPG" width="585" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
The following evening we stayed even closer to the hotel by eating across the street at Oineas, a bright, airy place with sage green furniture, advertising art trays, posters and product containers displayed everywhere.<br />
<br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM64pg3-q9-fTcld-quSOuMfVIZpJWfJ1iL_Y-zYzsJy74VqqX-AoX3PJYWGfpxUqyi-kj5urPihsRrFUqukgRUXT0pGW6tSSv0tjDEOsgykp_WDy1dBSQhF-pdJNOlBTnMg7Lrg/s1600/DSC00447.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM64pg3-q9-fTcld-quSOuMfVIZpJWfJ1iL_Y-zYzsJy74VqqX-AoX3PJYWGfpxUqyi-kj5urPihsRrFUqukgRUXT0pGW6tSSv0tjDEOsgykp_WDy1dBSQhF-pdJNOlBTnMg7Lrg/s320/DSC00447.JPG" width="225" /></span></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHkKKDvq7o5gOxy9ScfWwpzBR6SAx8g2RJBXFiGlGAbzpBek3VfBg9sfX9uLgYzhlZAaQsJZAUXCMcR9T9hSFNpsfKaWru7EEeHopIyvK6lhMa7KhqTaVcw4rmIcNlZvC6kHWFg/s1600/FIL1104.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHkKKDvq7o5gOxy9ScfWwpzBR6SAx8g2RJBXFiGlGAbzpBek3VfBg9sfX9uLgYzhlZAaQsJZAUXCMcR9T9hSFNpsfKaWru7EEeHopIyvK6lhMa7KhqTaVcw4rmIcNlZvC6kHWFg/s200/FIL1104.JPG" width="150" /></span></a><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
<br />
The 75 year old owner had been collecting product containers, posters, metal advertising signs and ad art, since he was a teenager.<br />
<br />
Even the bathroom area was very cluttered with advertising posters for cosmetic products, as well as tins and bottles.<br />
<br />
<br />
The food was classic yet distinctive, like the decor. Classic Greek recipes were tweaked into versions appealing to modern palates.<br />
<br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH0XnMmSitAil3vfiaBwBF2DcygqXs2JKG8O1lzS2dIDitr1sBuDU2MRmSzsICTQFpy3m-n_-sSVy6Y1gaH9nPYh6msd_F6Clys9Nv3ZbGL_TJG4yx5Hml9_yjrhNdHEly_CHyxg/s1600/FIL1088.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH0XnMmSitAil3vfiaBwBF2DcygqXs2JKG8O1lzS2dIDitr1sBuDU2MRmSzsICTQFpy3m-n_-sSVy6Y1gaH9nPYh6msd_F6Clys9Nv3ZbGL_TJG4yx5Hml9_yjrhNdHEly_CHyxg/s200/FIL1088.JPG" width="225" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDLlfrUcboVNm9jjlgVDuLLckF-nQVaU92kPCt0Jww5TmirN4yG1985VPTtQPRxdyro8qkmlEZt6hsW8NKbSVHqZJYAZz2POgN6r6VOre-NhCJTovvMtsolcMb8E93OkKcUlReKw/s1600/DSC00435.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDLlfrUcboVNm9jjlgVDuLLckF-nQVaU92kPCt0Jww5TmirN4yG1985VPTtQPRxdyro8qkmlEZt6hsW8NKbSVHqZJYAZz2POgN6r6VOre-NhCJTovvMtsolcMb8E93OkKcUlReKw/s200/DSC00435.JPG" width="225" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
<br />
The bread was good on its own, but even better with the black olive tapenade that was served alongside it.<br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTz4_X1uSGRHeEjP97Td2Yl9IbLMGnCUoR3FJTcILNsK_HpqeX8NDac7CsYdpAm6YD97pwGPRkspq974f_mMJujEPMFS1FUfAkiRZR03pS-2qN6wWQnLoRHsMhuWNaCFBIyO_Lxw/s1600/DSC00432.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTz4_X1uSGRHeEjP97Td2Yl9IbLMGnCUoR3FJTcILNsK_HpqeX8NDac7CsYdpAm6YD97pwGPRkspq974f_mMJujEPMFS1FUfAkiRZR03pS-2qN6wWQnLoRHsMhuWNaCFBIyO_Lxw/s200/DSC00432.JPG" width="225" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
Fix, another Greek beer was on offer, so we tried it and had several more during the trip. Our first course consisted of mussels in a lemon grass infused broth. Great idea.<br />
<br />
</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hZXHkPZnMBkcthjl-5vP-hhsjfREXD46U-he4PY_AyslzIxopalLjjcCXX9uLtPosGSv6z62hZ31TA40fm7oq7crd0Fod4GhH3wmDbU0Ze60pWYL8BvSG9C2AuQirmejQprK8w/s1600/DSC00434.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hZXHkPZnMBkcthjl-5vP-hhsjfREXD46U-he4PY_AyslzIxopalLjjcCXX9uLtPosGSv6z62hZ31TA40fm7oq7crd0Fod4GhH3wmDbU0Ze60pWYL8BvSG9C2AuQirmejQprK8w/s320/DSC00434.JPG" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACkcCm2P-gaj8lGiUs6SbWobiXyoVM_zRVSxy-H8ewWyJP4flLkgh9rv2PpEazM0Kb7eI1AXfo4JWDw2M6dt9gv42u_H_s2Yqgq7z1a_sIsZOyNeARCNDcCrQg_kzdi3zMpPH0w/s1600/DSC00437.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACkcCm2P-gaj8lGiUs6SbWobiXyoVM_zRVSxy-H8ewWyJP4flLkgh9rv2PpEazM0Kb7eI1AXfo4JWDw2M6dt9gv42u_H_s2Yqgq7z1a_sIsZOyNeARCNDcCrQg_kzdi3zMpPH0w/s640/DSC00437.JPG" width="600" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">
</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjjPIzdMUId6VxbVyGMcoidumRT6Wte4fsrroP19zeRtVx09MLv6KxHrtO9ZCfrkwdggkEnwA91UyG9Fxm_5B4L5gad0j9sO83MIolJ2LO9oZLYqCA_9SuLjasNp6uuvTlyI2Hw/s1600/DSC00443.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjjPIzdMUId6VxbVyGMcoidumRT6Wte4fsrroP19zeRtVx09MLv6KxHrtO9ZCfrkwdggkEnwA91UyG9Fxm_5B4L5gad0j9sO83MIolJ2LO9oZLYqCA_9SuLjasNp6uuvTlyI2Hw/s640/DSC00443.JPG" width="600" /></span></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
My man about town ordered the pork fillet covered in a mixed mushroom port sauce, then topped with thinly sliced and fried onion rings. Our conversation ground to a halt the minute he took a bite, so we can safely surmise that it was delectable.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpF1-VOYnq2hP_noyPeAqfcG1P9bKQQwFx3ZVlXOeBQ7A3reu1Uk8JM6Qu3y33HpHUVzC3dM_ikiEvPrQyeiLZMq2AWqyM0ovSvZAImkkejF9sA-y5cBQzFq21X9e_NChhOUB5g/s1600/DSC00442.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpF1-VOYnq2hP_noyPeAqfcG1P9bKQQwFx3ZVlXOeBQ7A3reu1Uk8JM6Qu3y33HpHUVzC3dM_ikiEvPrQyeiLZMq2AWqyM0ovSvZAImkkejF9sA-y5cBQzFq21X9e_NChhOUB5g/s640/DSC00442.JPG" width="600" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
</span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">
The roast lamb was excellent with the decidedly "gamy taste" that I prefer, yet find very seldom. Unfortunately, it was bathed in olive oil and even though delicious, I've decided to pass on lamb again unless it's grilled, The potatoes, however, can swim in olive oil with no complaint from me, unless someone refuses to pass the salt.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
<br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwioxJKfoO7Yrqa3sC0kZ3cBrP5KtD5F6C8cssixHbGdfvEIJRhvcCFsWnaEwmfxHDxGXY7DoEqvvxXC58w5g8GQQZCewQVUQCDVjc82WNQArTRBObsI89D2QHMBanHTgfmtZTHw/s1600/FIL1090.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwioxJKfoO7Yrqa3sC0kZ3cBrP5KtD5F6C8cssixHbGdfvEIJRhvcCFsWnaEwmfxHDxGXY7DoEqvvxXC58w5g8GQQZCewQVUQCDVjc82WNQArTRBObsI89D2QHMBanHTgfmtZTHw/s200/FIL1090.JPG" width="275" /></span></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRVphV_EByvGsL8g0GgOcd8lEEf0PDJWuwhbY2RcXvLGXmBFhcwjpLkroaxNDlupEdw1hOtygnq1Na48kAXM2KIQaq6fU1WWYO9tBd8vDSVhIIyGUkkBdYu6EhnvNf0aycbM0dQ/s1600/FIL1089.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRVphV_EByvGsL8g0GgOcd8lEEf0PDJWuwhbY2RcXvLGXmBFhcwjpLkroaxNDlupEdw1hOtygnq1Na48kAXM2KIQaq6fU1WWYO9tBd8vDSVhIIyGUkkBdYu6EhnvNf0aycbM0dQ/s200/FIL1089.JPG" width="275" /></span></a><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
On our return to Athens, after 4 nights on the Peloponnesian Peninsula, we came back to Oineas. We started the feast with scampi and what I believed to be an eggplant sauce. It was so good we slathered the leftover portion onto bread.<br />
<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZaptiBPG8mORdiBlmcE-ar-Utu_n-W5vxbdIXd38ri-Ey0gzzI_X7Wo7RQPyxYbjwXDxEWUoPS-RZV-MOkmC8h4hNq7VzjitSgWKBgSRNmA5TiiU0VLCEssGUzo2wzeqovgIJlw/s1600/FIL1098.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZaptiBPG8mORdiBlmcE-ar-Utu_n-W5vxbdIXd38ri-Ey0gzzI_X7Wo7RQPyxYbjwXDxEWUoPS-RZV-MOkmC8h4hNq7VzjitSgWKBgSRNmA5TiiU0VLCEssGUzo2wzeqovgIJlw/s320/FIL1098.JPG" width="275" /></span></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZ_A5j98xXBhR75NgprPBoG3gXFxHcmnjwIoZez4h2ZI7dC2dQQuVtEmRT8rf0ncycQBk2P59UgiaJVXkyDIk1VoUMWjmYo7_gOfCVGfNDLAdus6OxY-FjQlwHg63ja6aqStMyA/s1600/FIL1096.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZ_A5j98xXBhR75NgprPBoG3gXFxHcmnjwIoZez4h2ZI7dC2dQQuVtEmRT8rf0ncycQBk2P59UgiaJVXkyDIk1VoUMWjmYo7_gOfCVGfNDLAdus6OxY-FjQlwHg63ja6aqStMyA/s200/FIL1096.JPG" width="275" /></span></a><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">
I tried the lamb ribs because they were grilled and not oily. It was the perfect choice for me, and the French fries were flawless, although too few in number. The thyme sprinkled over the meat and the spicy yogurt sauce only added to this flavorful lamb selection.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwIiYFJM3-t_qdW0g542l9ukrWB5ggZldwArkn-w4BIB5YIGw3FrD8za1K9291wkNmWN9nYo2dA2PgARbk8-v-NI0motf9O7jtWmttqeZ66Zt30qi38AyGMgJoV9QvP12dxN0HQ/s1600/FIL1100.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwIiYFJM3-t_qdW0g542l9ukrWB5ggZldwArkn-w4BIB5YIGw3FrD8za1K9291wkNmWN9nYo2dA2PgARbk8-v-NI0motf9O7jtWmttqeZ66Zt30qi38AyGMgJoV9QvP12dxN0HQ/s200/FIL1100.JPG" width="275" /></span></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_LBve57-DuiO8haej_V7qdcDl3buGxcbanTF6IluabhSBn4m_UKH06PeuhVxMYz4syh9JuWGmMU9Hp5gEBDg_M6AahXVSdT54z-1jAeBGOIxSiscRjv6m93ZV5_qNjOIovXs33g/s1600/FIL1095.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_LBve57-DuiO8haej_V7qdcDl3buGxcbanTF6IluabhSBn4m_UKH06PeuhVxMYz4syh9JuWGmMU9Hp5gEBDg_M6AahXVSdT54z-1jAeBGOIxSiscRjv6m93ZV5_qNjOIovXs33g/s200/FIL1095.JPG" width="275" /></span></a><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
<br />
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
My husband ordered the veal chop and was similarly satisfied with his choice. He received a perfectly cooked medium rare chop. We were recognized by several waiters and the owner as being returning customers. They rewarded us with a complimentary dessert of house made cheesecake with mango and chocolate sauce.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WnEQzoDF1HRg4eP_ZiuBz_48oOb8sVbJj3WcYaUGitib5hQWHoH6lBe9WMY37eT8oTgCfQLy7B1r86zB3Y_2N9MJevBwtapGQPxo8d0Ko0niIpIqtMZ0T7QhK3Gv2hgAj5qgaQ/s1600/DSC01228.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0WnEQzoDF1HRg4eP_ZiuBz_48oOb8sVbJj3WcYaUGitib5hQWHoH6lBe9WMY37eT8oTgCfQLy7B1r86zB3Y_2N9MJevBwtapGQPxo8d0Ko0niIpIqtMZ0T7QhK3Gv2hgAj5qgaQ/s200/DSC01228.JPG" width="150" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvr46YYpzB_YVZ1dpm2ciwFbHGRyRewBUYIm4qBJYv_mmzTLNGg50jeA00q0nofOxVn3BaxuV8PkHaKvs6HINEWbXruq47e8P8vIZ1e5JTMZDx4V6aY97_FNIlczDnQIfTSX4npA/s1600/DSC01223.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvr46YYpzB_YVZ1dpm2ciwFbHGRyRewBUYIm4qBJYv_mmzTLNGg50jeA00q0nofOxVn3BaxuV8PkHaKvs6HINEWbXruq47e8P8vIZ1e5JTMZDx4V6aY97_FNIlczDnQIfTSX4npA/s200/DSC01223.JPG" width="150" /></span></a><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
<br />
Right alongside the ancient Agora near its museum, there are many restaurants that, as you might expect, are geared to providing tourists with quick meals. We stopped by Antica because we were more interested in a rest than food, and requested one Greek salad and 2 forks.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
<br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVsqwPrgwd1sKk04Wm5PmYXLYXdMIoHJF3gj7m1N4iPWcxu0vJ9CIoDZepcUnW8kSKxbbQpEr37KIzLIeHEFfBODgAILJGqNB0cD0jUAX3M3w_N6TU1OG9WD1QDtjDl-lN80qpSQ/s1600/DSC01225.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVsqwPrgwd1sKk04Wm5PmYXLYXdMIoHJF3gj7m1N4iPWcxu0vJ9CIoDZepcUnW8kSKxbbQpEr37KIzLIeHEFfBODgAILJGqNB0cD0jUAX3M3w_N6TU1OG9WD1QDtjDl-lN80qpSQ/s640/DSC01225.JPG" width="600" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
With a lifelong avoidance of feta cheese, it took some culinary courage to taste this dominant ingredient, but I managed and was rewarded with a sweeter, creamier, less crumbly version of what had passed for feta the first time I tried it. I'm no longer worried that I may have to eat it again, and may actually order it intentionally.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEV-nrD_NqEGJdBJ6dF0-jDW955-Y5hNaSajT3etJxeVuq62yyTte57iTVZTnCr-nwH49MTDwB5OgN_EqZMEgzRjnNrxyrUAztIuY7SBR6QrzHVh0cCLp7jyPffpzp4g9_jjoew/s1600/DSC01050.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEV-nrD_NqEGJdBJ6dF0-jDW955-Y5hNaSajT3etJxeVuq62yyTte57iTVZTnCr-nwH49MTDwB5OgN_EqZMEgzRjnNrxyrUAztIuY7SBR6QrzHVh0cCLp7jyPffpzp4g9_jjoew/s320/DSC01050.JPG" width="275" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JjtibxmIeE3OQ5CAu6yR3Zh2xU29PePWzLNtTuuyDQxAgo06U8cQgJ4q9E6JEc7IPYxhpRale4sTZ1uF_6MmgO8QUC2TG2sxtf5plpDKsMUuiIoPfl-L4L7XV1JHmsrvPuqsoA/s1600/DSC00337.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JjtibxmIeE3OQ5CAu6yR3Zh2xU29PePWzLNtTuuyDQxAgo06U8cQgJ4q9E6JEc7IPYxhpRale4sTZ1uF_6MmgO8QUC2TG2sxtf5plpDKsMUuiIoPfl-L4L7XV1JHmsrvPuqsoA/s320/DSC00337.JPG" width="275" /></span></a><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div><span style="font-family: verdana;">
It's embarrassing to admit to going to the next restaurant, Bairaktaris, 4 times on this trip. At first it was only for a drink, then it was to try the pork gyro which was ordered by another customer and looked so good I wanted to sneak a photo of it.<br />
<br /></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjos18LMS_Dx7uCjwZ-NjqjGHtsWkzZ_D2qdvEd5fpBLWrjW27j9Nwi53rARGf1fIHlMix6C21BsD_wWPmSZpd3r5wyqWqdQ-4zIbzYuYzWF8FbSPkB_3FjVRl4su3OIAw_RyzN-Q/s1600/DSC01040.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjos18LMS_Dx7uCjwZ-NjqjGHtsWkzZ_D2qdvEd5fpBLWrjW27j9Nwi53rARGf1fIHlMix6C21BsD_wWPmSZpd3r5wyqWqdQ-4zIbzYuYzWF8FbSPkB_3FjVRl4su3OIAw_RyzN-Q/s320/DSC01040.JPG" width="275" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-4pAkPlcN0xMfFuYJgbuRXk2WuBrahebGQ3NvTmZ3gT2gfB3niyL4t22zhKq0CkQFrULej-66kNfcJaFClmRZWB4HIsAacabdpzS9ZcVdRtXlxzVsGOB5v1ez57LBJ1Ogzis4g/s1600/DSC01043.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-4pAkPlcN0xMfFuYJgbuRXk2WuBrahebGQ3NvTmZ3gT2gfB3niyL4t22zhKq0CkQFrULej-66kNfcJaFClmRZWB4HIsAacabdpzS9ZcVdRtXlxzVsGOB5v1ez57LBJ1Ogzis4g/s320/DSC01043.JPG" width="275" /></span></a><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
<br />
</span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">
We ordered a bean soup and an order of moussaka before sharing the gyro. It was a very good and filling meal. My husband had wanted to order a 4th plate but our waiter dissuaded him because he knew that the portions were so big. We over tipped him in gratitude.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8DvkUEd0f6gegit4tYZ4F6MW2gp7vxENO3iEC0NcPgVYy5vH1hpqcQ9pDiHZq3z8pOJpvoPgDH4MT9xdg-kzlPGXPBlYh8nqgW7AVrL3ZMZKZKot-S5WCa4V7gjmDntoHA0tWg/s1600/DSC01032.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8DvkUEd0f6gegit4tYZ4F6MW2gp7vxENO3iEC0NcPgVYy5vH1hpqcQ9pDiHZq3z8pOJpvoPgDH4MT9xdg-kzlPGXPBlYh8nqgW7AVrL3ZMZKZKot-S5WCa4V7gjmDntoHA0tWg/s320/DSC01032.JPG" width="275" /></span></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs8XuhXUyuEUmrkTzB5Wiof31tFEHdXA502ZB0U0UavZVeEPy_p1PLYSxaBcJ_sFUxMoeDirhzwYKkOaWFeEkzPlRicYRsalo24QE1JQ5rAeD9wR5TT-q5cb9GgbN7diglb6NEcA/s1600/DSC01036.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs8XuhXUyuEUmrkTzB5Wiof31tFEHdXA502ZB0U0UavZVeEPy_p1PLYSxaBcJ_sFUxMoeDirhzwYKkOaWFeEkzPlRicYRsalo24QE1JQ5rAeD9wR5TT-q5cb9GgbN7diglb6NEcA/s320/DSC01036.JPG" width="275" /></span></a><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
<br />
<br />
</span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">
The restaurant seems to be comprised of several buildings taking up the entire northeast corner of Monastiraki Square, so our next sojourn was for filtered coffee (American style, brewed) and tea. We walked around to the side and sat there for a change of pace. The name and menu were identical. This was also on the side street that takes you into the Plaka without having to climb steep streets or stairs. For a quick diversion, one may stop by The Cathedral of Athens, a modern Greek Orthodox cathedral, with a lovely mosaic on its facade.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xNfiHuqYBI2qnedqsClo0B_lkJp0TafNtgqpWyKhVJUz5AvgygbxHPTO_ig0WBtHG4NLM07lo5XCtDD5yAMVnBwwqM8Bn4hVu4k6c7rJt0nK_VXTIy67Ir3tnjS3y2Z7vQ9qjg/s1600/DSC00339.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xNfiHuqYBI2qnedqsClo0B_lkJp0TafNtgqpWyKhVJUz5AvgygbxHPTO_ig0WBtHG4NLM07lo5XCtDD5yAMVnBwwqM8Bn4hVu4k6c7rJt0nK_VXTIy67Ir3tnjS3y2Z7vQ9qjg/s320/DSC00339.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgObDyZxEOnRUpxO2q7bD4WgOL7DV98W-4yeFV4DO8rVpWSqy-5PT4_Chmi89OsISaMnELfrUa4U6WCTSEQJX9Qi34NqhI6syMDnf_iOjaj2gdzIyYn-kd4ptkfmhbPWIS-GfHg/s1600/DSC01053.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgObDyZxEOnRUpxO2q7bD4WgOL7DV98W-4yeFV4DO8rVpWSqy-5PT4_Chmi89OsISaMnELfrUa4U6WCTSEQJX9Qi34NqhI6syMDnf_iOjaj2gdzIyYn-kd4ptkfmhbPWIS-GfHg/s320/DSC01053.JPG" width="240" /></span></a><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
<br />
<br />
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Finally, on what we had thought would be our last day in Athens, we returned for the meatball and rice dish we had failed to order the last time we ate at this restaurant. Trying to keep it light, I ordered 2 salads, mixed, and a plate of beets. Both filling, but nothing really special to an avowed carnivore.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYI_IAgTAemrPVJ8AITtUXCQnNz4hlmLe1FELi2xaha0xlwXIcU39IZ7TBioR6J0Oxw3Z7FVVho77RxuDJJLcGXrTSLCdf6eYmH2mk7Pvf8NS-0YYhDRg7HPfTPytguF4ZTCTi2Q/s1600/FIL1577.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYI_IAgTAemrPVJ8AITtUXCQnNz4hlmLe1FELi2xaha0xlwXIcU39IZ7TBioR6J0Oxw3Z7FVVho77RxuDJJLcGXrTSLCdf6eYmH2mk7Pvf8NS-0YYhDRg7HPfTPytguF4ZTCTi2Q/s320/FIL1577.JPG" width="275" /></span></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSMhOOpYCm3Q5ZlxxTIegl0VXyowa36rnbKediNxc2xTQBkT7GUZMzMD6LObD_8PNl39WsLFvbj-WqrcxZ9MgZLB7UOVnR-nY_EXVlZjs75wFgdjfV7UrXnjsZ6vxzsT0ewydyg/s1600/FIL1578.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSMhOOpYCm3Q5ZlxxTIegl0VXyowa36rnbKediNxc2xTQBkT7GUZMzMD6LObD_8PNl39WsLFvbj-WqrcxZ9MgZLB7UOVnR-nY_EXVlZjs75wFgdjfV7UrXnjsZ6vxzsT0ewydyg/s320/FIL1578.JPG" width="275" /></span></a><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
<br />
<br />
</span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">
Luckily for me, I was offered a taste of the meatballs cooked in tomato sauce and served with rice. They were so full of flavor they could have been made by my grandmother, the benchmark by which I judge all meatballs.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwDJlhAKSpZSSFecFNSBKe3CVnrL6aFDL38QbYU3NQe-SzXv_fGEKcLz01sRtg5ixwMtRsNOMpPWrt2HVpJexhlIdRmBkPdmzKtPaqZ_swDsgFSiGcol7qxcQcmmgI0TJ_KNYAQ/s1600/FIL1576.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwDJlhAKSpZSSFecFNSBKe3CVnrL6aFDL38QbYU3NQe-SzXv_fGEKcLz01sRtg5ixwMtRsNOMpPWrt2HVpJexhlIdRmBkPdmzKtPaqZ_swDsgFSiGcol7qxcQcmmgI0TJ_KNYAQ/s320/FIL1576.JPG" width="600" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
<br />
</span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">
After planning our route to several Greek islands, we discovered that we would need to spend one more night in Athens, in order to leave Greece for our next destination, so we ended up in the Psiri neighborhood again. We went to a taverna, The Psiri Grill House, on the street leading northeast of Iron Square.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpL57k2cLQHsj0ihjmuODXu1y6pOujljTs9gUirDcn47vKeKnlUcyKLd7kFkLBrjClUjob3REmvUBIRM7BYxYhVt2NYUUXWbJl9rqnA6nQ_wApMJWl3M_2a0WG9VPo5e1T9LJZLQ/s1600/FIL4063.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpL57k2cLQHsj0ihjmuODXu1y6pOujljTs9gUirDcn47vKeKnlUcyKLd7kFkLBrjClUjob3REmvUBIRM7BYxYhVt2NYUUXWbJl9rqnA6nQ_wApMJWl3M_2a0WG9VPo5e1T9LJZLQ/s400/FIL4063.JPG" width="600" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="text-align: justify;">It was mild weather, so we sat outside. After being seated we realized that sitting opposite one another was going to be problematic since the chairs on one side of the table were actually in the street, so we sat side by side while I took these photos. A word of caution, the chairs were leaning against our table, so those cars are even closer than they appear.</span><br /><br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkEDTeyVDvIwD11q-dAzpg2wGkJeCNBrLF9XIWmCVS1X0bcTSbfcvmLClaz-XwBIsiYX8MTlnbsLEoUjp7KmBzDl73zKF8aLaGk-e2KZYrOcNIeJ_vvJRPlvmtB6hNxDYRFy_VIA/s1600/FIL4083.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkEDTeyVDvIwD11q-dAzpg2wGkJeCNBrLF9XIWmCVS1X0bcTSbfcvmLClaz-XwBIsiYX8MTlnbsLEoUjp7KmBzDl73zKF8aLaGk-e2KZYrOcNIeJ_vvJRPlvmtB6hNxDYRFy_VIA/s320/FIL4083.JPG" width="275" /></span></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxexrsGNQG2laxRUQOQ-asjEuCM1bFd8xIHrurKHnX0cg9m8fipQoSpWk__6TqUI9QVEmJ8fMQh1s4KAjJS86evmdoRfirOZTdeKY08K2RdjKmjiQFEV0VZF_BBkwUFKBM6PWmg/s1600/FIL4080.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxexrsGNQG2laxRUQOQ-asjEuCM1bFd8xIHrurKHnX0cg9m8fipQoSpWk__6TqUI9QVEmJ8fMQh1s4KAjJS86evmdoRfirOZTdeKY08K2RdjKmjiQFEV0VZF_BBkwUFKBM6PWmg/s320/FIL4080.JPG" width="275" /></span></a><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYsEfS8MvVRljL_4BjYtUZPagaZZlSsRponG7q_NKM_icmQ97W8xaZIGWQ5E_lmJCr86o1eZ2adzFy4cv6gqUIYMY4DSj7nD3zsLtOVB44bb3sbqj8WQW4OX7Eu1eX7kt8EDQ6qQ/s1600/FIL4079.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYsEfS8MvVRljL_4BjYtUZPagaZZlSsRponG7q_NKM_icmQ97W8xaZIGWQ5E_lmJCr86o1eZ2adzFy4cv6gqUIYMY4DSj7nD3zsLtOVB44bb3sbqj8WQW4OX7Eu1eX7kt8EDQ6qQ/s320/FIL4079.JPG" width="600" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<br />
</span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">
After perusing dozens of Greek menus, I was almost giddy to find a restaurant that served lamb souvlaki. All I had seen for weeks were souvlaki made from either chicken or pork. But I'm getting ahead of myself. We started our meal with hummus accompanied by a tasty little flat bread, and a tamboule salad, made with bulgar,parsley, tomatoes, onions, and mint with a lemon and olive oil (what else?) dressing. They were both refreshing on a hot day.<br />
<br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1_pW8w7c5xDW0N_3sA2Cns2abit5i7Njop34Kroj00ow_oIqNYaiggkIIt1-mcBtdudUayN8XnYPjIHg2xIVQdevtyHOo5DkUjfGt5QAnfjQT53HVRy9dT6wYCjTV_pynyUMUg/s1600/FIL4065.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1_pW8w7c5xDW0N_3sA2Cns2abit5i7Njop34Kroj00ow_oIqNYaiggkIIt1-mcBtdudUayN8XnYPjIHg2xIVQdevtyHOo5DkUjfGt5QAnfjQT53HVRy9dT6wYCjTV_pynyUMUg/s320/FIL4065.JPG" width="275" /></span></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEfj7XLb3A52emT1KZdCSqxsXMpdt4zvGcvXCsm1NSGSpuPdD7W_5CzTbXTHtc-yPJS-EjjdcsvBA2z0uVqDeZV7JfWTkxU5yML0-rpChqcviBidFFiOyPAo5LQZlPeJtKsEslpw/s1600/FIL4064.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEfj7XLb3A52emT1KZdCSqxsXMpdt4zvGcvXCsm1NSGSpuPdD7W_5CzTbXTHtc-yPJS-EjjdcsvBA2z0uVqDeZV7JfWTkxU5yML0-rpChqcviBidFFiOyPAo5LQZlPeJtKsEslpw/s320/FIL4064.JPG" width="275" /></span></a><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
<br />
<br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnA-KJeKNhZcT6yEKaPjBpgyAThFMFYEw7zrwJ_OQcaH1eynXYKVEbFfgkjy-3yn7U1PoMqjwaqVSpKiZsA7OyBtFvYhWD96gp4JpNCCrrgNNwJ-E8RZeo_zpqGfGGkEcwXfzd3w/s1600/FIL4067.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnA-KJeKNhZcT6yEKaPjBpgyAThFMFYEw7zrwJ_OQcaH1eynXYKVEbFfgkjy-3yn7U1PoMqjwaqVSpKiZsA7OyBtFvYhWD96gp4JpNCCrrgNNwJ-E8RZeo_zpqGfGGkEcwXfzd3w/s400/FIL4067.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiqYaD11O2mOYtt1qKSVjkYHboZKKc2HYQHQBo9N7eVsArukyXDFLdbl9z49GXEBIykzHCpABGLvv1mfnDw5SoYg8mfPZKUEhI0PWRbyzKkQUzFqc2wd1XcObTNN-c6lfR0kQxPA/s1600/FIL4068.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiqYaD11O2mOYtt1qKSVjkYHboZKKc2HYQHQBo9N7eVsArukyXDFLdbl9z49GXEBIykzHCpABGLvv1mfnDw5SoYg8mfPZKUEhI0PWRbyzKkQUzFqc2wd1XcObTNN-c6lfR0kQxPA/s320/FIL4068.JPG" width="600" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
<br />
This restaurant provided me the perfect meal for our last evening in Athens. If we had discovered Psiri Grill House sooner we could have gone back several times. It's on our list for our next trip to Athens. The interior space was appealing, so a table there would be desirable.<br />
<br />
</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH1bQYv54I7ctOFTyBeN0xvAwP7XocjEGKgmOPQSgu5auI2D9Sk5iKfhWONmVMRTlTyEn00y3XzBbkojWobqZkALH-AlafQNjxBoS3QAmzmRmwGV6SXxUUQpb0M_Ggzo2QSB4DsQ/s1600/FIL4088.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH1bQYv54I7ctOFTyBeN0xvAwP7XocjEGKgmOPQSgu5auI2D9Sk5iKfhWONmVMRTlTyEn00y3XzBbkojWobqZkALH-AlafQNjxBoS3QAmzmRmwGV6SXxUUQpb0M_Ggzo2QSB4DsQ/s200/FIL4088.JPG" width="150" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgilATvq7PQFrBT7srfXz6rK0bMT_my5uIO8-ssYzEJ3LGgvEM6QKKmwQCdqYIMe2VSBqqtc4yFk6fudV5Z-FxIqEC-2vhYZ-h-fVS83odXzjrbIWs9ShkMHNO9bHaragALVGP6Yw/s1600/FIL4078.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgilATvq7PQFrBT7srfXz6rK0bMT_my5uIO8-ssYzEJ3LGgvEM6QKKmwQCdqYIMe2VSBqqtc4yFk6fudV5Z-FxIqEC-2vhYZ-h-fVS83odXzjrbIWs9ShkMHNO9bHaragALVGP6Yw/s200/FIL4078.JPG" width="150" /></span></a><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRqaM0mnhWl_q9Yn2C1ZsDUIeVm7mteYKcWJD2Q7RFVE3B41U_y_7XrpfyQfl1B73yJPMBXrMyCH27ga2VFsi-Jy83IFBUMHuoImr7Bzt8GIWo_6A4ioKIdkULjcslE4AZGjpWA/s1600/FIL4075.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRqaM0mnhWl_q9Yn2C1ZsDUIeVm7mteYKcWJD2Q7RFVE3B41U_y_7XrpfyQfl1B73yJPMBXrMyCH27ga2VFsi-Jy83IFBUMHuoImr7Bzt8GIWo_6A4ioKIdkULjcslE4AZGjpWA/s320/FIL4075.JPG" width="280" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTruMRJVS4OsFe-Pk-7bRstOXeuH-nvUdUcGmPJn4k1EkDoKBCOWoNauU2ccXrudeRGGWjmk5sEwYwj20EUxV7VEOocVJhgvzun1R9NcTGlu5FQytJImMQmM_i3CPxNYGRU8sFAw/s1600/FIL4086.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTruMRJVS4OsFe-Pk-7bRstOXeuH-nvUdUcGmPJn4k1EkDoKBCOWoNauU2ccXrudeRGGWjmk5sEwYwj20EUxV7VEOocVJhgvzun1R9NcTGlu5FQytJImMQmM_i3CPxNYGRU8sFAw/s320/FIL4086.JPG" width="275" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2hnWw0MWk5DMYLD5RhhIlmETALyZH_Wwp3PJoNyS0XWlWN2RIv3iyCUKXtrO5CExJIg7PjUChlsuoDbDLdvNw3QTMkkzMLdumCb5c1evGSbXi6xY-uB80H8Brs5cbQYIJez8oUQ/s1600/FIL4085.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2hnWw0MWk5DMYLD5RhhIlmETALyZH_Wwp3PJoNyS0XWlWN2RIv3iyCUKXtrO5CExJIg7PjUChlsuoDbDLdvNw3QTMkkzMLdumCb5c1evGSbXi6xY-uB80H8Brs5cbQYIJez8oUQ/s320/FIL4085.JPG" width="275" /></span></a><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Souvlaki was the last item on my bucket list of what I had hoped to try eating in Greece. By the way, when you order a "chop" in Greece, you may expect a bone, but you can find a sliced fillet instead as seen in the photo of the pork chop ordered from this restaurant.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFXG4mSw_yIE506Eqvrz0u7OFMUgKzDeQEKb7FV1Lusv81BjyfaaeirUU7OUgdZfNY9rYhYJnjnWKz2sY1IV2t22NhvNfS8DFNaH-2nEg_h72JljEUS30BmZWqcWJ_aJoaqw-tA/s1600/FIL4073.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFXG4mSw_yIE506Eqvrz0u7OFMUgKzDeQEKb7FV1Lusv81BjyfaaeirUU7OUgdZfNY9rYhYJnjnWKz2sY1IV2t22NhvNfS8DFNaH-2nEg_h72JljEUS30BmZWqcWJ_aJoaqw-tA/s320/FIL4073.JPG" width="275" /></span></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirV_HO2zdbJ-PSaRSTbd6S4AXc6I4UEu01vBSshPku6ijs1Ok0VOwCFOddEP-NmPExvnbYl45uvG5v4S9hzqsufjE8cJzqJlMyN2YMhmKSpaji7gxC3Ole1Wy31linYVfuZpg4bA/s1600/FIL4070.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirV_HO2zdbJ-PSaRSTbd6S4AXc6I4UEu01vBSshPku6ijs1Ok0VOwCFOddEP-NmPExvnbYl45uvG5v4S9hzqsufjE8cJzqJlMyN2YMhmKSpaji7gxC3Ole1Wy31linYVfuZpg4bA/s320/FIL4070.JPG" width="275" /></span></a><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
<br />
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCaJsC3rCUXemr6MUDINb1sZBhYZGFL91FunL-P3CEXamVir19gvkulOVuwmCgp7w5B-revqTVNMLFSWQkV5yj-b6-5RWxlJFfDApCQXjEvQufMWvWM-_su-t0YhmmjcER4mWfsg/s1600/FIL4072.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCaJsC3rCUXemr6MUDINb1sZBhYZGFL91FunL-P3CEXamVir19gvkulOVuwmCgp7w5B-revqTVNMLFSWQkV5yj-b6-5RWxlJFfDApCQXjEvQufMWvWM-_su-t0YhmmjcER4mWfsg/s640/FIL4072.JPG" width="600" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />
<br />
<br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div><span style="font-family: verdana;">
In my strong drive to find a classic lamb souvlaki, to round out eating my way through Greece, I failed to notice the broad selection of seafood being offered by this restaurant. I can't wait to try some.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Update:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7EpmKSvNXjbet5UtOO-LzGiQ-8-cbu8gVQKp5IN2J-CheiY38oxzJ-rGB0OJBNYLHeXu7m5w_ClkJag6-ZUpOTT9UJrx4zHMYCbd9v2stqIUQ2ZOWhECTOA8OlbE-Ztkrjwi_Q/s800/IMG_5217.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7EpmKSvNXjbet5UtOO-LzGiQ-8-cbu8gVQKp5IN2J-CheiY38oxzJ-rGB0OJBNYLHeXu7m5w_ClkJag6-ZUpOTT9UJrx4zHMYCbd9v2stqIUQ2ZOWhECTOA8OlbE-Ztkrjwi_Q/s320/IMG_5217.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">We found ourselves in Athens two years later and bee lined to Psiri Grill House, but instead of sitting in the street and fearing we would be mowed down by a car, we decided to try the comfort of dining inside.</span><span><a name='more'></a></span><span><!--more--></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jSNcMo016Xyi3k2Hkfrif3sLdrpaioKq_utsS_P24giEublsh-VWuFedcnVwsu28WMQSOWNW2QYmV9lFVdNyOUe3G453R790MOsc6knJ6HGamUMzFHBz81HHwWYPoZl7k6U8RA/s800/IMG_5033.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="800" height="405" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jSNcMo016Xyi3k2Hkfrif3sLdrpaioKq_utsS_P24giEublsh-VWuFedcnVwsu28WMQSOWNW2QYmV9lFVdNyOUe3G453R790MOsc6knJ6HGamUMzFHBz81HHwWYPoZl7k6U8RA/w538-h405/IMG_5033.JPG" width="538" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Trying the fish fell by the wayside, as we discovered their fried local mushrooms; something we had not seen in other restaurants. They were so good we went back the next day for more.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh514SCUjKHJx4HzuNWp5lfVgKEOdeKuZi1Ayss-V39qjrQr2N_dJ71ARz1xM3EmhfSKWv7IQidUEAPUn7a0lYe3BlEMJkNLWez_Gt2UW-3QC-FwfrLyeAA-DE7n7U7um6SpGfwYg/s800/IMG_5220.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="800" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh514SCUjKHJx4HzuNWp5lfVgKEOdeKuZi1Ayss-V39qjrQr2N_dJ71ARz1xM3EmhfSKWv7IQidUEAPUn7a0lYe3BlEMJkNLWez_Gt2UW-3QC-FwfrLyeAA-DE7n7U7um6SpGfwYg/w272-h216/IMG_5220.JPG" width="272" /></a></div><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UP4Rr07V56TRqqVXbjaUEhpXEqdHI9DZhIkKeeJk8zsB4QgTxEEUfgAz_QpQ6s4iSUt8dfWqzwtQNWQKjV9t70PSnBuPSgGMcnsb-5gHzK0z9fBGQj3sQtQKnoL2Xp43ewyIWg/w272-h215/IMG_5038.JPG" width="272" /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">The taste was complimented by the smoke of the grill and with olive oil and salt they were remarkable in flavor. On our 2nd try, the smoke was more dominant and I could understand how these could be a satisfying alternative to meat.</span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div><div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjPjlKk42athRad6YntAO5HocnrZgBt6WOPQJ2ZuBOLQfJnSpWDuJRAQfsfC8fVhl-_gmPjlM7hjqO3oRhMvpwL8o9TRRfa8GCTP0ho3LV4k9Kk-gLvZBpJ1GQk9Vkb07KvWSsQ/w271-h207/IMG_5036.JPG" width="271" /><br /></div><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrWopV7A_8C0v4GqqdUPL4rnP-OnWSXFbvehFMLxAikDVOjt3fPVqfsAQwUoGyo2bLqPzKP98sqwk63D6yDdlIiAx8RzqSAvsCCkkaQrq6b91C4ko_nf0hsHPRt2_m-0GSuiEsQ/w277-h208/FIL4062.JPG" width="277" /><br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">After reviewing the seafood selection, it became apparent that</span> <span style="font-family: verdana;">with the choices of mushrooms and lamb, I could put off the seafood for another trip to Athens. </span></div></div>Vita d'Orohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12264556946744893084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28489671.post-91601755604853518402017-05-27T12:48:00.000-07:002020-01-09T00:16:56.605-08:00Kardamili and Viglia Greece<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdtfmJ90A8Ak0M3WUmnaoJTpb1OjcJdLkaMMjmqAjOTyn5IiVexO0CFVBVrYdZwS3rUeGpnRz9jMBxqNFjbX86EYnxfUNlNoclXi9KsyhbkUGO87HqzzWYiAQE88K27uyIL6lDFw/s1600/DSC00768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdtfmJ90A8Ak0M3WUmnaoJTpb1OjcJdLkaMMjmqAjOTyn5IiVexO0CFVBVrYdZwS3rUeGpnRz9jMBxqNFjbX86EYnxfUNlNoclXi9KsyhbkUGO87HqzzWYiAQE88K27uyIL6lDFw/s200/DSC00768.JPG" width="275" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WQaJv5eDsvwz63Nnr0Cjfd-62ZwT-w_X4-YgCsviw3LhYrIMeVGhcC-EM0V5AZqr3f6b9q7uHYvmwP0aRPFq3VC5gFyOf0NK_kvbdT73J2cLCKNrpJkbMOBilJjmfnqa9-nJtA/s1600/DSC00980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WQaJv5eDsvwz63Nnr0Cjfd-62ZwT-w_X4-YgCsviw3LhYrIMeVGhcC-EM0V5AZqr3f6b9q7uHYvmwP0aRPFq3VC5gFyOf0NK_kvbdT73J2cLCKNrpJkbMOBilJjmfnqa9-nJtA/s200/DSC00980.JPG" width="275" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjruESFHTgA7lSwgqknzN7bGICxKIQGdHIcXaXw9htXEfhAUk-cXCXrB5hBVw_Kxh9lBIT-cpqkEzCeSlZwzZUwfqKvmtuexldtHIbKWaCw2EsJEXiFSzuGXlOiL2IA1tclbzY6pw/s1600/DSC00846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQhbNCkh4v_jQ211BQn0R8GExTk4Q7-deWm9SlACYyPQg0CWL-DD_vQmyqFKFnvKTrtr8Ifkbw8cwxSzs6lN67nriSaLtBIwEz19hAbh7hdfKKN68HSFxl84lylKcA5EyaSGvVw/s1600/DSC00954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQhbNCkh4v_jQ211BQn0R8GExTk4Q7-deWm9SlACYyPQg0CWL-DD_vQmyqFKFnvKTrtr8Ifkbw8cwxSzs6lN67nriSaLtBIwEz19hAbh7hdfKKN68HSFxl84lylKcA5EyaSGvVw/s200/DSC00954.JPG" width="275" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7D_445DtZCXisyHIamMQoqw68-iao0RAOz3tz7Yxw-Hi66A1ZjMVelsZAd6UDsfIaQqVdFElAJiu6qTds8844uEAxSBE0uOxs31uZeDg8if92mqP0KdSSxpiMwljY9_mj1PGphg/s1600/DSC00956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7D_445DtZCXisyHIamMQoqw68-iao0RAOz3tz7Yxw-Hi66A1ZjMVelsZAd6UDsfIaQqVdFElAJiu6qTds8844uEAxSBE0uOxs31uZeDg8if92mqP0KdSSxpiMwljY9_mj1PGphg/s200/DSC00956.JPG" width="275" /></a><br />
Don't bother looking for Viglia on a map. It's a tiny hamlet along the south western Peloponnese and is too small a community to even have a grocery store. Streets are unpaved or cobbled, and so narrow you can barely, even while traveling at a "snail's pace", fit a compact car through some of them without biting your lip.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJJVUnWNES67zJ6BqEwVpu9_uJBxIuU2YUAVzCMLWrJqQ5gwSD5JXyJXTImWt_SuqGn4Sdl9vnluaLP_0TrlEbitQuTAqTg-i4zpTmZitGSfXSM7eyYZRUFJaviAur84sCRMNkw/s1600/DSC00838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJJVUnWNES67zJ6BqEwVpu9_uJBxIuU2YUAVzCMLWrJqQ5gwSD5JXyJXTImWt_SuqGn4Sdl9vnluaLP_0TrlEbitQuTAqTg-i4zpTmZitGSfXSM7eyYZRUFJaviAur84sCRMNkw/s640/DSC00838.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJz_1AUd3tHKValP8W8sLGz2OE5DjPkenrwjqHkxzdfRW1fe6JY3iO9OevLDC4b2zaMyuJK2phyphenhyphenOBDBDxp_pJxghBkxaKn3TZz7ts1996xrXaCqk7k_NRrxE56j1BBT9BIteFkA/s1600/DSC00820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="598" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJz_1AUd3tHKValP8W8sLGz2OE5DjPkenrwjqHkxzdfRW1fe6JY3iO9OevLDC4b2zaMyuJK2phyphenhyphenOBDBDxp_pJxghBkxaKn3TZz7ts1996xrXaCqk7k_NRrxE56j1BBT9BIteFkA/s200/DSC00820.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRh0EQ_zsAGX6krd27bwRP2651rDaOtM1wyPyk97c2fO3TM8Tb2i6gd8HOU5sLgLK3lc_vdSJ3C-nnblyCfI8TUkQ35EPhB7OD05PJxOPXW56mw_tRZULs_e6v1229nDO3qMp27w/s1600/DSC00825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRh0EQ_zsAGX6krd27bwRP2651rDaOtM1wyPyk97c2fO3TM8Tb2i6gd8HOU5sLgLK3lc_vdSJ3C-nnblyCfI8TUkQ35EPhB7OD05PJxOPXW56mw_tRZULs_e6v1229nDO3qMp27w/s200/DSC00825.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
Kardamili lured us to the area, but Anaxo Resort Hotel lured us to Viglia, 7 kilometers further south. But, more about Anaxo after we actually arrive at the resort. We're getting ahead of ourselves.<br />
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvUDz5-ADY_PrOE7X3FWi7t_UIg8DK3v8JanRCgYruIj75yYQ65oyrYLp39f_eG4kBy_eejQxw5QzWzNX2WKMsgdcCsk-xr1ELNXWwGxVTY9wjRkUigqD4CKcel3H7GM-2AvL-Q/s1600/DSC00792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvUDz5-ADY_PrOE7X3FWi7t_UIg8DK3v8JanRCgYruIj75yYQ65oyrYLp39f_eG4kBy_eejQxw5QzWzNX2WKMsgdcCsk-xr1ELNXWwGxVTY9wjRkUigqD4CKcel3H7GM-2AvL-Q/s640/DSC00792.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
We had heard that Kardamili was a small town with lovely beaches, and saw a few photos as proof, so added it to our itinerary without a second thought. Always do your homework before traveling. It was so small, we found little else besides the beaches and a massive enclave of modern condos. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJI-KRMq5b-gwH4sLjpEfQI6r_oyH2BuQvCCeOXbYW-ds0rkqyjEQNC3122A9ESP7kpZF5yScD-8ThwcbirGl62ijV7IHf_2WCMupWZdOtS5KHuvfn5WN_t3Eg28Gxy06fn1Euvg/s1600/DSC00865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJI-KRMq5b-gwH4sLjpEfQI6r_oyH2BuQvCCeOXbYW-ds0rkqyjEQNC3122A9ESP7kpZF5yScD-8ThwcbirGl62ijV7IHf_2WCMupWZdOtS5KHuvfn5WN_t3Eg28Gxy06fn1Euvg/s640/DSC00865.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There were also a few shops, some small businesses with no connection to tourism, 2 small grocery stores, more like general stores selling food and beach gear, with more snacks than food, and a bakery that was half full and made better eclairs than baklava.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv00nMrQLABq_l1ZCm1lOj7hgY3U0xprV8Kcp8Ue9OzxXn2ApZXJ0eGgijXfs9s9JMFQ6E2t_far-szmuyX9ISJkG4B5PmEjYDuLWenADGUajoEssZO-_YzwYsPNMEpkHhOUnsEw/s1600/DSC00958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv00nMrQLABq_l1ZCm1lOj7hgY3U0xprV8Kcp8Ue9OzxXn2ApZXJ0eGgijXfs9s9JMFQ6E2t_far-szmuyX9ISJkG4B5PmEjYDuLWenADGUajoEssZO-_YzwYsPNMEpkHhOUnsEw/s200/DSC00958.JPG" width="275" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJBH6aWfcXbfI_paUzKUEDM8boJxCGbuBN4HZ5gt3yatK7U4daF7KtKvAyUtgjf-u7q5NFFApP53-EbLl2c4Pum_3RQTBALXYYTO4r5RV6csb7GKdKepURRmP_XtIOVctZbU-Fw/s1600/DSC00959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJBH6aWfcXbfI_paUzKUEDM8boJxCGbuBN4HZ5gt3yatK7U4daF7KtKvAyUtgjf-u7q5NFFApP53-EbLl2c4Pum_3RQTBALXYYTO4r5RV6csb7GKdKepURRmP_XtIOVctZbU-Fw/s200/DSC00959.JPG" width="275" /></a><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Fortune smiled upon us as we parked to get our bearings and kicked ourselves for not thinking things through. We hadn't even been able to find the beach. But, there across this block long, side street we saw Kiki's, a family run restaurant with an abbreviated menu, that did double duty as a place to rent a room.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMS-Fz_wabKWFSx2gDwzOv1JVo3MZBGM1EAPxHx9_0LbKpfBBwEqDqZTMpls1l9WZChrhZWWOVVFCnMFsgxpRG2VhXd2jEW9AKWt3_Sg2Y2KyyGCpPYS9sSZDE3koBtX9V_Y0TQ/s1600/DSC00764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMS-Fz_wabKWFSx2gDwzOv1JVo3MZBGM1EAPxHx9_0LbKpfBBwEqDqZTMpls1l9WZChrhZWWOVVFCnMFsgxpRG2VhXd2jEW9AKWt3_Sg2Y2KyyGCpPYS9sSZDE3koBtX9V_Y0TQ/s200/DSC00764.JPG" width="190" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLheHNLnwCPU2y5yNBnFjFONDPdVpXh4N9a_MjHOc4QMhf1_BxpPN7GyThbgUhKMXtqhb25WGTKJq-PDjQGp8SmPXRIYdXFsdbAr49L65993Loq0WqvZQ1kQdnYch-W2W6oNO0Rg/s1600/DSC00766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="593" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLheHNLnwCPU2y5yNBnFjFONDPdVpXh4N9a_MjHOc4QMhf1_BxpPN7GyThbgUhKMXtqhb25WGTKJq-PDjQGp8SmPXRIYdXFsdbAr49L65993Loq0WqvZQ1kQdnYch-W2W6oNO0Rg/s200/DSC00766.JPG" width="360" /></a><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There were 5 options so we ordered the thing we can seldom find at home, roasted goat with potatoes. Finding a meat not given its last rights with olive oil was a treat. We also ordered a rice and vegetable dish that was filling.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiT3fOpB3UWQA3AK__d_lSbJIs0tEh5_OeCeiB_ceZxG6ygOpDZ_ayw6Z8-tAHAzozbX_RcaU4gciMe6qBm69FHPzTL3_0g8IwUHkY19-c5tKvhXXv1FqgUL6KW-TS1W3qncW-9Q/s1600/DSC00763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="584" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiT3fOpB3UWQA3AK__d_lSbJIs0tEh5_OeCeiB_ceZxG6ygOpDZ_ayw6Z8-tAHAzozbX_RcaU4gciMe6qBm69FHPzTL3_0g8IwUHkY19-c5tKvhXXv1FqgUL6KW-TS1W3qncW-9Q/s200/DSC00763.JPG" width="275" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsvYOrGe1etKbp1O3rBtZWUTmeh9GV8N6_vvXHvqpBL2essdYbyyuj4rM4Ahk-qCpwBHiGmCr3jL1-PcUOrEvLrZH581C7mJD-mqFjmvLHzlOOi6u41pCXpm-WGEHtXYoqdVGycQ/s1600/DSC00760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="593" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsvYOrGe1etKbp1O3rBtZWUTmeh9GV8N6_vvXHvqpBL2essdYbyyuj4rM4Ahk-qCpwBHiGmCr3jL1-PcUOrEvLrZH581C7mJD-mqFjmvLHzlOOi6u41pCXpm-WGEHtXYoqdVGycQ/s200/DSC00760.JPG" width="275" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We tried a common enough salad made of cabbage, carrots and lettuce. The crunch factor was reason enough to order this, besides which, it filled our vegetable quota for the day. I should mention that the bread was more flavorful than one could reasonably expect in a small town.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZxx394tw3qOqGn5UuINW6Yin0aFRy4BKIMczL13TAmh88_xGPuuqxItvCOkSGxCWCUSIon0lqcUCqZglmN4Dg6c0oYOpabTJVgIcsjFr917sXhFe439RDtU6BZgRs7pc-gL5Fw/s1600/DSC00756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="599" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZxx394tw3qOqGn5UuINW6Yin0aFRy4BKIMczL13TAmh88_xGPuuqxItvCOkSGxCWCUSIon0lqcUCqZglmN4Dg6c0oYOpabTJVgIcsjFr917sXhFe439RDtU6BZgRs7pc-gL5Fw/s320/DSC00756.JPG" width="276" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Qi7LqkBD9vALWgpkEGrVZtctOXCzIb_bT9QEuPrvhs8qSLinQx9aT-hIG_wnvQyM8lFWkBWqyMnpZuA9Okmsgzw_MtQqN0Yu_GLWvT8-CcK8gUdql0J9a-fCI8M2k2_GoyaVIQ/s1600/DSC00754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="593" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Qi7LqkBD9vALWgpkEGrVZtctOXCzIb_bT9QEuPrvhs8qSLinQx9aT-hIG_wnvQyM8lFWkBWqyMnpZuA9Okmsgzw_MtQqN0Yu_GLWvT8-CcK8gUdql0J9a-fCI8M2k2_GoyaVIQ/s320/DSC00754.JPG" width="276" /></a><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I spent a bit of time talking to the owner about the Greek economy and learned something interesting about building codes. Locals are not allowed to modify their older buildings to modern tastes, but must use the old building materials and keep classic proportions. She wasn't allowed to add a wrap around deck, which I suspected she thought would make her rooms more appealing to renters. Her neighbors had just rebuilt their property with stone and mortar, like the rest of the town, but the stone color was different. It looked new and crisp, yet blended into the surrounding area.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After our late lunch, we proceeded down the coast and thanked the universe for a GSP, because we found Anaxo only by doing exactly what we were told. We even went through the narrowest street in town, any town excepting Venice, to get to it. This photo does not convey the terror of trying to proceed down this street. The mirror was inches short of grazing the wall, and the foundation of the building was further out into the street than the wall. I couldn't help but wonder how the building materials were brought to the site of the hotel, because a normal sized car couldn't get through, let alone a truck. It turned out that, in true GPS style, we were led to the most direct route, even though there was a larger road leading to the resort. At least there were no roundabouts to confuse the system into taking us in a more scenic direction, although it did take us through a town center we had no interest in seeing.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_t1uufCuE3a5F74WXMXJa1uCDvW9wuiBuj42VDEGqXQtcFD3GrFTC9bNeELcWZVW0ktiWb6NAbcCxpWzkZ6ySXza1MgMRc8GblcDqFdKOblQEZqdpw96k5Jz9LMYi85qSyHEDw/s1600/DSC00848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_t1uufCuE3a5F74WXMXJa1uCDvW9wuiBuj42VDEGqXQtcFD3GrFTC9bNeELcWZVW0ktiWb6NAbcCxpWzkZ6ySXza1MgMRc8GblcDqFdKOblQEZqdpw96k5Jz9LMYi85qSyHEDw/s640/DSC00848.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
It was a relief to finally arrive at the hotel and decompress after the drive from Nafplio, besides having had to "run the gauntlet" through Viglia, holding our breaths while trying not to damage the rental car.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPL7L5p7qFmmeVuXmzerCsS8mXhGDMJpnT_Z-DPNjSjOVcpYoQE3206RIHOQIkisPUQVNEje9nWR_zt5nS82mX1TyIDvj4wd2S54k-2pbpJF_txuQ0xzjHy37paFrorbwxky4Rw/s1600/DSC00829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPL7L5p7qFmmeVuXmzerCsS8mXhGDMJpnT_Z-DPNjSjOVcpYoQE3206RIHOQIkisPUQVNEje9nWR_zt5nS82mX1TyIDvj4wd2S54k-2pbpJF_txuQ0xzjHy37paFrorbwxky4Rw/s640/DSC00829.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
The resort was minimal and modern with only 16 rooms and an infinity pool. There may have been a few multi room suites, but most of the rooms were studios fitted with kitchens and a dining area, in addition to an enclosed deck with an additional table and chairs.
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3y99LvVexiGdo3KIueSquR6v1OW7iCt0aq1lw3LEu5WVM3F59AF4c8mP4Etqwk4Ega1DzWCJcmit-W-ITx2hdGUJ-zF8FVZRxZ7Y2VE8y7RBI4uzFIEsQrFSOyDd30pdXEpUYxQ/s1600/DSC00776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="597" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3y99LvVexiGdo3KIueSquR6v1OW7iCt0aq1lw3LEu5WVM3F59AF4c8mP4Etqwk4Ega1DzWCJcmit-W-ITx2hdGUJ-zF8FVZRxZ7Y2VE8y7RBI4uzFIEsQrFSOyDd30pdXEpUYxQ/s200/DSC00776.JPG" width="275" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwOuM1fE6aV2ZJ8Ej5VxjdcN66GODCsnprJ5EP5nLWniRBnUP5hyphenhyphenl8-n8qjO8BXP46uUeIwwkbmEh-hnlOumq2ROOryhv0yyZj68s2zBmCQzROfy4RjpbJD1vLDrA-tPMQFLpEA/s1600/DSC00778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwOuM1fE6aV2ZJ8Ej5VxjdcN66GODCsnprJ5EP5nLWniRBnUP5hyphenhyphenl8-n8qjO8BXP46uUeIwwkbmEh-hnlOumq2ROOryhv0yyZj68s2zBmCQzROfy4RjpbJD1vLDrA-tPMQFLpEA/s200/DSC00778.JPG" width="275" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGK_HWY22DoTwVcqyfiFBcvW4WZfTipkmdWGb1fhUFbyj4cCDOvPJcI2DwncBliWrhsYWLcaabZ7GEXfNdyRy4qH-3k4qYUMQMZXNtHgITZX2FRZHwoNJf9zvq8sUIpEkGabs6ow/s1600/DSC00775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGK_HWY22DoTwVcqyfiFBcvW4WZfTipkmdWGb1fhUFbyj4cCDOvPJcI2DwncBliWrhsYWLcaabZ7GEXfNdyRy4qH-3k4qYUMQMZXNtHgITZX2FRZHwoNJf9zvq8sUIpEkGabs6ow/s200/DSC00775.JPG" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdNm0qOhCYJIb63e2T9w6oVm5YGg1UfmOhvAYNVi2H_57b2j9bjNh-QP7Gl9JKKQVq9dRh_HeyYptGULQUsRVMJpNOne4aoCuPeNK17S9H0Dov0jA-AzAgUY-uzF8V7zxvGqbDA/s1600/DSC00783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdNm0qOhCYJIb63e2T9w6oVm5YGg1UfmOhvAYNVi2H_57b2j9bjNh-QP7Gl9JKKQVq9dRh_HeyYptGULQUsRVMJpNOne4aoCuPeNK17S9H0Dov0jA-AzAgUY-uzF8V7zxvGqbDA/s200/DSC00783.JPG" width="370" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
The kitchens were not brimming with equipment, but as I looked through the cupboards, it became clear that it would be possible to cook there. Thankfully there was a supermarket about 3km south called Katerina's that was fully stocked with fresh meats, produce, and most items one would need to make meals.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfh5xkMS5DeQTEu5caQiPcjKfw9dvTeOM1toCFRFC7odmRPVBT2zq0eHOsnyMKVbqd4YuGujGo2l8FUd25ofjkZPpqDyi9-B7hDerxQAGekdHugZ28-3ude7q_nn2aqY-CRYXOg/s1600/DSC00970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="538" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfh5xkMS5DeQTEu5caQiPcjKfw9dvTeOM1toCFRFC7odmRPVBT2zq0eHOsnyMKVbqd4YuGujGo2l8FUd25ofjkZPpqDyi9-B7hDerxQAGekdHugZ28-3ude7q_nn2aqY-CRYXOg/s200/DSC00970.JPG" width="275" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCNpzlidN6ThTKooo4_YP7AB-2KYnO5fVB2mW_ID1UksgLiJOEMwXGrq0rU0oaac_OLEt8vwJTymD_wkJ34g3txLJ3mFg7Wp0K2VtT_D4epGBEhoDn6yKamjuZP5elQlK6B4Vjw/s1600/DSC00974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCNpzlidN6ThTKooo4_YP7AB-2KYnO5fVB2mW_ID1UksgLiJOEMwXGrq0rU0oaac_OLEt8vwJTymD_wkJ34g3txLJ3mFg7Wp0K2VtT_D4epGBEhoDn6yKamjuZP5elQlK6B4Vjw/s200/DSC00974.JPG" width="275" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The grounds were beautifully planted with rosemary, lavender, and olive trees. They attracted so many bees, they should open an apiary and serve their very own honey with yogurt for breakfast. If you like baked goods, pastries, their breakfast will overwhelm you.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIa96FX5th4nLNPNN3N57rByxKPs4f6iPLWfswWlVOPTaAeH2XiTvB-JIjVpeixPkxGgooy0gL_8Q4CEzJKbJrStbMqlv7eGyjder29GBIxAcqj37qdOnZEyfyMcPdrnYrs0tKag/s1600/DSC00841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIa96FX5th4nLNPNN3N57rByxKPs4f6iPLWfswWlVOPTaAeH2XiTvB-JIjVpeixPkxGgooy0gL_8Q4CEzJKbJrStbMqlv7eGyjder29GBIxAcqj37qdOnZEyfyMcPdrnYrs0tKag/s640/DSC00841.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicor34PY_LpSgcmxOXUySgBq1jdAelQJz3c3BbmU4vU1ggXu6wkP5-HojnfLLiFXCfgeV53OEaLru3MNHgq1aeJmvy42s5AAapbfYtyoyc8sJBbctqQO9MS0gtHScYUJq_uL1M6g/s1600/DSC00812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="443" data-original-width="553" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicor34PY_LpSgcmxOXUySgBq1jdAelQJz3c3BbmU4vU1ggXu6wkP5-HojnfLLiFXCfgeV53OEaLru3MNHgq1aeJmvy42s5AAapbfYtyoyc8sJBbctqQO9MS0gtHScYUJq_uL1M6g/s200/DSC00812.JPG" width="278" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7sq6oY9rHHGa7zH1eFpdlPRrGIz8JCaqQzl19iSN1WcfpSv9hcvcZJWbZsfQ49nxA7PB9a52z1qCcxIB_s9GuIfdqCu4j0kahwq3IXeC0pvkvi1tJVLEwBr8qUtIb4KFs54Y2Tw/s1600/DSC00819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="582" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7sq6oY9rHHGa7zH1eFpdlPRrGIz8JCaqQzl19iSN1WcfpSv9hcvcZJWbZsfQ49nxA7PB9a52z1qCcxIB_s9GuIfdqCu4j0kahwq3IXeC0pvkvi1tJVLEwBr8qUtIb4KFs54Y2Tw/s200/DSC00819.JPG" width="278" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After a relaxing evening, we looked around the grounds and discovered that the hotel had a bar so we ordered a Mojito and a "Greek Mojito just for fun. The Greek Mojito was the superior drink made with basil, lemon, soda, and a Greek liqueur made from some part or other of the Mastic tree. It was herb flavored and refreshing.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim56ynb8EB1qJg2Fvoc61rzfdr6WAiLlnkmSKBZyjG84tyBFnoQcoC04BGdJeVbecs-OdD5HlDulWzUHNbZ4u3o9r0knVaHK6s_8lCMGUBojgxyNBZ5_XSsc28BtnCkkp9L3Jg6A/s1600/DSC00969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="447" data-original-width="558" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim56ynb8EB1qJg2Fvoc61rzfdr6WAiLlnkmSKBZyjG84tyBFnoQcoC04BGdJeVbecs-OdD5HlDulWzUHNbZ4u3o9r0knVaHK6s_8lCMGUBojgxyNBZ5_XSsc28BtnCkkp9L3Jg6A/s200/DSC00969.JPG" width="278" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_6XlhWsw4Qfiy9Qi5schCtl0kdcPgpDOC1DLBqfE6L3Y09-ZM9-YtLhnOBpUNIc31LafFSWJu3RV_4f-5cxiTuWVjfQM91cqeYqTxrutEPM11oKSxJhQME-qV5xMtnG4lS_gWTQ/s1600/DSC00830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_6XlhWsw4Qfiy9Qi5schCtl0kdcPgpDOC1DLBqfE6L3Y09-ZM9-YtLhnOBpUNIc31LafFSWJu3RV_4f-5cxiTuWVjfQM91cqeYqTxrutEPM11oKSxJhQME-qV5xMtnG4lS_gWTQ/s200/DSC00830.JPG" width="278" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
The next morning we headed towards the coast to find the beaches. The first we found was south of Viglia on a slightly crescent shaped bay.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEoYKMk-xQFq-dkeUZ5ywSEUfCuZ0vemyq_57WSlJkUMkCJLxL036J__8qsO58mMJD34UGme4A3W5fmnO-IJsTm1w9Vr-FTNW63seVxV-uKXMN76AuJ4PR6mR4wZ38RMjOcnE7Nw/s1600/DSC00869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEoYKMk-xQFq-dkeUZ5ywSEUfCuZ0vemyq_57WSlJkUMkCJLxL036J__8qsO58mMJD34UGme4A3W5fmnO-IJsTm1w9Vr-FTNW63seVxV-uKXMN76AuJ4PR6mR4wZ38RMjOcnE7Nw/s640/DSC00869.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Then we proceeded to Kardamili where we had to stop for lunch, because the location was so beautiful. Admittedly, this beach was, in reality, a boat ramp, but it was still beautiful with a rocky coastline where the restaurant's busboy attempted to fish for bait.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYdkdt6nvhyMza1DPbHlLwQwAgXOnHj3ZujZB9iTU9tuR65G2f_CIREdakM3erFVt8vbD9c2Eqw1M_5DETaYuJNeFsg2GpuULGThhXX6G8FXgkKcHOuu2_sZ9tNtZKcN-al0EqA/s1600/DSC00879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="437" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYdkdt6nvhyMza1DPbHlLwQwAgXOnHj3ZujZB9iTU9tuR65G2f_CIREdakM3erFVt8vbD9c2Eqw1M_5DETaYuJNeFsg2GpuULGThhXX6G8FXgkKcHOuu2_sZ9tNtZKcN-al0EqA/s640/DSC00879.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQjVP_m1VkOTuqNREZlR5XVclgKnUc9pqHahVdv6CJhKxY-1LTagTOi0M8dvLUuIy5AEugBB6CaWPf6X8Wa0sMUiSkejJqTzbUzhoF8yemrx6a5Zr3Vx0CcJv5kfqCaUDG2v0TA/s1600/DSC00882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="443" data-original-width="555" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQjVP_m1VkOTuqNREZlR5XVclgKnUc9pqHahVdv6CJhKxY-1LTagTOi0M8dvLUuIy5AEugBB6CaWPf6X8Wa0sMUiSkejJqTzbUzhoF8yemrx6a5Zr3Vx0CcJv5kfqCaUDG2v0TA/s640/DSC00882.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4cNPaF0KLi9uA_e0DVtIsxUr0Q3qTdnkAA5su2VupQmejzblhFQ8vq4QHz2SBz3ydRqF37mevjc5XRBzaBnQzfhQCAjHcZBQM5NbWDhWVIahE3Njzyw1UKdG9mC8Fc_hn8uBTFA/s1600/DSC00893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4cNPaF0KLi9uA_e0DVtIsxUr0Q3qTdnkAA5su2VupQmejzblhFQ8vq4QHz2SBz3ydRqF37mevjc5XRBzaBnQzfhQCAjHcZBQM5NbWDhWVIahE3Njzyw1UKdG9mC8Fc_hn8uBTFA/s200/DSC00893.JPG" width="278" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dxXi4a64pb5_ELL34SKfCdyUyZw6zFBF_6syAQFSVgV8t86nEJ4ZI_I3ZYhv3bSxOLZ8jaXQsW6cQhup5P7sB80uCL7ui381H-1q8TiVl65tZVn-cdTMEFwm3cBQ8QMt7SWLRw/s1600/DSC00902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dxXi4a64pb5_ELL34SKfCdyUyZw6zFBF_6syAQFSVgV8t86nEJ4ZI_I3ZYhv3bSxOLZ8jaXQsW6cQhup5P7sB80uCL7ui381H-1q8TiVl65tZVn-cdTMEFwm3cBQ8QMt7SWLRw/s200/DSC00902.JPG" width="278" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The restaurant on this little piece of paradise had a local dish that was begging to be tried, not only by us, but the local cats. Stewed rooster is not often seen on a menu, so we ordered it, along with lamb and potatoes, as well as a plate of mussels to share, which turned out to be green lipped mussels, so not a local delicacy, although that was not a problem for the cats.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9xl9RopN39KAYdEGgnGrXHS4cIgRS3dqocDuM_sMWsf4v8jBGeQwfpa-dy6AOP8bhdIKaD5qyTelAEogNBemxhfc_Tqc_Kj7UNrAvLPr7zX3YdHNF-kfnyJyQ-iVGqpKYwDyYw/s1600/DSC00887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="459" data-original-width="574" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9xl9RopN39KAYdEGgnGrXHS4cIgRS3dqocDuM_sMWsf4v8jBGeQwfpa-dy6AOP8bhdIKaD5qyTelAEogNBemxhfc_Tqc_Kj7UNrAvLPr7zX3YdHNF-kfnyJyQ-iVGqpKYwDyYw/s200/DSC00887.JPG" width="278" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBd9NEOLUsYoPbXlf0WztwG9caSRphWnvoZo_WpHfI_5AMTc_E8__v8pUawu788QsIbR_81ttMzF46TFWfVQrXGfpS2CxX3x64WWJ9fcNRGUNX0fGMcjuXShVuXh3nkNpm2Okww/s1600/DSC00888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="592" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBd9NEOLUsYoPbXlf0WztwG9caSRphWnvoZo_WpHfI_5AMTc_E8__v8pUawu788QsIbR_81ttMzF46TFWfVQrXGfpS2CxX3x64WWJ9fcNRGUNX0fGMcjuXShVuXh3nkNpm2Okww/s200/DSC00888.JPG" width="278" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimaoD6MDt28vUIwGz3hKBMKjMjYcnmq_yInqsJY3JexmBaFfCgHpe7-Vph88GonitUjybiQOO4y-dFPa1aYSpM-tcKOiE1UJa-5f_c1_NZjA76_drnEpIxMkzmvkHOLMAfgrqaUg/s1600/DSC00909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimaoD6MDt28vUIwGz3hKBMKjMjYcnmq_yInqsJY3JexmBaFfCgHpe7-Vph88GonitUjybiQOO4y-dFPa1aYSpM-tcKOiE1UJa-5f_c1_NZjA76_drnEpIxMkzmvkHOLMAfgrqaUg/s640/DSC00909.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCDBFFTgoIXNaVRImxxTUXZo7Y6ejnGq_RQYcKRjH-2ep2PoGxnS-tLEkq_n5lBAxZLekt4ZnUV8u0k_N5ydYwICZ70EMxgOamAkCYCWVq3E919gRzuB8A16vyZsdD-UQWUz884w/s1600/DSC00907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCDBFFTgoIXNaVRImxxTUXZo7Y6ejnGq_RQYcKRjH-2ep2PoGxnS-tLEkq_n5lBAxZLekt4ZnUV8u0k_N5ydYwICZ70EMxgOamAkCYCWVq3E919gRzuB8A16vyZsdD-UQWUz884w/s200/DSC00907.JPG" width="278" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrX34pchUSMBShR4qaZ-r2cLEhSe6USeQfDhWQ2vuILt_x7yxu51ymJa3KkiSq9ezMZUlcHHl_hp7kkfyu_ryNdul6fOtWxpkbNR4ZKpPHJTbPqHG5dKutQdsNi07CxzDa231RQ/s1600/DSC00904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrX34pchUSMBShR4qaZ-r2cLEhSe6USeQfDhWQ2vuILt_x7yxu51ymJa3KkiSq9ezMZUlcHHl_hp7kkfyu_ryNdul6fOtWxpkbNR4ZKpPHJTbPqHG5dKutQdsNi07CxzDa231RQ/s200/DSC00904.JPG" width="278" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
The next beach was on an expensive bay close to the condo jungle north of Kardamili. It was certainly the reason the town became a popular resort area, although it was a pebble, not a sandy beach.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixkZywAYDUJtEOKjfclQ8F8-1Po-7S2Opvfv129bq-YQyxqYEk80psAcb7oam4M5oCr7RwAr3zywjTI_qkKPXm_MfeBIm6JNcuDnSleQYp5up6mQrebk4JNvsOMMr95PIfndPbNA/s1600/DSC00931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixkZywAYDUJtEOKjfclQ8F8-1Po-7S2Opvfv129bq-YQyxqYEk80psAcb7oam4M5oCr7RwAr3zywjTI_qkKPXm_MfeBIm6JNcuDnSleQYp5up6mQrebk4JNvsOMMr95PIfndPbNA/s640/DSC00931.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyo_NNrZHXISOa0kH8YECZaijP5mdkobMKqNnwTm3loDVBuNP0HARQkNT3PdEyHTEG7XxiW9XE7WsjC4diKSepTNuVv-yom8CjJVgdRXH5ljFD-YpY4X0QSZ3uiFRSWu8AzTsR8w/s1600/DSC00937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyo_NNrZHXISOa0kH8YECZaijP5mdkobMKqNnwTm3loDVBuNP0HARQkNT3PdEyHTEG7XxiW9XE7WsjC4diKSepTNuVv-yom8CjJVgdRXH5ljFD-YpY4X0QSZ3uiFRSWu8AzTsR8w/s200/DSC00937.JPG" width="278" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir4kZ3Q5FtiXPgiN5ftYRuo6laT5Jt92RNNt4_8593ywPBhIPoqvs0u38-P9O-BHiCFkrPDCRWIoVBILd-v9m-XjcNMXrCAB8J_6s3poaMXy3CMIE6dXg9re5pZbU7YPQ3gjNMTw/s1600/DSC00874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir4kZ3Q5FtiXPgiN5ftYRuo6laT5Jt92RNNt4_8593ywPBhIPoqvs0u38-P9O-BHiCFkrPDCRWIoVBILd-v9m-XjcNMXrCAB8J_6s3poaMXy3CMIE6dXg9re5pZbU7YPQ3gjNMTw/s200/DSC00874.JPG" width="278" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Being here off season was a plus, because there were very few people around, but there were also few amenities. I had to wonder if stands for food and drink were set up during high season. The hotel near the end of the beach probably provided lounge chairs and umbrellas to its clients, but we didn't venture that far.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbEV1iZyc5taibF8VeqeYzITiBpeznvdwl7OYUN8yI6sVlMn4cyAREFrsQ4u73_fpgAbl-NoS9VhpxV9ZpX3x8jg1siqexnuow_sfLzJW0sZG2XE3Wt7ZKkf0IRuO0qxcdUB05Q/s1600/DSC00935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbEV1iZyc5taibF8VeqeYzITiBpeznvdwl7OYUN8yI6sVlMn4cyAREFrsQ4u73_fpgAbl-NoS9VhpxV9ZpX3x8jg1siqexnuow_sfLzJW0sZG2XE3Wt7ZKkf0IRuO0qxcdUB05Q/s640/DSC00935.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
All in all, even with a long drive to and from Athens, it was worth seeing.</div>
Vita d'Orohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12264556946744893084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28489671.post-8011844516012531472016-09-01T17:38:00.005-07:002016-09-08T12:30:49.957-07:00Magnum Force<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZszNmQMTNw87HIoadOrRNFAI5dowjaOKCp7AGsRSjMWgu7sczrWkmWeE4sWz5gN2EXfwAsNtBix2lsG-NxM7cRs1XfU2SN2lP8S5WvmYX8LpqfUS8g6g2uehqIDjGiMor_PZ7g/s1600/DSC05499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZszNmQMTNw87HIoadOrRNFAI5dowjaOKCp7AGsRSjMWgu7sczrWkmWeE4sWz5gN2EXfwAsNtBix2lsG-NxM7cRs1XfU2SN2lP8S5WvmYX8LpqfUS8g6g2uehqIDjGiMor_PZ7g/s640/DSC05499.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As with Magnum Force, the movie, Magnum Ice Cream is another force to be reckoned with, and once tried, you will not be forced to take a second bite. They can be found in food shops, markets, and <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">refrigerator cases</span> all over Western Europe<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">. If you can't find them at home, my travel tip is to try them during your <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">vacation</span>.</span></span> </span></div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IIhm4WALpbsi7bkjpdu1z_gonmrC1Vlsq-Ka1cUwQP27CuGdTMoD_ynCfI8nRO3OzF7LctxtwzeNkQywoAp_Nnt4Y8GISzJvpXvCn1pmCh38rQLy9zyjK2EX-y6flJRdHD2hog/s1600/DSC05498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IIhm4WALpbsi7bkjpdu1z_gonmrC1Vlsq-Ka1cUwQP27CuGdTMoD_ynCfI8nRO3OzF7LctxtwzeNkQywoAp_Nnt4Y8GISzJvpXvCn1pmCh38rQLy9zyjK2EX-y6flJRdHD2hog/s320/DSC05498.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With
all the ice cream shops and gelaterie in Europe, who could imagine
settling for an ice cream novelty product? All across Western Europe you
can find Magnum products and wouldn't consider it "settling" if you
bought one. They're delicious and are now giving Dove bars a run for
their money in the U.S. Perhaps that is why they seem smaller in size
here, to compete also in size with the Dove bar, so the comparison will
be inevitable between the two<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYdki0XZkE1XLt0zzxeN6WYzbcsrU8kKG8ZKrKPNStRM__PPqZdRHrDOHzrL7tgaX1hYAOVEgvYuKqmEOtqUlLNJskmuojH1krrO6ntC3EzNRKbTCqZH5frl1yUzD0vDurATtFw/s1600/DSC03011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYdki0XZkE1XLt0zzxeN6WYzbcsrU8kKG8ZKrKPNStRM__PPqZdRHrDOHzrL7tgaX1hYAOVEgvYuKqmEOtqUlLNJskmuojH1krrO6ntC3EzNRKbTCqZH5frl1yUzD0vDurATtFw/s320/DSC03011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The classic is the closest in comparison with the Dove bar, but the chocolate tastes richer and the vanilla ice cream itself compares well with Dove. The Almond also takes its cue from Dove's Milk chocolate and Almond bar. Which came first is a mystery to me.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFA1Kh9fwX6C2URofwOSlIJSFxmJ-hbjoHuu6VplALnbSwfu3oMuY3l2qARrRkIPZfUJvesuZMAPI4hfFjp9yQJF4O0e8q_1og0htGoJA2tnPejtfuYauH49FgAEer7GJ_pSl0yQ/s1600/DSC05500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFA1Kh9fwX6C2URofwOSlIJSFxmJ-hbjoHuu6VplALnbSwfu3oMuY3l2qARrRkIPZfUJvesuZMAPI4hfFjp9yQJF4O0e8q_1og0htGoJA2tnPejtfuYauH49FgAEer7GJ_pSl0yQ/s640/DSC05500.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">T</span>he
superiority of the Magnum seems obvious with the Double Chocolate or
Double Caramel bars, with their <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">d<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">uel</span> l</span>ayers of hardened chocolate encasing
the soft chocolate, caramel filling or the buttery, caramel filling.</span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCM8KVPxdOWWTnNkZqUSKqqTSuh6Rba4-QpjSK9fZpZpxd20VhuJEGSeLekyIPQMP25uLiDtfQp2T_Vu_aYUQbVxNGEk_GTHa7RXRNh0m0LlFLFq2xZSV3-s9N-bBdaOcTYY5Hug/s1600/DSC09081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="513" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCM8KVPxdOWWTnNkZqUSKqqTSuh6Rba4-QpjSK9fZpZpxd20VhuJEGSeLekyIPQMP25uLiDtfQp2T_Vu_aYUQbVxNGEk_GTHa7RXRNh0m0LlFLFq2xZSV3-s9N-bBdaOcTYY5Hug/s640/DSC09081.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSNhJEbdzuu2c7gvFkfotMztw9I18N74V6q-HQnFUKJKfJQpiZ7XqQATFI8AaLhzkL-jwsoQ9nex6i7rmELqzQve5DP53NlLqToo245dBNZ4_XwGebZx3VxjWRymr7TBaMzgSeg/s1600/DSC09084-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSNhJEbdzuu2c7gvFkfotMztw9I18N74V6q-HQnFUKJKfJQpiZ7XqQATFI8AaLhzkL-jwsoQ9nex6i7rmELqzQve5DP53NlLqToo245dBNZ4_XwGebZx3VxjWRymr7TBaMzgSeg/s640/DSC09084-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NrnMrSEqTX09XsW5NtB1KZvzcMXaGGdGuchuV7XBD05JFRneFi3BMu9pmyBA9NUG2b7iYPTVLRDQ9hY5YDGBuj2gqLyDAY0YdxQ6Rx4GbzLkIP57B1afc-b4wvxI_2lUrvOZ6g/s1600/DSC00627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NrnMrSEqTX09XsW5NtB1KZvzcMXaGGdGuchuV7XBD05JFRneFi3BMu9pmyBA9NUG2b7iYPTVLRDQ9hY5YDGBuj2gqLyDAY0YdxQ6Rx4GbzLkIP57B1afc-b4wvxI_2lUrvOZ6g/s200/DSC00627.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5KFHpKImQFeFzMeYEJOP79na7cB023dG46a2CzRdJRaxR1asDVqcH4A34BJAERi0MhFkCjhz3XEopAD1EC6o07nZOqsJ3gv-OJq4w18AigCzdL0PC1jyNsuL7op9gsM48RAu0A/s1600/DSC00628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5KFHpKImQFeFzMeYEJOP79na7cB023dG46a2CzRdJRaxR1asDVqcH4A34BJAERi0MhFkCjhz3XEopAD1EC6o07nZOqsJ3gv-OJq4w18AigCzdL0PC1jyNsuL7op9gsM48RAu0A/s200/DSC00628.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Magnum line is extensive in Europe, but imports to the U.S. have not kept pace.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzsYGqMyseHbNWrXNjrfudNBzSnSoFdIoWSBP_viwJYxH9Bmc8Bw2lHYUDJ1gteeEpDspTU2WHQuZcISTZsWS6QVrzSJuiQJLJSVkdVmeyod2ImGtWukoMnmd8u3-ZzFIP18o2Wg/s1600/DSC00631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzsYGqMyseHbNWrXNjrfudNBzSnSoFdIoWSBP_viwJYxH9Bmc8Bw2lHYUDJ1gteeEpDspTU2WHQuZcISTZsWS6QVrzSJuiQJLJSVkdVmeyod2ImGtWukoMnmd8u3-ZzFIP18o2Wg/s200/DSC00631.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJUjxxGDUnpvw1TNHlcNGUf0oMgAMWyOl8pi8u9HWFxUaYwWGc1NUl4ihqfJsnlVqW-iCkAprJqgF6XwSafP95zR8AiJc1ItEnL08XuEiGjlS09YPkHG4k1uu77X-_AaKYIcYKg/s1600/DSC02759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJUjxxGDUnpvw1TNHlcNGUf0oMgAMWyOl8pi8u9HWFxUaYwWGc1NUl4ihqfJsnlVqW-iCkAprJqgF6XwSafP95zR8AiJc1ItEnL08XuEiGjlS09YPkHG4k1uu77X-_AaKYIcYKg/s200/DSC02759.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A pale pink chocolate shell surrounds the raspberry and vanilla swirl ice cream <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">on the Pink</span> bar<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">, while the Gold Bar is swirled with caramel.</span> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeIZVGeeps1lTANociVF2bXCxAASCAw70AcBp0DINRsej7HnQZXRasuK68a1Gz6AUu53jTrYilT6He_J66s5O087owVo5xMOvc9Bk3XnMKjX_aP8FrwKyu9f8huMlyM0ZkuY6Liw/s1600/DSC02756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeIZVGeeps1lTANociVF2bXCxAASCAw70AcBp0DINRsej7HnQZXRasuK68a1Gz6AUu53jTrYilT6He_J66s5O087owVo5xMOvc9Bk3XnMKjX_aP8FrwKyu9f8huMlyM0ZkuY6Liw/s400/DSC02756.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Gold is covered by a thin, buttery looking, white chocolate shell. Besides the rich tasting vanilla ice cream with a caramel swirl, the Gold bar<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> also has</span> a layer of dark chocolate on the inside of <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">its </span>shell. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The taste of both bars is enhanced by the interior, dark chocolate layer.</span> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPez5fQkXnB73hOnm67jzxNHNitHe78VESlWTpVS6ijICjG8-_ATi4z90DXpEu-k9NG2j1N5RgaHvh6F5D22ItDRW6GfhRPa5TVwjbBeg3yid4pVM5sjRdI4ewLHBmHBWkE4vVQ/s1600/DSC09729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPez5fQkXnB73hOnm67jzxNHNitHe78VESlWTpVS6ijICjG8-_ATi4z90DXpEu-k9NG2j1N5RgaHvh6F5D22ItDRW6GfhRPa5TVwjbBeg3yid4pVM5sjRdI4ewLHBmHBWkE4vVQ/s1600/DSC09729.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The White is pretty much just that, white. Plain vanilla at its very best.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9tCdMvekliS6RH9zycFkCjpNDVJ4C1BNjt5WPvYFKb7rbO3i0luQUDBPB9cj1SbJT5f6f5_0We_7aPrFyc7pOqaz2aiQ4YPvrm5kqwrF3AHTc9pPcrSbMYBxaQM5LLcjsiMTYw/s1600/DSC09404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq9tCdMvekliS6RH9zycFkCjpNDVJ4C1BNjt5WPvYFKb7rbO3i0luQUDBPB9cj1SbJT5f6f5_0We_7aPrFyc7pOqaz2aiQ4YPvrm5kqwrF3AHTc9pPcrSbMYBxaQM5LLcjsiMTYw/s400/DSC09404.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Pistacchio helps round out the line in terms of ice cream flavors, but, sorry to say, this is not their best product. It is hard to top an artisan made pistacchio gelato, and the nuts don't improve the concept of this particular bar. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLCLbFd_fNcXK7kDwWw2WBdEwS60dqBcYLcfXg6QqC5qwMyfB2o6UdSG-3-sW5mVRG2H1WSZQy9k2qMRnTj3YYuVZhrWEXnw-yJBqEkmsano6HV7Ds2jPIREGrBRmKcdv7lGa5A/s1600/DSC04176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLCLbFd_fNcXK7kDwWw2WBdEwS60dqBcYLcfXg6QqC5qwMyfB2o6UdSG-3-sW5mVRG2H1WSZQy9k2qMRnTj3YYuVZhrWEXnw-yJBqEkmsano6HV7Ds2jPIREGrBRmKcdv7lGa5A/s640/DSC04176.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For the last item in this post, you see before you the Magnum Sandwich, a not quite clear on the concept, ice cream novelty. Sure, the Almond Magnums are good, but they do not belong piggy backed onto an ice cream sandwich like an odd appendage. San Francisco's native ice cream sandwich, the It's-It made it better decades ago, by simply covering the entire sandwich with chocolate. This version makes the sandwich half look like a mechanism for holding an Almond Magnum that had lost its stick. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Vita d'Orohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12264556946744893084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28489671.post-63102736489920132082016-05-26T14:30:00.000-07:002016-09-06T13:46:15.884-07:00The New Testaccio Market<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9aOCBjmu62pOV3zBCNM0ZW0Cu-pDgHu0VO7gS_iukMNTiZw0nOTvEQgtdgewZclV84K6IHINLymi3cDumf8vhgkoDc7Oo01uZ6Iig3TQqSD0aQmSYCsp3MOQv-T9hpByFamjpA/s1600/06-DSC04171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9aOCBjmu62pOV3zBCNM0ZW0Cu-pDgHu0VO7gS_iukMNTiZw0nOTvEQgtdgewZclV84K6IHINLymi3cDumf8vhgkoDc7Oo01uZ6Iig3TQqSD0aQmSYCsp3MOQv-T9hpByFamjpA/s640/06-DSC04171.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1FJk4JikvhRbOHhckLuDP4M4UeeVrzPJ6eSeoKf0USBSUIOach2ZEBTgcpqNZQeM7e9i-3Id8o1aanudnwMBdY1uRCAX7yF6ztTenoaDZ8O5dGKA1qXOIdn_lcQPdDTa2HcM1w/s1600/DSC09030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1FJk4JikvhRbOHhckLuDP4M4UeeVrzPJ6eSeoKf0USBSUIOach2ZEBTgcpqNZQeM7e9i-3Id8o1aanudnwMBdY1uRCAX7yF6ztTenoaDZ8O5dGKA1qXOIdn_lcQPdDTa2HcM1w/s640/DSC09030.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's been at least 4 years since the residents of Testaccio in Rome have had their daily market moved to an indoor venue 6 blocks from its former location on Via Luca della Robbia. For many years the <a href="https://www.wellfedtravel.blogspot.com/2011/07/mercato-testaccio.html" target="_blank">old outdoor market</a> suffered during inclement weather for lack of customers and discomfort for the vendors. The new building changes all that and even offers underground parking. Although this market has long hosted residents from all over the city, it is now easier for non locals to shop there. I'm pleased to be part of that group.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2amZaQaFlDpzYoQ9QBOVWu17nuwzPIV6A7N_MxqxaE664lBOYmOqAlIQAD4Ned7lIurz_odG4QuBgXPRGv9atcHWKIv4OWsT4U4FCqd6dJuEVFlUv6kfle2JxDf5AU9wbHQRK3Q/s1600/31-DSC04199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2amZaQaFlDpzYoQ9QBOVWu17nuwzPIV6A7N_MxqxaE664lBOYmOqAlIQAD4Ned7lIurz_odG4QuBgXPRGv9atcHWKIv4OWsT4U4FCqd6dJuEVFlUv6kfle2JxDf5AU9wbHQRK3Q/s320/31-DSC04199.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The primary purpose of the mercato
is to supply fresh poultry, fish, pork, beef, cold cuts and produce to the neighborhood. The poultry can be quite varied as seen in this photo.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcR0wOyaNEngq9Jw8abELHqTCHIoIAxRfOiWO37fW0JEIIRupA07vSzLVHpXDbJO1TNePiSEU0YFBij_6FAPdb8BHa-qu3KJLWOWO3KTcPqQVSP9DNv4Lhye6BeinZ5wT8VXpzPw/s1600/08-DSC04173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcR0wOyaNEngq9Jw8abELHqTCHIoIAxRfOiWO37fW0JEIIRupA07vSzLVHpXDbJO1TNePiSEU0YFBij_6FAPdb8BHa-qu3KJLWOWO3KTcPqQVSP9DNv4Lhye6BeinZ5wT8VXpzPw/s320/08-DSC04173.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now that the stalls have a roof over them, vendors are upgrading methods of keeping their products in better condition. For example, the fish monger can keep flies off his seafood by covering it with parchment paper that will not blow away in the wind. </span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxha9DhtnKvFqXbv63YqXv_3v7dHistW4xmGEOqcXQYJPI2Qh_LTaT_M2ACVOOuzyCnVooroNb9CjDRbnBcRuTNO2qqJub5i12UwfuZG_1pWcAoU_5GhKiOMPk5ujP9A9BLIaJg/s1600/26-DSC04193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxha9DhtnKvFqXbv63YqXv_3v7dHistW4xmGEOqcXQYJPI2Qh_LTaT_M2ACVOOuzyCnVooroNb9CjDRbnBcRuTNO2qqJub5i12UwfuZG_1pWcAoU_5GhKiOMPk5ujP9A9BLIaJg/s320/26-DSC04193.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Most of the meats are now in permanent, refrigerated cases that keep them at optimum temperatures. This provides not only for preserving freshness, but eliminates any worry one might have about contamination from insects and bacteria. That's a big improvement.</span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4zD2QrZSAVNV0du0vTpJyH0gDkGDxoBwWm56KJKWdVFVVKzRTwWXLofcILmthyphenhyphenPtFJhxuXEwt42s-EukvPj_lrNru7IigCr4cheiuWhcMed0Bf7Ic8ia63eBn1AqEjIWJ5rNGqw/s1600/27-DSC04194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4zD2QrZSAVNV0du0vTpJyH0gDkGDxoBwWm56KJKWdVFVVKzRTwWXLofcILmthyphenhyphenPtFJhxuXEwt42s-EukvPj_lrNru7IigCr4cheiuWhcMed0Bf7Ic8ia63eBn1AqEjIWJ5rNGqw/s320/27-DSC04194.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When renting apartments in Italy, I have occasionally cooked more than breakfast. This rib roast caught my eye, but the fantasy of a full dinner diminished as I imagined trying to clean an oven. If I was convinced it was Chianina beef, the fantasy may live on, but I'm not certain that it's sold outside of Tuscany.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKklb5PKO1gZP43JJJCDbrs0ZQqB3P9edGHd9vq6AStSBRzOKpD8CXwuE6d-yDTB4Nppau8rpqHDkHUCUqYpjB1eKWroyAme8UlkUtJ3A5pWVqvLKiKS7OHa1UQ5d9K4kvPp3iFw/s1600/55-DSC04223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKklb5PKO1gZP43JJJCDbrs0ZQqB3P9edGHd9vq6AStSBRzOKpD8CXwuE6d-yDTB4Nppau8rpqHDkHUCUqYpjB1eKWroyAme8UlkUtJ3A5pWVqvLKiKS7OHa1UQ5d9K4kvPp3iFw/s320/55-DSC04223.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Rome, like most of Italy, is pork centric, so you see it in many forms while you stroll through the mercato.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In this photo, there appear to be a combination of pancetta, the Italian, non smoked bacon; ham, and guanciale. The round, fatty piece is guanciale, the cured pig jowl that is traditionally used in a traditional Carbonara recipe.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiix9z0Me04bI3yP2QvjtY7aKHFzwByHdHd6CVL_w1kUbkaFf0to4PafjNAyQeCd8bYd4eLhKgjhJeg80BvjQKoTKNmzun5kDnkeDeN4nSZ_zTx23jfVuyxU8ga6MZodDwPvg5d4Q/s1600/41-DSC04209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiix9z0Me04bI3yP2QvjtY7aKHFzwByHdHd6CVL_w1kUbkaFf0to4PafjNAyQeCd8bYd4eLhKgjhJeg80BvjQKoTKNmzun5kDnkeDeN4nSZ_zTx23jfVuyxU8ga6MZodDwPvg5d4Q/s320/41-DSC04209.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Fruits and vegetables abound in the market and are interspersed with many of the other items sold there. It would be easier to shop if all products of a like kind were in the same area.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuHklsOAFM9AtsaA-5H-gERO17iiIFyX21g-tOh2jGRCvHNvuHrVJEPpc4Shb1oVdAQ00f4r8r6Mz82hVN8T7ok478M3Id73wym92nzY_0aeaeM4jaNis4BwYlYA2QxN5ggGKqg/s1600/DSC09035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuHklsOAFM9AtsaA-5H-gERO17iiIFyX21g-tOh2jGRCvHNvuHrVJEPpc4Shb1oVdAQ00f4r8r6Mz82hVN8T7ok478M3Id73wym92nzY_0aeaeM4jaNis4BwYlYA2QxN5ggGKqg/s320/DSC09035.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As things stand, there is a loose affiliation between food groups along with prepared foods. But you are bound to find exceptions with general merchandise in the mix.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRA5yh6fY2EBCdjwyDlfxHuXo2dzotVcEMlqXE7YDekC97nBaQdenLu6iMIgDHw5CHGr0UksualwedU-E8tDoz9k0hfntPMwKCVRjFUry4FKUpZWoNevOx4hYAfQfDUGka2BKGLg/s1600/37-DSC04205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRA5yh6fY2EBCdjwyDlfxHuXo2dzotVcEMlqXE7YDekC97nBaQdenLu6iMIgDHw5CHGr0UksualwedU-E8tDoz9k0hfntPMwKCVRjFUry4FKUpZWoNevOx4hYAfQfDUGka2BKGLg/s200/37-DSC04205.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_AlK5ZNwGevgOaxy76ms6cF4zvVgxaGvEKav669rBS-ccxmoBrLvd1zPYLrPWtG8mg5Zioazkex9bQ4E6QOqggfhvn15-Yhc4FmXsIoKh3VMLgYUFRCQBj5-tOPglFDRDGJZ9w/s1600/39-DSC04207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_AlK5ZNwGevgOaxy76ms6cF4zvVgxaGvEKav669rBS-ccxmoBrLvd1zPYLrPWtG8mg5Zioazkex9bQ4E6QOqggfhvn15-Yhc4FmXsIoKh3VMLgYUFRCQBj5-tOPglFDRDGJZ9w/s200/39-DSC04207.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Prepared foods are
putting in a strong showing too.
Today I saw a white Veal Ragu that looked every bit as good as those
I've seen in restaurants. It was so entrancing, I failed to take a
photo. </span> </div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Prepared, although not precooked, the polpette (meatballs) in these photos are at the very least a convenience food in Italy. Those below are actually cooked and ready to heat and serve.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnovahO0AMX03Y76fPas3Mgg_LX1dgH0CvpgUV_EZrrVwrDmWmykCRrf3tnnr3TeCEu_jp_JFczV60YYhYshNaLtm6ggofjTrbJZu10jwC21NlGQTGTqzYArIHJDVhHlLOrxSa5Q/s1600/40-DSC04208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnovahO0AMX03Y76fPas3Mgg_LX1dgH0CvpgUV_EZrrVwrDmWmykCRrf3tnnr3TeCEu_jp_JFczV60YYhYshNaLtm6ggofjTrbJZu10jwC21NlGQTGTqzYArIHJDVhHlLOrxSa5Q/s400/40-DSC04208.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Plenty of vendors are prepared to part with baked goods including pastries, biscotti, rolls, breads and the ever favorite, here in Rome, Pizza Bianca, the Roman answer to focaccia. Even better, are the pizze with various toppings.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2gh34yUPEa8yWiZWjYZbpMMFZ5ja74Z-XCyLgd6xy2hn7ikmvr0iAjP-2vz6b7A7S0TO6GgyKOtmeSYo_5x54C1_Bt5xyAR90SIZouGUnsunmG1gqgJcxP7RcyaZWp_ycaLyB8Q/s1600/DSC09038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2gh34yUPEa8yWiZWjYZbpMMFZ5ja74Z-XCyLgd6xy2hn7ikmvr0iAjP-2vz6b7A7S0TO6GgyKOtmeSYo_5x54C1_Bt5xyAR90SIZouGUnsunmG1gqgJcxP7RcyaZWp_ycaLyB8Q/s640/DSC09038.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDxWsVuw9N70u-M843AuDkllHG_Z8RG_ISL6RLrPoP-l9H6yhkKKm20j8atwtEzlrKj5DrIdBknAZKRkTkDsyXEqH-WHZHHqyLyZM_S4lgu2HTS_a7aQOVvdmzvDQyCgNEHhgyQ/s1600/DSC09043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDxWsVuw9N70u-M843AuDkllHG_Z8RG_ISL6RLrPoP-l9H6yhkKKm20j8atwtEzlrKj5DrIdBknAZKRkTkDsyXEqH-WHZHHqyLyZM_S4lgu2HTS_a7aQOVvdmzvDQyCgNEHhgyQ/s640/DSC09043.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSk5Kywnmqp_QxaiQQlPF79VXjY8mAWuP8kSFX3UW7COX2g2gHA1VVC8jEE73pV0sGLzj1BtGP-Q9DXPQeuuq0gnZFTtYsNZKM5SHJNT9w_HAuQ4h7i0SyZyiYd-FPtTiyh3C66w/s1600/DSC09042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSk5Kywnmqp_QxaiQQlPF79VXjY8mAWuP8kSFX3UW7COX2g2gHA1VVC8jEE73pV0sGLzj1BtGP-Q9DXPQeuuq0gnZFTtYsNZKM5SHJNT9w_HAuQ4h7i0SyZyiYd-FPtTiyh3C66w/s640/DSC09042.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I highly recommend that anyone who has never tried a squash blossom nor a porcini mushroom "bianca" style pizza (without tomato sauce) give it a try here. They're two of my favorites, even though I still like the zucchini, as well as the potato and rosemary versions.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKM6BiCEw4Rz3A0LKo12MHnYPPl-5zmP4WDDkI44s0DxTUhuKsomaGmBAoDmBfs7GZbRtYp5IGRObuHbmhSy0lWKr_1HCkzk5-QuQBBmB7zY-C07sTPa6gha0x-1aADcq0GYkRaQ/s1600/DSC05226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKM6BiCEw4Rz3A0LKo12MHnYPPl-5zmP4WDDkI44s0DxTUhuKsomaGmBAoDmBfs7GZbRtYp5IGRObuHbmhSy0lWKr_1HCkzk5-QuQBBmB7zY-C07sTPa6gha0x-1aADcq0GYkRaQ/s400/DSC05226.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The typical pizza bianca, as well as the other pizze, may appear to have a cracker like exterior, but there's a factor of chewiness inside that raises them to another level. Pizza Bianca with its drizzled olive oil surface is delicious on its own, but even better when paired with any of the cold cuts and cheese sold at the mercato.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoEZK2OJ_htu0i2Ek7ASspvCPaKT6zu6zDDVJzVN0oLdIFA-HOv5vDcOjn12XZ1usXQ4fLcArhddd0uPnn6fqq3ZI3wNcoZLPiqHSAmGX-oycufWiIQaB_ERTw9Vh_G3GL20XV3g/s1600/DSC03630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoEZK2OJ_htu0i2Ek7ASspvCPaKT6zu6zDDVJzVN0oLdIFA-HOv5vDcOjn12XZ1usXQ4fLcArhddd0uPnn6fqq3ZI3wNcoZLPiqHSAmGX-oycufWiIQaB_ERTw9Vh_G3GL20XV3g/s400/DSC03630.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Gourmet shops selling these types of panini abound in Testaccio. So buy your own ingredients at the market or let someone else make one for you, but don't miss trying some.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLjgouQt9ybEnC-hAnDw-DPMQ_zl415U4XBoPVyyNB-pwu00BUfFm8qB7d3SzecxN7tNVi_y6s3EURbct50NJWGvowPsP7nirE0wehsxtU5In3YiFna8imD5KtXSi8QXQVWwGU2A/s1600/61-DSC04230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLjgouQt9ybEnC-hAnDw-DPMQ_zl415U4XBoPVyyNB-pwu00BUfFm8qB7d3SzecxN7tNVi_y6s3EURbct50NJWGvowPsP7nirE0wehsxtU5In3YiFna8imD5KtXSi8QXQVWwGU2A/s200/61-DSC04230.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIalD5oGvsHiVqqr3aqMBwfjYy94yZe8-AgYbuHS-gaA54WlqNUhwO075xuncCGdcVzAFrrRbGosCeZncAM-O6eiPZ_5hZBx6LMyArwDIxjB1gO1_WrLH4q1tqcCkXY32-mDPz8w/s1600/49-DSC04217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIalD5oGvsHiVqqr3aqMBwfjYy94yZe8-AgYbuHS-gaA54WlqNUhwO075xuncCGdcVzAFrrRbGosCeZncAM-O6eiPZ_5hZBx6LMyArwDIxjB1gO1_WrLH4q1tqcCkXY32-mDPz8w/s200/49-DSC04217.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mercado Testaccio is also
home to many shops selling clothing, shoes and handbags. Some are
vintage, others sell only accessories, jewelry or leather goods. All
live happily under one roof. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTGXxbBHyqvXgxbEqhq_gG6v8fhmpCwTSG3lSrI7NxUWutCMsuVb86tWrL0WbGEyHNrwBWTcRotC524WSqBDYbsfESAnSlAt5BaXZFfF2DigjMY8CSXSHOsNfQmORdLuSR5bVAw/s1600/50-DSC04218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTGXxbBHyqvXgxbEqhq_gG6v8fhmpCwTSG3lSrI7NxUWutCMsuVb86tWrL0WbGEyHNrwBWTcRotC524WSqBDYbsfESAnSlAt5BaXZFfF2DigjMY8CSXSHOsNfQmORdLuSR5bVAw/s640/50-DSC04218.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIuV2CsiXnXblqQfeikm_Nt7RYp7_Qh5T_WuAhMfLDdAzdB4X6zTMIy3MboTTa8UHCB5yTayN8VDSgMvHC6gwfh4CTGohGZ6YOS040_1zBFBToSV1P1tRqRiew43vVvFgrPUarQ/s1600/47-DSC04215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIuV2CsiXnXblqQfeikm_Nt7RYp7_Qh5T_WuAhMfLDdAzdB4X6zTMIy3MboTTa8UHCB5yTayN8VDSgMvHC6gwfh4CTGohGZ6YOS040_1zBFBToSV1P1tRqRiew43vVvFgrPUarQ/s400/47-DSC04215.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On my most recent trip, I discovered Bee Joux, a shop selling women's accessories, including Italian leather purses and French jewelry. Even though I try to buy locally made products, the jewelry was too tempting, so I succumbed and bought a set, deluding myself into thinking it was still okay, since I had been to France on the same trip.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The tables with clothing piled high on top, with a bargain basement appeal, attract many customers, no doubt hoping to find an under priced treasure, but I couldn't bring myself to memorialize them with a photo.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48KcXY03byh1H5SYs5Pq0tEMKWGCDul_v9IBXq3XZuuPDkA5JRfiUnrcmYtqzSRXCmZeAHbTN4gAhr5RLRtKpVDeRP2kA1IW9XrGQNVL7s8_sCqDoD7r0g8K6x6dlOEFU-R_T8Q/s1600/44-DSC04212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48KcXY03byh1H5SYs5Pq0tEMKWGCDul_v9IBXq3XZuuPDkA5JRfiUnrcmYtqzSRXCmZeAHbTN4gAhr5RLRtKpVDeRP2kA1IW9XrGQNVL7s8_sCqDoD7r0g8K6x6dlOEFU-R_T8Q/s640/44-DSC04212.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If American vintners are willing to sell wine in boxes, how can I criticize Italian wine served up in plastic bottles? Whether bringing their own bottles, or purchasing a plastic bottle at the wine shop, Italians can satisfy their love of wine locally by paying for it by the liter. Casks of wine from all over Italy can be found at wine shops in Rome.</span></div>
Vita d'Orohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12264556946744893084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28489671.post-61777086224981384922015-11-03T12:42:00.000-08:002016-09-08T14:14:29.891-07:00The Meatloaf Trilogy<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYz0bPrzksB0fm0P4BesgaGmqDjpQZ0kmoE7LB5V1mPT6gN1kPS7awUbwib8s-FvewEy0JySPXKRWPoX4KY_NCdaGmKXeLFI9XHZGcVwCuPiGxMoPfMynEuikO868L-jPyMQkYA/s1600/16-DSC03228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYz0bPrzksB0fm0P4BesgaGmqDjpQZ0kmoE7LB5V1mPT6gN1kPS7awUbwib8s-FvewEy0JySPXKRWPoX4KY_NCdaGmKXeLFI9XHZGcVwCuPiGxMoPfMynEuikO868L-jPyMQkYA/s640/16-DSC03228.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1oZVKwJNebZtqM51P_pUxX0TMX_6T_C_e0mdXvMI3tJDOSsHZhN7MAs5za4f2zqcUipJ1PvN9NP3XEWPwoArE5IW9mp9zhzc3WiAp_K10wpIsbTr1lGjCzm7xcLW2OvdKcvgBA/s1600/14-DSC03226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1oZVKwJNebZtqM51P_pUxX0TMX_6T_C_e0mdXvMI3tJDOSsHZhN7MAs5za4f2zqcUipJ1PvN9NP3XEWPwoArE5IW9mp9zhzc3WiAp_K10wpIsbTr1lGjCzm7xcLW2OvdKcvgBA/s640/14-DSC03226.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Before you start getting warm and fuzzy over the idea of your grandmother's and mother's meatloaf recipes, or three generations or more worth of comfort food, lovingly presented to your family, let me stop you. We are <b>not</b> talking about the American staple made of ground beef. We are wandering into the realm of familiar words used in a foreign country to describe something very different from your normal frame of reference.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5i8P6yQ7Q6h0nBIotj6y-AV2i-3p97R3NhGJMLmQUtAJ5_8Oqx6AfMuEb9yyu6A-FXYXJPHCV5NdSAAkpp0IU3zXhH_ma-qpQXIQFNNx5CWsn6QbazQmUaDMCxEKJ_AVoWNIVw/s1600/13-DSC03225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5i8P6yQ7Q6h0nBIotj6y-AV2i-3p97R3NhGJMLmQUtAJ5_8Oqx6AfMuEb9yyu6A-FXYXJPHCV5NdSAAkpp0IU3zXhH_ma-qpQXIQFNNx5CWsn6QbazQmUaDMCxEKJ_AVoWNIVw/s640/13-DSC03225.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The item I ordered from the menu, at a small family run delicatessen, that incidentally was owned and operated by three generations of butchers in the Austrian city of Melk, were technically loaf shaped, and made of meat, but entirely different. To their credit, I think the younger members of the family knew the joke was on English speakers and were most likely the translators of the German menu into English, since they seemed fluent when speaking it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi19Llz7A8BxrKw4S2szXyu22MeW34K2sXnDO9T4gtR9v6XvCdDKmm2nAX9PZLlyy_ta8U6fPc0a9hxJN2tztWdUhH2LRllwt3Uaam7MAkJywB0qiQ_roXKkGJaH3KpwhcdjK4N-A/s1600/05-DSC03217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi19Llz7A8BxrKw4S2szXyu22MeW34K2sXnDO9T4gtR9v6XvCdDKmm2nAX9PZLlyy_ta8U6fPc0a9hxJN2tztWdUhH2LRllwt3Uaam7MAkJywB0qiQ_roXKkGJaH3KpwhcdjK4N-A/s640/05-DSC03217.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I can't say I was completely surprised when the "Meatloaf Trilogy" arrived at the table, because I had seen variations of these loaves all over Austria, and had been tempted to try one. More like Mortadella or its American counterpart, baloney, these were meat products obviously made from pork and pork fat. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFgDdFc2kSR-VXmktyujsfWQD95qKc_IS-pD7NMTUsVpsOdaP-i5v1ozkEoqjvyBDR8FYrL6Y9BPNh2qFfPmwSm7NyMtBQ78DAvoqXsXTTSmg4iBFeVp05p-a47Mm2aQminRCoBg/s1600/04-DSC03216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFgDdFc2kSR-VXmktyujsfWQD95qKc_IS-pD7NMTUsVpsOdaP-i5v1ozkEoqjvyBDR8FYrL6Y9BPNh2qFfPmwSm7NyMtBQ78DAvoqXsXTTSmg4iBFeVp05p-a47Mm2aQminRCoBg/s640/04-DSC03216.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The loaf I had noticed most often was spotted not with fat, but with cheese. What surprised me the most was that they had been cooked. These could easily have been thinly sliced in their cold state for a sandwich. This cold cut was very good served hot. The selection was a loaf made with either cheese or pickle and pimento, or just plain. Served simply with some mustard and potato salad, the meal was both filling and tasty.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigt5EJ0mnTqbwPcVFJda7IScEpOSIQ0WnLtrUcHA4G_Eb_gaTfw2PILD4puWDkbTURfxYikNeLvMLcBmPCdfdkJexQM5KKCOuNxDJhgr1u2ocNMa_z-0NmqOFBFJqlwpqvHqkh6w/s1600/10-DSC03222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigt5EJ0mnTqbwPcVFJda7IScEpOSIQ0WnLtrUcHA4G_Eb_gaTfw2PILD4puWDkbTURfxYikNeLvMLcBmPCdfdkJexQM5KKCOuNxDJhgr1u2ocNMa_z-0NmqOFBFJqlwpqvHqkh6w/s1600/10-DSC03222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigt5EJ0mnTqbwPcVFJda7IScEpOSIQ0WnLtrUcHA4G_Eb_gaTfw2PILD4puWDkbTURfxYikNeLvMLcBmPCdfdkJexQM5KKCOuNxDJhgr1u2ocNMa_z-0NmqOFBFJqlwpqvHqkh6w/s400/10-DSC03222.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As long as we're already here, let's discuss the Josef Sdraule Restaurant on the same premises as their butcher shop. The space was old world to the core and charming with walls lined in wood paneling, antique light fixtures, and a menu that didn't break the bank. In fact the most expensive item was Fried Chicken for 9.5 euro. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HZ_t5T_YjE3CJVVVMTqHWqtdITYiwgmsg4M3ycNdADU5Hk4rveXs6ovpgFzuKEZIJYSJVMjo_o97gnFOPJVOMVBctH1w8Whw5e3SEpHgysnEJptppqzsTCzNeguRWOJNl-5iMw/s1600/01-DSC03213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Qub-iqTmQWuN_SleCEvrfXS1yIWieN673hTa3jdCKdOVS7o5IydxE4kgwnyFJO_caGg5BDsZ37R_Swq4xGybptf5s2ELfprCDAFFU6ncd__x9SLuvNXAz893LDgfspNvV_Naaw/s1600/11-DSC03223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Qub-iqTmQWuN_SleCEvrfXS1yIWieN673hTa3jdCKdOVS7o5IydxE4kgwnyFJO_caGg5BDsZ37R_Swq4xGybptf5s2ELfprCDAFFU6ncd__x9SLuvNXAz893LDgfspNvV_Naaw/s200/11-DSC03223.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HZ_t5T_YjE3CJVVVMTqHWqtdITYiwgmsg4M3ycNdADU5Hk4rveXs6ovpgFzuKEZIJYSJVMjo_o97gnFOPJVOMVBctH1w8Whw5e3SEpHgysnEJptppqzsTCzNeguRWOJNl-5iMw/s1600/01-DSC03213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HZ_t5T_YjE3CJVVVMTqHWqtdITYiwgmsg4M3ycNdADU5Hk4rveXs6ovpgFzuKEZIJYSJVMjo_o97gnFOPJVOMVBctH1w8Whw5e3SEpHgysnEJptppqzsTCzNeguRWOJNl-5iMw/s200/01-DSC03213.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The warmth, as well as the charm, of this family run restaurant, continued with the old stove that kept the room cozy on a seriously cold afternoon. Beer helped to lift </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">the spirits. </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_W0hnlw0gbsB4WFpZ_KEI1bZanxtP1NDVxDCzRewZRxLCL7OK8p2AjdgqtVI0tz7uDeOlLGMqDP14IxvlIGxrPTT6zEqdtEr_zqCeRz9ru-G1FuLGsCSV4OU56BWi9A4kTT6TrQ/s1600/06-DSC03218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_W0hnlw0gbsB4WFpZ_KEI1bZanxtP1NDVxDCzRewZRxLCL7OK8p2AjdgqtVI0tz7uDeOlLGMqDP14IxvlIGxrPTT6zEqdtEr_zqCeRz9ru-G1FuLGsCSV4OU56BWi9A4kTT6TrQ/s640/06-DSC03218.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Oh, about that chicken dinner; it was pretty filling for under 10 euro. And the Meatloaf Trilogy at 6.9 euro was a steal.</span><br />
<br />
<div id="stcpDiv" style="left: -1988px; position: absolute; top: -1999px;">
<div class="info">
<div class="label">
Address</div>
<div class="text location">
Hauptstraße 2, 3390, <a href="http://www.austriayp.com/location/Melk" title="Companies in Melk">Melk</a>, Austria</div>
</div>
<div class="info">
<div class="label">
Phone</div>
<div class="text">
+43 2752 52447</div>
</div>
- See more at: http://www.austriayp.com/company/43497/Sdraule_Josef#sthash.JgAIqHas.dpuf</div>
<div id="stcpDiv" style="left: -1988px; position: absolute; top: -1999px;">
<div class="info">
<div class="label">
Address</div>
<div class="text location">
Hauptstraße 2, 3390, <a href="http://www.austriayp.com/location/Melk" title="Companies in Melk">Melk</a>, Austria</div>
</div>
<div class="info">
<div class="label">
Phone</div>
<div class="text">
+43 2752 52447</div>
</div>
- See more at: http://www.austriayp.com/company/43497/Sdraule_Josef#sthash.JgAIqHas.dpuf</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Address: Hauptstrabe 2</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">3390, Melk, Austria</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Phone: +43 2752 52447</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span><br />
<h4>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.sdraule.at/" target="_blank">Josef Sdraule Website</a> </span></span></h4>
</div>
Vita d'Orohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12264556946744893084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28489671.post-14376968358998076292015-10-29T03:36:00.001-07:002016-09-09T21:27:43.719-07:00Finding Bad Food in Italy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Since the very day I started traveling there, I have said that you would have great difficulty in finding a bad meal in Italy. Italians are exceptionally proud of their culture and express that through their food, by keeping their recipes regional and passing them down from one generation to the next. You, as a traveler, only need to seek out restaurants that advertise regional specialties to find a good meal.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32iuktNApQN43-ehBVNwaR_G4Nuhaz4cXFItPVraQHbKenpRUFmgpeCAPmNRkeKm0BjT-kw2Lp3T3vCRfMIlsm0KyYfMZB9MhaIWUA5cPJF1xo6P6DUKcDD7KadBHK5SpbN8pNw/s1600/10-IMG_2530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32iuktNApQN43-ehBVNwaR_G4Nuhaz4cXFItPVraQHbKenpRUFmgpeCAPmNRkeKm0BjT-kw2Lp3T3vCRfMIlsm0KyYfMZB9MhaIWUA5cPJF1xo6P6DUKcDD7KadBHK5SpbN8pNw/s400/10-IMG_2530.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76ZXGivrtnCj9I0joN0V0mM59X0_Gc5giK_5fDfZd0uZGu6KKLPaQssDiwwXT2UIf1rf8b9P72XhEtn9GnA0vkC9wEhk70Nb4ejnZCeWZPKGX5NdRzuJRMVtLgFQGLRs1tHGOnA/s1600/11-IMG_2532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76ZXGivrtnCj9I0joN0V0mM59X0_Gc5giK_5fDfZd0uZGu6KKLPaQssDiwwXT2UIf1rf8b9P72XhEtn9GnA0vkC9wEhk70Nb4ejnZCeWZPKGX5NdRzuJRMVtLgFQGLRs1tHGOnA/s200/11-IMG_2532.JPG" width="150" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
That was then, but this is now, after a visit to Bolzano. You can easily find a bad meal in Italy if you try ordering a pasta dish or a pizza in this town. Travelers expect to eat pasta in Italy, but in Bolzano, you are better off ordering Austrian specialties. Bolzano is too Austrian for the Italians and too Italian for the Austrians. You hear both languages in the streets, but there seems to be no blending of the cultures, unless you choose fusion type food, which I suspect, satisfies no one.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqg6N3Iku5gmJFWHppp5m1ClU1rKRfLFswE-OK8ACnjEnKCCnojtj2lYm8uf2QsgfCZ4-L1B-twmj5Rk495b4QfHOUj29ekl8dN-Uge128_4-5OTgvhP7b0NL3vDTjBaIeQIHi8A/s1600/18-IMG_2546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqg6N3Iku5gmJFWHppp5m1ClU1rKRfLFswE-OK8ACnjEnKCCnojtj2lYm8uf2QsgfCZ4-L1B-twmj5Rk495b4QfHOUj29ekl8dN-Uge128_4-5OTgvhP7b0NL3vDTjBaIeQIHi8A/s640/18-IMG_2546.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I was so upset after our 2nd meal, that I wondered out loud why Italy didn't just give it back to Austria. I later mentioned this to a young waiter we met from Trento, and his response was matter of fact. He said that Austria didn't want it, thinking it too Italianized. He went on to say that after World War II, when the borders changed, Italy transported many Southern Italians to Bolzano in an attempt to integrate more of their culture into the area.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6geUtZhfQPl7k-PI5Fi1qAbvBPRvowa3FN338D45NbD0gphxEg3IC2P4Ywq7vjFS_c4kjwECxIivGmbp-YECTwB9-wykE8jFaY7w1xYTsVIq-FtdvOIWcWknVi2mp4PAw9BrkoA/s1600/15-IMG_2541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6geUtZhfQPl7k-PI5Fi1qAbvBPRvowa3FN338D45NbD0gphxEg3IC2P4Ywq7vjFS_c4kjwECxIivGmbp-YECTwB9-wykE8jFaY7w1xYTsVIq-FtdvOIWcWknVi2mp4PAw9BrkoA/s320/15-IMG_2541.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAWWfG_rYA-0-x8oXMKi-6XashD0K2JdUBSsb87Rr777JebMIECBJ7kAR9nQ89uo02jE6MBCmYKWCVY-4_trnfIGarBHjM5pcWBgdWD9NeM9kuRRwQ0dckUl4HbcikxKQtgpBPA/s1600/13-IMG_2539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAWWfG_rYA-0-x8oXMKi-6XashD0K2JdUBSsb87Rr777JebMIECBJ7kAR9nQ89uo02jE6MBCmYKWCVY-4_trnfIGarBHjM5pcWBgdWD9NeM9kuRRwQ0dckUl4HbcikxKQtgpBPA/s320/13-IMG_2539.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
If Southern Italians migrated there, what happened to their ability to make pasta? They invented tomato sauce and Pasta Puttanesca. How could they be abandoned? The tomato based lasagne I ordered would have been better if it were the frozen product of Stoffer; ironic since the company name sounds Germanic. Our pizza was soggy; yes, we stooped to that for dinner, because we craved an Italian taste. This is something one does not expect to find in Italy, the country that invented the pizza.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGt5XToAzrFU2H3SiaXdJmPZ5WDIijX7aKpYJqa_b4vclvkJkuiM_L50sgABcaaMGzySwZI8OY-1HgQecNBxJCwCCAuX-RY1uKNckbEOfQAOQrK0ydztHAFSRGustHTdl_FIHxNQ/s1600/05-IMG_2525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGt5XToAzrFU2H3SiaXdJmPZ5WDIijX7aKpYJqa_b4vclvkJkuiM_L50sgABcaaMGzySwZI8OY-1HgQecNBxJCwCCAuX-RY1uKNckbEOfQAOQrK0ydztHAFSRGustHTdl_FIHxNQ/s320/05-IMG_2525.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQYkyTBamDK2AfsSSpv1MqX0jR_VxiKUaD1ZfePmk-KkOkBRugG6xeFqsdZPU-V31W6X7jjht6PCzaSMcYvWI0QmfNlmf1HH-j8S7nKPoKjxmeLUDmzgLNYAGiszTs1I4G9QijA/s1600/08-IMG_2528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQYkyTBamDK2AfsSSpv1MqX0jR_VxiKUaD1ZfePmk-KkOkBRugG6xeFqsdZPU-V31W6X7jjht6PCzaSMcYvWI0QmfNlmf1HH-j8S7nKPoKjxmeLUDmzgLNYAGiszTs1I4G9QijA/s320/08-IMG_2528.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSVk5pnCNtoDy1DrZbgegvyb_MK4jasTFcdgb8NcbLGdP76DAKwwnzE2nR4lpyfoqEJ3k11RUx15fyGRusc7Euz8fCwNntzwTrjsG5MKR1Fv_7d5pF9uwPAqRg6SsIQVLN5puFA/s1600/06-IMG_2526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSVk5pnCNtoDy1DrZbgegvyb_MK4jasTFcdgb8NcbLGdP76DAKwwnzE2nR4lpyfoqEJ3k11RUx15fyGRusc7Euz8fCwNntzwTrjsG5MKR1Fv_7d5pF9uwPAqRg6SsIQVLN5puFA/s640/06-IMG_2526.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
Bolzano has a lively open air market in town and as we wandered through it, we saw all the ingredients one would need for making traditional Italian recipes; tomatoes, herbs, meats and classic Italian cheese. There seemed no good excuse for the lack of classic Italian dishes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-WtcfA5T41qcvY1qWgNxb0Plf8eDTe18VKCnbKGIHRggk8m54aAfjdRT4Tryo0DtcHW9bv7e0Sq0i4QwXr_W_7WEjpv_g8N2xvS2AS8CG1y7Fqvn9_x_EBcdK8aAozYkwtiFcKg/s1600/04-IMG_2524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-WtcfA5T41qcvY1qWgNxb0Plf8eDTe18VKCnbKGIHRggk8m54aAfjdRT4Tryo0DtcHW9bv7e0Sq0i4QwXr_W_7WEjpv_g8N2xvS2AS8CG1y7Fqvn9_x_EBcdK8aAozYkwtiFcKg/s320/04-IMG_2524.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxt9ATRVTd_-p2lVI4zUMiCzK-ORqJbyOz9XapDgzHkUPPv0gCDc4mftuRmzRBu7zjh8MZU3D1H2RxjRLgJfmyh2_-WCsRRAdA6pBExHtrd0A3Rw5G2laSyWc3nQEdQA7XPbX2g/s1600/14-IMG_2540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxt9ATRVTd_-p2lVI4zUMiCzK-ORqJbyOz9XapDgzHkUPPv0gCDc4mftuRmzRBu7zjh8MZU3D1H2RxjRLgJfmyh2_-WCsRRAdA6pBExHtrd0A3Rw5G2laSyWc3nQEdQA7XPbX2g/s320/14-IMG_2540.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBfIAWK0JyFzkLOWGRvtVAkNDdlPSx1HbOJlc1e5EToBig-H-ibMBz9_klTcG1pFo-dlLrIWx_D4ulo5gvb0AdC8ZiyQJYhM_0xpW5jsPPPB4WPXU6fraQLUIA_C8TL91DoD4GCw/s1600/12-IMG_2538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBfIAWK0JyFzkLOWGRvtVAkNDdlPSx1HbOJlc1e5EToBig-H-ibMBz9_klTcG1pFo-dlLrIWx_D4ulo5gvb0AdC8ZiyQJYhM_0xpW5jsPPPB4WPXU6fraQLUIA_C8TL91DoD4GCw/s640/12-IMG_2538.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
If the truth be known, we decided to add Bolzano and Trento to our itinerary, just to get away from schnitzels for awhile. As much as we liked Bolzano as a small city, we looked forward to finding good Italian food in Trento, and we did.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9fuw-Lx695jaQ2kg-H9eYGfqvhnZQFmjgJpxg6Y1NdDUiKVe6ITVJbzMWd2eQitSrfTl7DnW8-35rU5utP3xwrCEG1y5dL-_NokKFrfEJ-WGc4pdjKb1-E5Qu6y8qicQrbx7PQ/s1600/22-IMG_2554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9fuw-Lx695jaQ2kg-H9eYGfqvhnZQFmjgJpxg6Y1NdDUiKVe6ITVJbzMWd2eQitSrfTl7DnW8-35rU5utP3xwrCEG1y5dL-_NokKFrfEJ-WGc4pdjKb1-E5Qu6y8qicQrbx7PQ/s640/22-IMG_2554.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCxhzBYrSNYvR3Okvnkho4oH3JjILJeC08QJh3-6Z3gMfRC_K837q8M8MzCYFwi-saIOxUu12ZSw2kuqws3jKA1mj82bn3i32XLLwtfddS7RNJa0mXnr3Tmv6zFYkx46BM9A3BBg/s1600/23-IMG_2555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCxhzBYrSNYvR3Okvnkho4oH3JjILJeC08QJh3-6Z3gMfRC_K837q8M8MzCYFwi-saIOxUu12ZSw2kuqws3jKA1mj82bn3i32XLLwtfddS7RNJa0mXnr3Tmv6zFYkx46BM9A3BBg/s320/23-IMG_2555.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4jShc15q_MKRswFWFs8jqEKeTkX9d2DrOUrkDDWOdPQKms14GYOJOm3Zl8r7RKf_Fr73MyExVkXEu65DJ6_NHqFKhQB49Aw7JahhtLxaRuLlRO0dXkkbE7uVD9LuNHaPU_enZIg/s1600/03-IMG_2523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4jShc15q_MKRswFWFs8jqEKeTkX9d2DrOUrkDDWOdPQKms14GYOJOm3Zl8r7RKf_Fr73MyExVkXEu65DJ6_NHqFKhQB49Aw7JahhtLxaRuLlRO0dXkkbE7uVD9LuNHaPU_enZIg/s320/03-IMG_2523.JPG" width="240" /></a> </div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Bolzano is worth a trip for architecture, shopping, strolling and just about anything else except food. The one exception was the pastry, which looked spectacular, as you can see by the following photo. Those in front are made with chestnut puree and rich dark chocolate.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQBHVBx6YaJXvyY3tXW_fvMPVBqKZ69HLLdJ74agjIkGIU5taIge9VjQJEmYdQQVzI9GwGHwSCME6VC-3m7Nt6J30rpdbzUJ55-vIIKpM91C2w2V_rTEKa4LjsT7i1kTdOmoeWw/s1600/17-IMG_2543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQBHVBx6YaJXvyY3tXW_fvMPVBqKZ69HLLdJ74agjIkGIU5taIge9VjQJEmYdQQVzI9GwGHwSCME6VC-3m7Nt6J30rpdbzUJ55-vIIKpM91C2w2V_rTEKa4LjsT7i1kTdOmoeWw/s1600/17-IMG_2543.JPG" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Having lost over 1200 digital photos during this trip, I regret to be unable to inform you of the restaurants to avoid, but I will caution you to follow your nose for the best options. If it smells good, it usually is. Just remember to not expect too much in the way of Italian fare. Here is a visual reminder:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYlvudBTNN2wnM6MDlt3CBwYLe0w4V23lgbT5DGOLFADwNkkpXQCtpPpkF9pSm2h1T-v_R0ZyT5zTAE5DPtLTfb4_G0IIBVmlTTmV0s4pFLjdOLuBmRzZFCoHdmgiDtJ3ATz69Bg/s1600/24-IMG_2556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYlvudBTNN2wnM6MDlt3CBwYLe0w4V23lgbT5DGOLFADwNkkpXQCtpPpkF9pSm2h1T-v_R0ZyT5zTAE5DPtLTfb4_G0IIBVmlTTmV0s4pFLjdOLuBmRzZFCoHdmgiDtJ3ATz69Bg/s1600/24-IMG_2556.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Special thanks to William J. Thomson for permitting the use of his photos taken in Bolzano. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
Vita d'Orohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12264556946744893084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28489671.post-11725404992814806612015-10-26T23:43:00.001-07:002015-10-30T00:29:24.618-07:00Train Travel in Europe<div style="text-align: justify;">
There are a number of options to consider when traveling through Europe by train. Should you buy a train pass, what class, should you buy an open ticket, or specify the time, do you need a reserved seat? Whether making specific plans for your chosen itinerary, or flying by the seat of your pants, even if you choose to do that on a train, there are many things to consider.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Eurail passes: you can travel to any country or select specific countries, when buying a pass, but what advantage is it to have one? If you want to save time and not stand in ticket lines, or try a self service machine, they can save you time, but can they save you money? That only happens when you consider the cost of the tickets if purchased separately. For years I purchased the pass and forced myself on day trips, so I would be using up all the money prepaid for the pass. The convenience of the pass fell apart when traveling during peak hours and the only way to sit on the train was to have a seat reservation, which required standing in long ticket lines. The romance of having the pass and hopping trains at will soon faded.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Rail pass classes: which class offers the most benefit? When I was single, my answer was based strictly on finances. 2nd class was good enough and took me to the same places the 1st class passengers were going. Perhaps it was more crowded, but it was comfortable enough and would still allow me to take the fast trains. When I married, my husband wanted to travel 1st class on the trains, because the cars were less crowded and therefore quieter. Even though I groaned when buying those passes, thinking of all the money I was wasting, I could understand his logic...until cell phones were invented and until we discovered that many places we wanted to visit were not serviced by trains equipped with 1st class cars. My groaning continued, until my spouse realized that 2nd class cars, had become perfectly adequate.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Open tickets or specific times: what are the advantages of each? When purchasing a ticket with no specific time on it, if you change your mind about when you want to leave, you can use it for up to 2 months, or exchange it and travel to a different city. Sounds good until you discover that you cannot use it on every train traveling to your desired destination. That usually happens when the conductor tells you that your ticket is for a regional train and you have just boarded a Eurostar, requiring you to purchase another ticket on the spot, at an increased price. Another disadvantage of an open ticket is that you have no seat reservation, so if you are traveling at peak times, or have boarded a Eurostar going to a popular travel destination you may discover that most seats are reserved and unavailable, and you have nowhere to sit. Worse yet, you may be unable to move to another car, seeking an open seat, due to the throngs of other travelers who also boarded without reservations, most of them holding Eurail passes, wondering why the train was so overbooked, and thinking how inefficient the European system is.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Buying a ticket with a specific time takes away many of the risks involved with an open ticket. You know the specific time to travel, and the specific train. If you miss your train, the worst thing that happens is that you will have to exchange the ticket by standing in another ticket line. Just remember to book a seat when you do that, especially if you travel during peak hours. The ticket sellers can advise you about whether or not you may need the reservation.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
About paying for that reservation: what can you do when it's too late to book one? Here are a few tips. It's generally a 2 class train that has the potential for restricted seating. If you can move through the cars, you can also look for unreserved seats and take one. Seats will either have a reservation ticket on the top of the seat, or in the case of compartments, the position chart on the door will have the reservations inserted on reserved seats. Once the train starts moving, assume the reservations are for people getting on at the next stop or two and take the seat until that person boards the train. Since you cannot determine if seats are reserved, before entering the train, try getting on the train near the dining car if you are holding a 2nd class ticket. You can sit in the dining car and it may have a closet for your luggage, while you are ordering and dining. Since it would be impossible to eat enough to justify staying in the dining car on a long distance ride, try asking the conductor if there are available seats in 1st class, and ask if you can upgrade your ticket. 1st class ticket holders seldom have problems finding an available seat.</div>
Vita d'Orohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12264556946744893084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28489671.post-77429228871691261062015-10-21T13:17:00.001-07:002018-08-17T22:52:33.489-07:00The Place to Meat in Salzburg<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eCHsckOoHasN8FgKD8LCbUGltiiCq1VcCGHVr2jSKAxqEwfR6Rqp8Z_sDFwQMjjlY0mTM3bx7MYJvZq4Rlpbio5SxFtSmS2GLfdhmeBlfW8Wqp4-pHWQn3a6xBj7VWfZUzfVJQ/s1600/DSC00958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eCHsckOoHasN8FgKD8LCbUGltiiCq1VcCGHVr2jSKAxqEwfR6Rqp8Z_sDFwQMjjlY0mTM3bx7MYJvZq4Rlpbio5SxFtSmS2GLfdhmeBlfW8Wqp4-pHWQn3a6xBj7VWfZUzfVJQ/s640/DSC00958.JPG" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesPTjmshz__SzQuts2jJcqHx2rMPpEzKXRa2mpcLH6RobRRp8_-VAFP6-QmI_y3GPBDyVWEvmzeEOVvPfb4I0kDIMHmnTzBYc-6q-d3C7T5ovBFPxw8Hdr0Uq2emNS7QAEEdE4w/s1600/DSC00930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesPTjmshz__SzQuts2jJcqHx2rMPpEzKXRa2mpcLH6RobRRp8_-VAFP6-QmI_y3GPBDyVWEvmzeEOVvPfb4I0kDIMHmnTzBYc-6q-d3C7T5ovBFPxw8Hdr0Uq2emNS7QAEEdE4w/s200/DSC00930.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWGLO24lknrt19VYhrXgQGsRqqVG5QAmIo-fryyPW6KRDCNGgvxAb2pOKyH1YVmaf8kSRMeh0DWHOu_FxJa1o-en1S9Bak3ObryurkVUhOpBsfO3_cigEF0r-8ZVTwTXGuLqkRWg/s1600/DSC00921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWGLO24lknrt19VYhrXgQGsRqqVG5QAmIo-fryyPW6KRDCNGgvxAb2pOKyH1YVmaf8kSRMeh0DWHOu_FxJa1o-en1S9Bak3ObryurkVUhOpBsfO3_cigEF0r-8ZVTwTXGuLqkRWg/s200/DSC00921.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwohiDzEen-0ugIYqwaVpR-1Uoi5cIVHtASN0hyGKa8d1NBGydWgNI8Gf_nqt30YcN-8zPmevqkF3p9pSbwXM0VrTuJJy9ugoiy-GUbgVqyXzQ7jOBLBxFckS9doEBPOfjSuHUtA/s1600/DSC00940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwohiDzEen-0ugIYqwaVpR-1Uoi5cIVHtASN0hyGKa8d1NBGydWgNI8Gf_nqt30YcN-8zPmevqkF3p9pSbwXM0VrTuJJy9ugoiy-GUbgVqyXzQ7jOBLBxFckS9doEBPOfjSuHUtA/s200/DSC00940.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekjw5tDiU1yBE0eWafeiBOXkVk-1HHuUpH22yqdXD8d8RfZ7khDWQvdLLNxNHnjYOxr1TWVyq0LLyyOMaITogcItK95FC2bdjBUH1nYUvnLjF8z7_rqn73iWdvv-takLn33eP_g/s1600/DSC00926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekjw5tDiU1yBE0eWafeiBOXkVk-1HHuUpH22yqdXD8d8RfZ7khDWQvdLLNxNHnjYOxr1TWVyq0LLyyOMaITogcItK95FC2bdjBUH1nYUvnLjF8z7_rqn73iWdvv-takLn33eP_g/s640/DSC00926.JPG" width="600" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
No, that's not a typo; if you want mass quantities of meat for your meal, Augustiner brewery is the place to go in Salzburg. Because this was my first experience going to a beer garden, even if the inclement weather forced all the activity indoors, I found the system rather peculiar and complicated. The food was not delivered to your table after being ordered from a staff member, but was ordered by you at one of many private vendors on the premises.</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQBzfVV8F7ygtqPgeU1GZfnff98vX3FTSERvGgMMCViKQLlQVzd6fxw2zvw6vFAnNs738uMlv2hpX9gaEr8dCszJchwU8sd_4FRRqhA_2Bc1jjDl12B7a47sseHvkMK78VKvjHA/s1600/DSC00928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQBzfVV8F7ygtqPgeU1GZfnff98vX3FTSERvGgMMCViKQLlQVzd6fxw2zvw6vFAnNs738uMlv2hpX9gaEr8dCszJchwU8sd_4FRRqhA_2Bc1jjDl12B7a47sseHvkMK78VKvjHA/s320/DSC00928.JPG" width="275" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhSgN6SJNKowWAYeLt7dyvJ1zq_ABaZXQiTcUlT8xDGWD9ki3EdX_kr4jjHJ1fn1NoxeaTLxwtvwHETDE8Szk8QJy7OpP8JwWtusYnz0jtO89vi_uusDCugDuQVSwx7FaFu_zIQ/s1600/DSC00924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhSgN6SJNKowWAYeLt7dyvJ1zq_ABaZXQiTcUlT8xDGWD9ki3EdX_kr4jjHJ1fn1NoxeaTLxwtvwHETDE8Szk8QJy7OpP8JwWtusYnz0jtO89vi_uusDCugDuQVSwx7FaFu_zIQ/s320/DSC00924.JPG" width="275" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjPctystQaj_Z_JZKQbywaTCjcVnw4V0okr29gRKXzueAUfUFQoxzBbl3KE7Qt5TyGpv7PKUIEJ63xBkZ-ZRCPYVB0o6x5afR0qju00S3Vxv_rmBHIPQuajH7SiExjy2oGCtSHWg/s1600/DSC00927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="558" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjPctystQaj_Z_JZKQbywaTCjcVnw4V0okr29gRKXzueAUfUFQoxzBbl3KE7Qt5TyGpv7PKUIEJ63xBkZ-ZRCPYVB0o6x5afR0qju00S3Vxv_rmBHIPQuajH7SiExjy2oGCtSHWg/s640/DSC00927.JPG" width="600" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There were 6 or 7 vendors that had roasts, sausage, cold cuts, all primarily pork, but also chicken and one vendor with nothing but salads. Others provided breads and pastries. Although everyone is there for the beer, I did see soda on some tables, even so, they seemed awkward in combination with a pastry.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJ430THB7oFSvHG0HYrpcQpqX0x4vRtrJa5iaj8HBUTXgmNrtEW7-i3YkxuwcpR9vk3ID6FG_WmgwllkOO0Z7Dj57HXRBESMwxdm_qSFBcfNfCQuW5w0t9Q7lHDgkipp4VwB4yw/s1600/DSC00922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJ430THB7oFSvHG0HYrpcQpqX0x4vRtrJa5iaj8HBUTXgmNrtEW7-i3YkxuwcpR9vk3ID6FG_WmgwllkOO0Z7Dj57HXRBESMwxdm_qSFBcfNfCQuW5w0t9Q7lHDgkipp4VwB4yw/s320/DSC00922.JPG" width="275" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6qgcRM70GdnbnX3XiPp5cbSTKWA359zj99_KCme1v8j37cZlScb-65E70_TANFtzXUIgxcH5Yh1SSujyGa__483BElsIsuwtvP8ztCOjOmSpe_7wRBsGePurGNw3F4m6ZVLkwA/s1600/DSC00929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6qgcRM70GdnbnX3XiPp5cbSTKWA359zj99_KCme1v8j37cZlScb-65E70_TANFtzXUIgxcH5Yh1SSujyGa__483BElsIsuwtvP8ztCOjOmSpe_7wRBsGePurGNw3F4m6ZVLkwA/s320/DSC00929.JPG" width="275" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK10yFaxfsJFIc7FoUnRcRmuDjyp0AqzNlmmsUzP8FoWJVxXNmzZ_40r6RDw3f3HYy83UsGEDXdktVk_Ec8v1-OyJvvo6uXLbQQ9LnrJHo101L7lohtRoTDNCSHZMb6ZsuOUtc4w/s1600/DSC00923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK10yFaxfsJFIc7FoUnRcRmuDjyp0AqzNlmmsUzP8FoWJVxXNmzZ_40r6RDw3f3HYy83UsGEDXdktVk_Ec8v1-OyJvvo6uXLbQQ9LnrJHo101L7lohtRoTDNCSHZMb6ZsuOUtc4w/s320/DSC00923.JPG" width="600" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Speaking of awkward, the entire operation was bathed in ritual. In order to buy your beer, you had to select the size beer stein you wanted and pay the cashier, then, like a pilgrim at Mecca, you had to enter into a ritual cleansing. No not your feet, you had to rinse out your mug with hot water. Afterwards you would hand over your receipt to the man in charge of filling the steins. If the Augustinian monastery had been run by a woman, I do believe this system would have been simplified long before the Reformation occurred, but I digress.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZLf7WJBLCG3yG0X7wWhq4H6n2csvSu0iw8LnAntysPxiKUwwNUXE7JMM73i2Ys973wNWqklObWpywbiU1t0iato6VGw3Ch8Q6rlqZ8SsSxRnnCrZ8NpwNrGH1NxAiR1lGlifFg/s1600/DSC00920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZLf7WJBLCG3yG0X7wWhq4H6n2csvSu0iw8LnAntysPxiKUwwNUXE7JMM73i2Ys973wNWqklObWpywbiU1t0iato6VGw3Ch8Q6rlqZ8SsSxRnnCrZ8NpwNrGH1NxAiR1lGlifFg/s320/DSC00920.JPG" width="275" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEXGFF3BumsA6ncHs3YyWfqhJOeoZAyWwEQvV_V0NOzXKt9gqJcJ7IPuzcxEY4YzZoizkD5A_M1HTDcvNLOy_njqtzNQ6cfGenwOVGwWzgCjqPq58bj0h8QHbItRow1EeRxW1Eg/s1600/DSC00954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEXGFF3BumsA6ncHs3YyWfqhJOeoZAyWwEQvV_V0NOzXKt9gqJcJ7IPuzcxEY4YzZoizkD5A_M1HTDcvNLOy_njqtzNQ6cfGenwOVGwWzgCjqPq58bj0h8QHbItRow1EeRxW1Eg/s320/DSC00954.JPG" width="275" /></a><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRE3oAcSha4k5F_B-TbgxloHCF-OrvzaXB9pWdkcgeq8sAu3J91XXd-E-P_87yMyPVAXwolZpsVMWeE4-46_KgeQoVTTX3z0Gxby0PHqHxMd4ogRTcYm-DPjVm0SlvnGQjrJWO1w/s1600/DSC00937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRE3oAcSha4k5F_B-TbgxloHCF-OrvzaXB9pWdkcgeq8sAu3J91XXd-E-P_87yMyPVAXwolZpsVMWeE4-46_KgeQoVTTX3z0Gxby0PHqHxMd4ogRTcYm-DPjVm0SlvnGQjrJWO1w/s320/DSC00937.JPG" width="600" /></a><br />
Once we selected and paid for our food, my cohort parked me at a table and took off to buy the beers. It was no surprise when he returned with steins that were the size differential of Papa Bear and Goldilocks.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97mSMDlX_xytYw7BcIPhEhsGYCQnCzJ6lIJ9l-hMWlDPyVLXrew1Xtocrv2ufswOhntLc3ajJ0CMO3M5O1C9IXZ5pQz243eIwjJVPBHdJ2r09LnRXa900XvC8Vm9XqD9dHQqwZQ/s1600/DSC00931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97mSMDlX_xytYw7BcIPhEhsGYCQnCzJ6lIJ9l-hMWlDPyVLXrew1Xtocrv2ufswOhntLc3ajJ0CMO3M5O1C9IXZ5pQz243eIwjJVPBHdJ2r09LnRXa900XvC8Vm9XqD9dHQqwZQ/s320/DSC00931.JPG" width="275" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9zQjirxoMN9hYIwnnr4CJtRrw0EflBKOnQGOqmQpercTv8fl3DacaJZAamIqnqUEWfyuegrWscylTqHwzZi46PbxNCFGAjr4rubbnZ7abCK7J213l-NEWbAFaPkhy-Q3Zd7Pzw/s1600/DSC00932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9zQjirxoMN9hYIwnnr4CJtRrw0EflBKOnQGOqmQpercTv8fl3DacaJZAamIqnqUEWfyuegrWscylTqHwzZi46PbxNCFGAjr4rubbnZ7abCK7J213l-NEWbAFaPkhy-Q3Zd7Pzw/s320/DSC00932.JPG" width="275" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
He had selected a pork knuckle that tasted like a cured ham, while I had gone for the pork roast. We both opted for potato salad that tasted like potatoes and onions bathed in a vinegar syrup. The urge came over me to add a pickle and it helped to cut the fatty taste of the pork.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1I08MItXPp4iWCaKheGGNeyev6hhfm9h0FJ3xzyuLNv9-liNy-tWqGl1Jzm4evhGiIS7Z6Ta5CffWD79eHDeYXPatvf9Qm-n4dExLLEHaDBwZR0kzG7CkFBr5duQzg4MBT0zlyA/s1600/DSC00944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1I08MItXPp4iWCaKheGGNeyev6hhfm9h0FJ3xzyuLNv9-liNy-tWqGl1Jzm4evhGiIS7Z6Ta5CffWD79eHDeYXPatvf9Qm-n4dExLLEHaDBwZR0kzG7CkFBr5duQzg4MBT0zlyA/s320/DSC00944.JPG" width="275" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87etVNTKGODTtN0J_8ipxzERYtCPs1yK-573XlJCeLNU4QWiA-KmxBLt96nqcdKG1PyWudlYxME3dvGz1X3zK3DM0wbsw5W1sbgnB44rzihgZsCz4fhXfS6audw0qXBK9A5XL1A/s1600/DSC00942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87etVNTKGODTtN0J_8ipxzERYtCPs1yK-573XlJCeLNU4QWiA-KmxBLt96nqcdKG1PyWudlYxME3dvGz1X3zK3DM0wbsw5W1sbgnB44rzihgZsCz4fhXfS6audw0qXBK9A5XL1A/s320/DSC00942.JPG" width="275" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
As we looked at our plates, we started to marvel at the huge portion of meat on each of them, so much meat, that the potato salad could have been mistaken for a condiment instead of a side dish. That was an exaggeration, but the memory I had prior to seeing the photos again. Our only remedy was to go back to the food vendors and buy more food, which took the form of a huge pretzel and some home made potato chips. Our decision making may have been slightly influenced by our beer consumption.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGmbv5A7CLCGAhB-F6eFNowMOiENLcsSZ7ETU7kaEgJ1ialtO4W8EBxlTgDOBFOsfasHxZwvmyfNUj3vueTnRaYM3yeGUy6IYgkKgNXdZsVP2j3MGK4WLgD6bufVjMWxP99wjrw/s1600/DSC00939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGmbv5A7CLCGAhB-F6eFNowMOiENLcsSZ7ETU7kaEgJ1ialtO4W8EBxlTgDOBFOsfasHxZwvmyfNUj3vueTnRaYM3yeGUy6IYgkKgNXdZsVP2j3MGK4WLgD6bufVjMWxP99wjrw/s400/DSC00939.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Although I felt let down by the lack of beer hall camaraderie, since no one was singing, swaying to music, or clinking their beer steins together, it was a fun experience that I would repeat.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
</div>
Vita d'Orohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12264556946744893084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28489671.post-38690828375245734582015-10-15T14:35:00.000-07:002015-11-01T01:18:33.331-07:00Selfie Less<div style="text-align: justify;">
When we travel we seldom take notice of tour groups, other than to make fun of the group guides who wander around with bright colored umbrellas, oversized flowers or flags, even teddy bears, so as to stand out in a crowd and not lose their fledglings. Perhaps that is because we visit so many large cities. Traveling to a smaller destination makes them stand out, every individual in the group.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I often joke that I had lost my greatest opportunity to add the ultimate travel photo to my blog, after I failed to take out my own camera, when conscripted to take a photo of a Japanese tour group at the Arc d' Triomphe in Paris. If the groups are more like those seen recently in Cesky Krumlov, my services may never be demanded again.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I know that people want to be in some of their own travel photos, but the selfie craze has hit a low point when people feel the need to be in every photo. Common courtesy vanishes as people crowd in front of the attraction and one another, jockeying for their position in the perfect selfie, however, that perfection seems never to be achieved and the process continues at the next spot that catches their fancy.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On our 2 night stay at this diminutive World Heritage site, my husband and I reshot countless photos, because after we set up our shots, groups taking their selfies would step in front of us. They didn't see us because they were looking behind themselves to set up their own shots. In Hallstatt, I decided to give one man a taste of his own medicine, when he planted himself less than 3 feet in front of me, as I was about to take my photo. I repositioned myself 3 feet in front of him, as he attempted to take his shot. If looks could kill...now I know the meaning of that cliche on a personal level.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well, that was nothing compared to the man we passed in St Peter's churchyard in Salzburg. He bellowed a loud "f--k you!", as we passed him along the path. Didn't he know about the delete button on his digital camera? I thanked my lucky stars that I could delete all the disrupted attempts I had made in taking photos. This man wouldn't have lasted 10 minutes in Hallstatt or Cesky Krumlov without resorting to fisticuffs or having a nervous breakdown. He really needed to toughen up; taking successful photos is not for the impatient nor ill tempered traveler.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
What about these accessories that allow the iPhone or Samsung to be held 2 feet away from the self involved photo taker? Does the background even get in the shot when the photo subject/photographer is busy craning their neck to see if they are ready for their closeup? I kept observing and not one person looked at anything but their camera, even when it was above their head.<br />
<br />
We decided to break for lunch and get away from the group tours. Two women sat at the table next to us and spent their entire time taking posed photos of one another until their order arrived. Even though they were not selfie indulgent it was still annoying. When one approached us and asked if we wanted her to take a photo of us, we answered in unison "No thank you!"<br />
<br />
OMG, I just had a frightening thought...what if these people decided to use drones next year?</div>
Vita d'Orohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12264556946744893084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28489671.post-57783026294141723462015-10-15T13:27:00.000-07:002016-09-10T17:06:04.413-07:00If You're Full, The Food Is Good<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisujA_9i8QEvvuZNLK25bN1rBcRprvVkYZPPPgZevA_FqgpbYXHPnB6Drr-hdy7Do9n9Iw9f44K3bCetPOM8puCUQGXOxIxi3ycWFR3p4DM-yhfKtsgDLV6ujHMU7a8VbUzjxVvw/s1600/1-DSC00244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisujA_9i8QEvvuZNLK25bN1rBcRprvVkYZPPPgZevA_FqgpbYXHPnB6Drr-hdy7Do9n9Iw9f44K3bCetPOM8puCUQGXOxIxi3ycWFR3p4DM-yhfKtsgDLV6ujHMU7a8VbUzjxVvw/s640/1-DSC00244.JPG" width="480" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">was</span> an old Czech saying,<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span>according to our waiter <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">from </span>The Hotel Gra<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">nd <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Cafe</span></span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">located i<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">n </span></span>Cesky Krumlov, a World Heritage site in the Czech Republic. It was e<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">mbarrassing to hear, because it</span> reminded me of how very little deprivation the American public has suffered in recent history. We expect food to be much more than filling in order to be good<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">,</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">a</span>lthough that doesn't seem to stop us from over eating at fast food restaurants.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8dsem-TAYaXzy-GFdJlKH0skeqQLkvbAyQMqnDgca83ojZQoDM7saoNtggjhbJJhVvzigBwOqTvqKJDULiyUmqKBKCe1P-zNeiyJBpEuXE8Py5O_qoKwtusxZay4aUr5ACnMfQ/s1600/09-DSC00071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8dsem-TAYaXzy-GFdJlKH0skeqQLkvbAyQMqnDgca83ojZQoDM7saoNtggjhbJJhVvzigBwOqTvqKJDULiyUmqKBKCe1P-zNeiyJBpEuXE8Py5O_qoKwtusxZay4aUr5ACnMfQ/s640/09-DSC00071.JPG" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVaXjJjOLBaOhGTpkjcsNHzF08LkyZ_FPDeFBSkuAX-BENTuLFkkV36MaRxx1vVg9r585nuR_ybi5vztmyqS3QZtGmgIQtLIQrR7aiM8nNMXOuE5t1vdg9uxlPptAXakEj7F_3uw/s1600/14-DSC00076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVaXjJjOLBaOhGTpkjcsNHzF08LkyZ_FPDeFBSkuAX-BENTuLFkkV36MaRxx1vVg9r585nuR_ybi5vztmyqS3QZtGmgIQtLIQrR7aiM8nNMXOuE5t1vdg9uxlPptAXakEj7F_3uw/s400/14-DSC00076.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-w-X1EmcN89M-Mj99FJr_SLRnDRb83i447-av7ma8kHHVZXDr0Bl-w5sgtz0HXtuOrSFBCMQhx9JVAqJYCULMnveDO__9ZKNJiGvXc3FBmhzQEOgK9NNM-IXAzYMWpGUiRDW5g/s1600/02-DSC00062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-w-X1EmcN89M-Mj99FJr_SLRnDRb83i447-av7ma8kHHVZXDr0Bl-w5sgtz0HXtuOrSFBCMQhx9JVAqJYCULMnveDO__9ZKNJiGvXc3FBmhzQEOgK9NNM-IXAzYMWpGUiRDW5g/s200/02-DSC00062.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">O</span>ur meal was filling alright, in fact, a cardinal rule was broken by not cleaning <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the</span> plate<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Because of being</span> just too full to eat another bite<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">,</span> I placed one of the more than generous dumpling slices onto my husband's plate, so my plate would look as though at least an effort had been made to finish <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the</span> meal.<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span>That is a technique that is generally successful, but not this time<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lzTymMhnheCN9s8ix37SF09QZReV_HO-UoARbLmePwgaYvVapJc09Z6Fr5vM8R-x1_v9vBsX6cqhv6UPCeqZal_07htKlYUum4kmMvB5JkUigc6ud2tQjP8SMHML3nBTtnWKcw/s1600/01-DSC00061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lzTymMhnheCN9s8ix37SF09QZReV_HO-UoARbLmePwgaYvVapJc09Z6Fr5vM8R-x1_v9vBsX6cqhv6UPCeqZal_07htKlYUum4kmMvB5JkUigc6ud2tQjP8SMHML3nBTtnWKcw/s200/01-DSC00061.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Since we had started with the chicken soup, loaded with what looked like the same bread that <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">had been</span> the primary ingredient within the dumplings, we <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">seemed</span> doomed from the start.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0GyFVl_0ibnRiU0iJwPLZOLZx2j68nlWuggO-muCbuFqSw8cbB3MfXkcB_lxJlN2_c-x-k-QE38T2xFzCOap7CuetlbuXTgbvtk_ME5XJARyvYInGB4MZBOxjV5NaAksFuSLhg/s1600/06-DSC00067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0GyFVl_0ibnRiU0iJwPLZOLZx2j68nlWuggO-muCbuFqSw8cbB3MfXkcB_lxJlN2_c-x-k-QE38T2xFzCOap7CuetlbuXTgbvtk_ME5XJARyvYInGB4MZBOxjV5NaAksFuSLhg/s640/06-DSC00067.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Judging by his <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">selection</span> of roast pork with cabbage, <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">flanked by not one form, but two kinds of dumplings, bread and potato, my husband wa<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">s already in the weeds when it came to being full. <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">H</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">e was overcome by the sheer volume and weight of his own meal, so the "gifted" dumpling languished on his plate.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLKA3xyPKNw08QMzPT7S5qcTYOyWgKPwxYhH3FCPdvnyoiPT10F8y_lNbZJR4cwg-uFgmPPskVblBBgx-4sGGc27O8CQ58Tud9Pp34dUF0AOdyxjt5QLTu0BxEt58fUaYsF5tCg/s1600/03-DSC00063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLKA3xyPKNw08QMzPT7S5qcTYOyWgKPwxYhH3FCPdvnyoiPT10F8y_lNbZJR4cwg-uFgmPPskVblBBgx-4sGGc27O8CQ58Tud9Pp34dUF0AOdyxjt5QLTu0BxEt58fUaYsF5tCg/s320/03-DSC00063.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiM20rObjhpJ9OpPJynYeqVQHbAUxv2Uo5eusdYBzCmcHs6D_4Ci3Nf7xoGSXgfEiXa-0uwSYbgmbi0jfK8qYnNQFN4lOKdRGH_8w09VJxgvK0zJxNCFnvkoI-NaBi4RhXITWDMQ/s1600/05-DSC00065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiM20rObjhpJ9OpPJynYeqVQHbAUxv2Uo5eusdYBzCmcHs6D_4Ci3Nf7xoGSXgfEiXa-0uwSYbgmbi0jfK8qYnNQFN4lOKdRGH_8w09VJxgvK0zJxNCFnvkoI-NaBi4RhXITWDMQ/s400/05-DSC00065.JPG" width="300" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">H</span>e jokingly <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">remarked</span></span> that the Budvar <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">w</span>as causing the dumplings in his stomach to expand at a rapid pace. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTMkOh4fwNwEs9tJ_HztOnVzd0peC4R5_erDRyKVQg2EmUQP8eOt2d570vBocZCidOh712FxTUeWL7U8s_0O4unJgHNLgorCA1huc8Ku9gcQfX9LIEyJSHQ2cSIQ05nVYg99FIQ/s1600/12-DSC00074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTMkOh4fwNwEs9tJ_HztOnVzd0peC4R5_erDRyKVQg2EmUQP8eOt2d570vBocZCidOh712FxTUeWL7U8s_0O4unJgHNLgorCA1huc8Ku9gcQfX9LIEyJSHQ2cSIQ05nVYg99FIQ/s200/12-DSC00074.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiduj9oDT-KgRWDlpJN5yiEWcYH2-glMArqsridEGkAbRGc4rnuNuYU2NdwtuBDRb-IEjVynM1yCV2RWwxZVDn8CcmSq2UMEuNZsTL9TZ0EBOOMpASGeRkZDXFE_BqWLHtIk3Lifg/s1600/13-DSC00075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiduj9oDT-KgRWDlpJN5yiEWcYH2-glMArqsridEGkAbRGc4rnuNuYU2NdwtuBDRb-IEjVynM1yCV2RWwxZVDn8CcmSq2UMEuNZsTL9TZ0EBOOMpASGeRkZDXFE_BqWLHtIk3Lifg/s320/13-DSC00075.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A</span>lthough I could not identify the cut of the venison, it <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">may have</span> been from the shoulder, <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">t</span>he cream sauce and red currants added a nice note to the flavor. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQ5i0ajq717PxY_yFPehOEL62PiF7RK74ejNlKlk9u8NaP4KMdQX6B3DEqUixmvK90Yo-6dQzDMqYPYq_9GM4GTQ1sI5Dbj22Dqld2z1K7e7jWKVWuf2Flv8Qy0ZId7AnJIjEFQ/s1600/11-DSC00073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQ5i0ajq717PxY_yFPehOEL62PiF7RK74ejNlKlk9u8NaP4KMdQX6B3DEqUixmvK90Yo-6dQzDMqYPYq_9GM4GTQ1sI5Dbj22Dqld2z1K7e7jWKVWuf2Flv8Qy0ZId7AnJIjEFQ/s640/11-DSC00073.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As we scanned other restaurant menus the following day, we couldn't help but notice that the menus with photographs were showing plates with at least 4 or 5 slices of dumplings swimming in cream sauces. We had learned our lesson and dined at a restaurant that didn't even list dumplings.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
Vita d'Orohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12264556946744893084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28489671.post-35853658322761989142015-10-13T23:11:00.000-07:002016-09-09T21:31:36.407-07:00Flying into Vienna? You May Need a CAT.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKZwLlXwIzuFeYzCAlRUdHWZYarTXtuVT98yFES_ji6Csj_E6ycvkRz8wd5YG-uUiG1YouTi2lrttLe7E76kPbxvRuZbbymW6BpxSEnMbJG_KZ0Pwi9aur_v71IgWbwSMiBcJ-Q/s1600/DSC03449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKZwLlXwIzuFeYzCAlRUdHWZYarTXtuVT98yFES_ji6Csj_E6ycvkRz8wd5YG-uUiG1YouTi2lrttLe7E76kPbxvRuZbbymW6BpxSEnMbJG_KZ0Pwi9aur_v71IgWbwSMiBcJ-Q/s640/DSC03449.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Buddy may have climbed into my suitcase before I started packing for this trip, but he is not the CAT of which I speak. Nice try, Buddy, and better luck next time. But I digress.<br />
<br />
For those of us who may not have searched ground transportation before we arrived, I have a one word solution...CAT. City Airport Transportation is the simple way to go. They have lime green ticket kiosks all over the baggage area, also a desk to your right as you leave the baggage area. It couldn't be more simple. Their train into Vienna runs every 30 minutes at 6 and 36 past the hour. You needn't worry about getting on the wrong train, because they have painted their trains the same colors as the kiosks.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoaE3W-DI5GAGnHxpJrXVVwaDQWeeonK2JPWFpjNRU9Cn7MbBzVxxBFjemcA_S4hcTrDheNaXlGbkc_qAjGh16Jh4Gkg4tkiHpKEn6dCQ9OohgQVOUa4zVuniTYSzFe93bdtPQBg/s1600/2-DSC00075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoaE3W-DI5GAGnHxpJrXVVwaDQWeeonK2JPWFpjNRU9Cn7MbBzVxxBFjemcA_S4hcTrDheNaXlGbkc_qAjGh16Jh4Gkg4tkiHpKEn6dCQ9OohgQVOUa4zVuniTYSzFe93bdtPQBg/s640/2-DSC00075.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
At this writing, there are 2 types of tickets. The 12 euro ticket is for the train only, but the 2nd option, costing 14 euro, includes an underground Uban ticket. Lines 3 & 4 are available at the end of your train ride, just outside the train station. Luckily for us, our hotel was just a block away from a U3 station, so no transfers were required.<br />
<br />
<h4>
<a href="https://www.cityairporttrain.com/en/home" target="_blank">CAT Website</a></h4>
<br />Vita d'Orohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12264556946744893084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28489671.post-20132715241088273012015-10-08T15:06:00.000-07:002016-09-13T17:13:19.002-07:00Back in Earl's Court<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrTWwv1tZ0kJLQ-13L3G6pEikhKbMMbKBfzK0YPeWW8lRiuc3mmmOEV-swREF9GYMLEZUuWGGPHmDxOeVF86RvCAzPB9iI2DmqSBsjZkUuMm_iSKFNWwDm3AZDgZ_6bfnLXddDw/s1600/DSC09210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrTWwv1tZ0kJLQ-13L3G6pEikhKbMMbKBfzK0YPeWW8lRiuc3mmmOEV-swREF9GYMLEZUuWGGPHmDxOeVF86RvCAzPB9iI2DmqSBsjZkUuMm_iSKFNWwDm3AZDgZ_6bfnLXddDw/s640/DSC09210.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
On most visits to London, we find ourselves in Earl's Court, because it is serviced by both the Piccadilly and District lines of the London Tube. It is the closest central (Zone 1) London Underground stop to Heathrow airport, since once you board the train, it takes less than 30 minutes to get there. If you're going to Kings Cross you can add another 20 minutes to your commute.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAp6XWjF2mJAySlMACQJvOXHQDvue8ReG61AZ8Gp3POyAgdPybVCTW6IG2CQwG7O6ypZrVXMlYn3AYMFPdZs-sijnYsMIunAMP2UQH5Nr-DpVK9POdB4G-UCT4fCRevCSMK4eaMQ/s1600/DSC09148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAp6XWjF2mJAySlMACQJvOXHQDvue8ReG61AZ8Gp3POyAgdPybVCTW6IG2CQwG7O6ypZrVXMlYn3AYMFPdZs-sijnYsMIunAMP2UQH5Nr-DpVK9POdB4G-UCT4fCRevCSMK4eaMQ/s640/DSC09148.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The fact that it has an easily accessed elevator, for transporting heavy luggage to street level, is a big plus. This vibrant neighborhood is diverse and colorful with good value hotels and inexpensive dining options. Earl's Court Road is also filled with shops that I find very appealing when it comes to bringing home gifts for family.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
My two favorite places are Boot's the chain chemist shops that have nice prices on cosmetics, and Marks & Spencer's MS Simply Food. In late October, Boot's starts stocking gift boxes of assorted colors of nail polish, or eye shadows, sometimes lipsticks and assorted scents of bath gel, and body lotions.<br />
<br />
<br />
The
food hall has fresh produce and various take out foods like sandwiches
and salads, perfect for impromptu picnics, but what I love most are the
tins of cookies, or should I say "biscuits", that travel well. I have
never tasted better shortbread and the tins are gifts in themselves.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXIz9GjcO_ZQljym6qvoGbnlHoh64-eJcQED2MdH-nruMxY9_b_zxBTTekfHG74Z3pTLy4rDinD_-TPwEzdEEOD3kRWmv0NKHxINlS4W2pgTPjhtLBnQUHZV-kqVaCAgFKHfg0JA/s1600/DSC06175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXIz9GjcO_ZQljym6qvoGbnlHoh64-eJcQED2MdH-nruMxY9_b_zxBTTekfHG74Z3pTLy4rDinD_-TPwEzdEEOD3kRWmv0NKHxINlS4W2pgTPjhtLBnQUHZV-kqVaCAgFKHfg0JA/s200/DSC06175.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcc2NIPwYq6Kl1vVdmO6zh5SK0JOMKwh-eeVJsFy1N6r5YFC-pxTLT0WDnVNbClqARjd0LwQeDXeSmyo_eiT_-gdsC2aj5k_sCRbWa-PZ59nQ0v3qZhtzZ_Oqz1RqXi5nAQ7g4Xg/s1600/DSC06176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcc2NIPwYq6Kl1vVdmO6zh5SK0JOMKwh-eeVJsFy1N6r5YFC-pxTLT0WDnVNbClqARjd0LwQeDXeSmyo_eiT_-gdsC2aj5k_sCRbWa-PZ59nQ0v3qZhtzZ_Oqz1RqXi5nAQ7g4Xg/s200/DSC06176.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
These Belgian chocolate biscuits make a great gift for friends and were very easy to pack. I do have to wonder why my memory of their taste is so vivid; perhaps these never even made it to a friend.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG3UGxStlYiXBrRBkNOKcPqiFdnoTgkNKsnFwQbl1hazOlfez0YrSNH8LbvYNhWdqvVBDcRraIwZu8-OMg52rNDLmHZ_8b7z1b4yyh5xGpgUVdDEEF68LXUa9prE3qekq-2drMxw/s1600/DSC06180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG3UGxStlYiXBrRBkNOKcPqiFdnoTgkNKsnFwQbl1hazOlfez0YrSNH8LbvYNhWdqvVBDcRraIwZu8-OMg52rNDLmHZ_8b7z1b4yyh5xGpgUVdDEEF68LXUa9prE3qekq-2drMxw/s640/DSC06180.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfi_RhTV8MzFZ8n4Nyu5scybDiQDafV_5WV9sHJbYpQeLA1D4AMDDiYIcIFs8cqxSvgPtRSoMCJgTuvdAQGEMk3sH0YEPMxFJG2tYFch8c4G8uiUM7vkKZY7Yu47v3QkuO0U-Cqg/s1600/DSC06045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfi_RhTV8MzFZ8n4Nyu5scybDiQDafV_5WV9sHJbYpQeLA1D4AMDDiYIcIFs8cqxSvgPtRSoMCJgTuvdAQGEMk3sH0YEPMxFJG2tYFch8c4G8uiUM7vkKZY7Yu47v3QkuO0U-Cqg/s200/DSC06045.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLoY674eTg8HJP1Md0T5nrg64DGomR0jl7_mc4KuYFQmatsiv7JF6N6FQ37JySTiLEbebmK89UtHsy2g-i1hDfU8J-aeVY11AL900Ar84pM5-VMzZ4lxFQ00PXI8QvdfrZS1Idw/s1600/DSC06113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLoY674eTg8HJP1Md0T5nrg64DGomR0jl7_mc4KuYFQmatsiv7JF6N6FQ37JySTiLEbebmK89UtHsy2g-i1hDfU8J-aeVY11AL900Ar84pM5-VMzZ4lxFQ00PXI8QvdfrZS1Idw/s200/DSC06113.JPG" width="200" /></a>This flavor combination was what piqued my interest to try more M&S Simply Food products. I'm happy every time I see that it's still in the product line. But on occasion, when it wasn't available, there was never any disappointment in having to select something new. It seems that each time you walk into a Simply Food, you can rest assured that something new and interesting will be available in the biscuit department. Remember, there's always the shortbread.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9ko_MMklgnNn2MXyLx7Av5JjPLazOvnR4_1TSbOOIhIOsKEUNm9mXGcfH1vmcuRtxZ_zqk8KFKBt3YLzEgAB1_tTzjF0OjKjpfLVBMqYh_7Beho2SPNbm3sLx41uJv7_yJylaQ/s1600/4-DSC00010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9ko_MMklgnNn2MXyLx7Av5JjPLazOvnR4_1TSbOOIhIOsKEUNm9mXGcfH1vmcuRtxZ_zqk8KFKBt3YLzEgAB1_tTzjF0OjKjpfLVBMqYh_7Beho2SPNbm3sLx41uJv7_yJylaQ/s320/4-DSC00010.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQMnFmHMfThyphenhypheneB4Q6WzPxzLfnQHSbGRhdQtnZ7GPb7Wdb8efl9oY-fln_H3MgyezvLEu9pw8JEaXd8VbwYtbMHYz3TIrZJ2LqaP7i6oLd2fc1acA9NDKglAx6xCtxM04FR8hkdA/s1600/DSC09302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQMnFmHMfThyphenhypheneB4Q6WzPxzLfnQHSbGRhdQtnZ7GPb7Wdb8efl9oY-fln_H3MgyezvLEu9pw8JEaXd8VbwYtbMHYz3TIrZJ2LqaP7i6oLd2fc1acA9NDKglAx6xCtxM04FR8hkdA/s320/DSC09302.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxyGamTrcxvFcpH5vxFBjvzcNDkgk_FVM9Kk8YR-sPH5Oz-Y_4Q56wiv932L2qJVQOxcV5mdH7sEU5WCykN_Qa6igQwcOqoWUQ2M-_5R3IArEFR7kUXSZKd4r8-MzLDJ5HwjQ_g/s1600/1-DSC00067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxyGamTrcxvFcpH5vxFBjvzcNDkgk_FVM9Kk8YR-sPH5Oz-Y_4Q56wiv932L2qJVQOxcV5mdH7sEU5WCykN_Qa6igQwcOqoWUQ2M-_5R3IArEFR7kUXSZKd4r8-MzLDJ5HwjQ_g/s640/1-DSC00067.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If you couldn't possibly trust yourself to eat just one biscuit at a time, and that's more difficult than imaginable, you might be able to satisfy your sweet tooth with a four pack, rather than a ten pack of these tempting morsels. The volume will be the same, but you'll feel better about it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCvba7ywPUKp1wBC9g1SDQ5d5G-kOsTrdcQ7wF7Bcj7tPbrgqLcf2W6J4tdx6cIF95N76uzryo5iqW5USV-X2q1fYMALUdMcu4E2jlP3_yJ1Nxq5JUS95jDbRBvoRyFo6YMwTog/s1600/DSC06021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCvba7ywPUKp1wBC9g1SDQ5d5G-kOsTrdcQ7wF7Bcj7tPbrgqLcf2W6J4tdx6cIF95N76uzryo5iqW5USV-X2q1fYMALUdMcu4E2jlP3_yJ1Nxq5JUS95jDbRBvoRyFo6YMwTog/s320/DSC06021.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8xOSsvPUzo0gYKuEz8vo7kIarcQ_jOoNWhLYJ3N0MFrk6nbMpdTl1JR9G3JLenvPbPXEH3V6IEcjOwR4ryMWgYRS29e5Kfey1N4_HNuKFiXaq46-l8imgyc4cnX3scSlV_oB9g/s1600/DSC06025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8xOSsvPUzo0gYKuEz8vo7kIarcQ_jOoNWhLYJ3N0MFrk6nbMpdTl1JR9G3JLenvPbPXEH3V6IEcjOwR4ryMWgYRS29e5Kfey1N4_HNuKFiXaq46-l8imgyc4cnX3scSlV_oB9g/s320/DSC06025.JPG" width="240" /></a>If it hasn't occurred to you, that I'm fond of chocolates, maybe the photos here might give you a hint. M&S, Fair Trade Chocolates are some of the richest I've tasted. They're all intensely flavored, and feel like velvet. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNjSWv_PHtmrneaNTr6I-FZPI_06k02bOaajnlft3_RoD9lJ7anH9Efduzhn47suutidv2a4VfE1-U5VmFsjCHekUvf9c1FQIBeGaoOoL25Azh9OXWK-p91bN40Dlk-eLxWaltBw/s1600/DSC06174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNjSWv_PHtmrneaNTr6I-FZPI_06k02bOaajnlft3_RoD9lJ7anH9Efduzhn47suutidv2a4VfE1-U5VmFsjCHekUvf9c1FQIBeGaoOoL25Azh9OXWK-p91bN40Dlk-eLxWaltBw/s640/DSC06174.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pFFH9Gsd2X29iBAusTYQhXka-ciM3IzgIAcrQdJtyYLAoVlJFJ98nqXMx5rcwe_xTKnBU68OZLqY96NaHCZZp2P48gw8bYzsDp0E9Yh4L5EbbL_SMO8NGZvG4rsssF9aGo21Ng/s1600/DSC06015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pFFH9Gsd2X29iBAusTYQhXka-ciM3IzgIAcrQdJtyYLAoVlJFJ98nqXMx5rcwe_xTKnBU68OZLqY96NaHCZZp2P48gw8bYzsDp0E9Yh4L5EbbL_SMO8NGZvG4rsssF9aGo21Ng/s320/DSC06015.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaaD5m82Higqc9L36ya4H9jhC9XlvwK0ag9TsH9AZ9FyGfRNoFWefeEEJN9D2Ta1awWpiMj8RyS8_slnV0QStrAq2Y5OZFxFfv8a-_F0ghX5_kngcT3qaZfG9vCl9Wms5UGbhRhw/s1600/DSC06018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaaD5m82Higqc9L36ya4H9jhC9XlvwK0ag9TsH9AZ9FyGfRNoFWefeEEJN9D2Ta1awWpiMj8RyS8_slnV0QStrAq2Y5OZFxFfv8a-_F0ghX5_kngcT3qaZfG9vCl9Wms5UGbhRhw/s320/DSC06018.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
One can never have too much chocolate, can you? So, let's take a look at the cereals. Both of these samples actually made it home with me and truthfully, they were a bit overkill in the chocolate department, but a child would love them. Who wouldn't like dessert for breakfast?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGBSvuxukry8Q19R9kZfq0WRKRepucD1TTYvvHBkjgLBOtpaszVdechOx_XYN16Sram8Rz1Fqkt0Fu82Rpk0uwwiLASkWzNUeMIq5Z1x_8PDKhXA0_-QQIklRbkt3d5UstZjD_A/s1600/DSC06977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpGBSvuxukry8Q19R9kZfq0WRKRepucD1TTYvvHBkjgLBOtpaszVdechOx_XYN16Sram8Rz1Fqkt0Fu82Rpk0uwwiLASkWzNUeMIq5Z1x_8PDKhXA0_-QQIklRbkt3d5UstZjD_A/s640/DSC06977.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq69Dtn3voyep9O-WBVptQutPjDKt3pKTuG_MEpgarQpqTSjla5bBOzlM_sQBHuAa6I_R3Pma327TUGdM4ChUHaPTxzhYgZdUjzmrKQkq_Zh50xl6vWdQHY1FxXuDxfpMRCzS03A/s1600/DSC06076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq69Dtn3voyep9O-WBVptQutPjDKt3pKTuG_MEpgarQpqTSjla5bBOzlM_sQBHuAa6I_R3Pma327TUGdM4ChUHaPTxzhYgZdUjzmrKQkq_Zh50xl6vWdQHY1FxXuDxfpMRCzS03A/s400/DSC06076.JPG" width="300" /></a>If you're thinking about adding to a gourmet pantry or would like a gift for an avid home chef, Simply food can help you find more than chocolate. Maldon salt is a flaked sea salt that would be well received by any cook<br />
<br />
You can easily find it and its smoked flavor in London. M&S also sells other European salts like Falksalt, which produces a broad range of flavored salts. This was the first I'd ever seen of a chipotle flavored salt. Besides the smoke flavor this, offered a spicy flavor too.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCghqaU5FCIa-g4-OMm1iEIb2RhacdeAKVddjbxCeFOM5O_bJG5WAQjsj3vYb7AkrYlN-9U4wSI0UKejItKGZNgwHYbraJhksjUHxl4BWRiY8GEcZwc3DekPonVbBIPCroCmfZLw/s1600/DSC06064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCghqaU5FCIa-g4-OMm1iEIb2RhacdeAKVddjbxCeFOM5O_bJG5WAQjsj3vYb7AkrYlN-9U4wSI0UKejItKGZNgwHYbraJhksjUHxl4BWRiY8GEcZwc3DekPonVbBIPCroCmfZLw/s200/DSC06064.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgURAjzylJonsYb4wvPeR78YroPAso6L_kcaDN_5QUAQfK_ngeiNQ-pswRibqKbvOzKOKm_Df73eib8NDEcpC2N9Kqcv4GZdyJlwpQxQFG-EzzxQ9aD6MQcqY2CeGySOt1K-iZIQw/s1600/DSC06060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgURAjzylJonsYb4wvPeR78YroPAso6L_kcaDN_5QUAQfK_ngeiNQ-pswRibqKbvOzKOKm_Df73eib8NDEcpC2N9Kqcv4GZdyJlwpQxQFG-EzzxQ9aD6MQcqY2CeGySOt1K-iZIQw/s640/DSC06060.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Don't bring these back to a foodie friend unless you want a marriage proposal. You don't understand? Perhaps you have never had the opportunity to eat potatoes fried in goose fat. I assure you that these will pass U.S.Customs, unless there's another outbreak of Bird Flu, so buy them while ye may, and expect a very sincere thank you.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMQ2TCWgw4WU_h0gQ8FEBRj0u_poZoOLjiWpVK5acGPruEAmWAUce_qowTpLZcr3mOUQLU1lu_U4X67JRGGOhAiz5GGfrtFhDrwgNztVkqfwNMbDKffauIDw2B3gj-bOSd0mPiPQ/s1600/DSC05745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMQ2TCWgw4WU_h0gQ8FEBRj0u_poZoOLjiWpVK5acGPruEAmWAUce_qowTpLZcr3mOUQLU1lu_U4X67JRGGOhAiz5GGfrtFhDrwgNztVkqfwNMbDKffauIDw2B3gj-bOSd0mPiPQ/s320/DSC05745.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAlJCxOVB4oU5vso3Bty8QtSRd-AazH1ixLpXReEdSexcBT7QE5YYGjshqvlhvTnmb_aeUgURq8Ry9sJ-qDPVtipxLFkqYyTXgd4V4ecb_9Vq4xAQ-j9U9y1CScKL0P_MLcGupQ/s1600/DSC05747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAlJCxOVB4oU5vso3Bty8QtSRd-AazH1ixLpXReEdSexcBT7QE5YYGjshqvlhvTnmb_aeUgURq8Ry9sJ-qDPVtipxLFkqYyTXgd4V4ecb_9Vq4xAQ-j9U9y1CScKL0P_MLcGupQ/s320/DSC05747.JPG" width="240" /></a>Our only excuse for buying this cheese and pickle sandwich had to be temporary insanity. It was so very British it just begged to be tried. It's better to try one in a pub. We wanted to stay in, and made do.<br />
<br />
<br />
The bottled water, however, was a nice and refreshing surprise, in more ways than one. The flavors were fresh. The elderflower water is on my list of items to pick up on our next trip.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
When it comes to hotels, we have had good luck with The Mayflower on Trebivor Road, the Coronation along Nevern Square, The Ibis Styles Kensington Hotel on Hogarth Road and even the small Russel Hotel, again on Trebivor Road, although these days I prefer a hotel with a lift (elevator). Trying the Best Western Burn's Hotel this year has made me rethink my aversion to American Corporate properties in Europe. It seems they just affiliate with locally owned properties if their standards are met and maintained, in order to broaden their brand. The operation of the hotel is left to the original owners.<br />
<br />
The trick to finding a decent sized room in London is to never accept a "standard" room, but to go for the next type at a slightly more expensive rate, such as a deluxe or executive room. When a hotel does not have an elevator I request a ground floor room or nothing higher than the 1st floor. Another good idea is to request the largest room available at that rate. The website LateRooms.com has been a fine resource for me to use in finding the lowest prices possible, and the prices are better the later you book, however, the selection also decreases.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Fuller's Pub, just across from the station is a good place to find a "Full English" breakfast if your room doesn't come with breakfast. For a chain, which I try to avoid, Masala Zone has broadened my perspective. New Asia on Hogarth Road is decent for Indian, but Masala Zone on Earl's Court Road to the left of the station has won me over. Another restaurant that provides great value is The Little French Restaurant that has operated on Hogarth Road for the last 20 years. No one can match their £12.95, 3 course menu. Costa Coffee Shops has a location on Earl's Court Road and they are a nice alternative to Starbucks. Unfortunately, Earl's Court Road is now flooded with American fast food joints. Just remember that you didn't need a transatlantic flight in order to buy or order chicken </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
from KFC, or a sandwich at Subway, or a burger at McDonald's or Burger King.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
TO BE CONTINUED...with photos added of the shops, hotels and restaurants.</div>
Vita d'Orohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12264556946744893084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28489671.post-46528021541754440202014-10-05T21:35:00.000-07:002015-03-15T21:37:47.758-07:00The Paris You Do Not Want to Visit or… Learn How to Use a GPS<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GICHMI2Y1Tc/VQX6rnYt6fI/AAAAAAAALJ0/WvTnct6g1Wk/s1600-h/DSC03554%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC03554" border="0" alt="DSC03554" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-puuBSH4MpwM/VQX6sAkTrII/AAAAAAAALJ8/mcQ98SpesyA/DSC03554_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="309"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-waqvz_SxTeo/VQX6smHQgYI/AAAAAAAALKE/U-HcPDfP4pA/s1600-h/DSC03553%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC03553" border="0" alt="DSC03553" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRvqPCQW5i2oJRiBN_J9BgAqLl5j7B4GXNcFnMJfRWlCKlgSryhJQC-mF5a9QvElt5hJehJUav6_3gw5Oa_TRC0jDahV9aHX102p2vKuEIagGbdpBYkUtv3BURyVDbA7-EVYNq6Q/?imgmax=800" width="232" height="308"></a> </p> <p align="justify">Even though this is a lovely church tower, we have no idea where in Paris it is, nor do we know the name of the church. Why is that? Because we were on the excessively large ring road that encircles Paris like a boa constrictor encircles its prey. This is a cautionary tale about getting lost in a rental car.</p> <p align="justify">We were very pleased with ourselves for renting a car at the Charles De Gaul airport, rather than inside Paris. We were planning on visiting Reims in the Champagne region north east of Paris, then go to several places in Normandy before returning to Paris for our flight home. As we left the airport, we were trying to learn the specifics of the GPS on the dashboard of our rental car, when we discovered we were heading in the wrong direction. Years ago on my first visit, as I walked along the Champs Elise, I saw a small fender bender. Both drivers left their cars, one of his own volition and the other being dragged out by his collar. Needless to say it was an unfriendly confrontation comprised of screaming and fisticuffs. It prompted me to wonder how one says I’m sorry in French. Then and there, the decision was made to simply avoid driving in Paris. </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gXBYe_xC2K8/VQX6t7u-jDI/AAAAAAAALKU/OzQ2y8BT0nk/s1600-h/DSC03549%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC03549" border="0" alt="DSC03549" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-t3wXB3M6RTs/VQX6udS_nPI/AAAAAAAALKY/MqSHbl05v6k/DSC03549_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="238" height="185"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zYtfuKAI-MM/VQX6u6xKubI/AAAAAAAALKk/Jy778Xoif0U/s1600-h/DSC03552%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC03552" border="0" alt="DSC03552" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qZQEMnsXIwE/VQX6vc0GGKI/AAAAAAAALKo/mgL2y36qKoI/DSC03552_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="justify">As we kept going further south we headed toward the Paris Centre signs hoping to find a way to turn around. Our map was somewhat helpful but once we discovered the intricacies of the GPS it turned into our best friend. Unfortunately, we still couldn’t find the turnoffs in time to actually take them, so we eventually had to make the complete loop around Paris. Los Angeles freeways had nothing on this tangle of lanes, vehicles, and off ramps, but they did prepare us for it.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-l9MOan25tos/VQX6wHAJNsI/AAAAAAAALK0/CYWyCETc-9A/s1600-h/DSC03556%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC03556" border="0" alt="DSC03556" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9C_cmxqiaYw/VQX6wYMDLeI/AAAAAAAALK4/RYAOfPhJIP0/DSC03556_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iStjzQlocqM/VQX6xCmAzFI/AAAAAAAALLE/wxFqcKPEl8M/s1600-h/DSC03555%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC03555" border="0" alt="DSC03555" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1hjZrBsV-zI/VQX6xkjqcFI/AAAAAAAALLI/WsSIpTfHBWo/DSC03555_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p></p> <p align="justify">The one hour drive wasn’t completely devoid of small pleasures, if you like modern architecture, and we did see an advertising balloon afloat overhead. When you need to keep a lookout for your exit, these distractions could actually cost you another hour if you can’t read 6-15 direction signs in a flash.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-T2CQu4F1lQk/VQX6yOYic5I/AAAAAAAALLU/oQrL2EI_6xA/s1600-h/DSC03559%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC03559" border="0" alt="DSC03559" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-52NUU3ZfBZU/VQX6y_bFgXI/AAAAAAAALLc/Do-mr4kk2DY/DSC03559_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="491" height="369"></a> </p> <p align="justify">We took a deep breath as we entered the GPS directed turnoff, found our way out of Paris, and sighed with relief. This unpleasant detour could have easily been avoided had we stopped to take a few minutes to figure out the GPS instead of rushing out of the airport. Lesson learned. As it turned out, the GPS also saved us from missing our flight home, because we were literally driving blind in the dark, wee hours of the morning when we left. Our eyes and maps were useless with no light.</p> Vita d'Orohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12264556946744893084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28489671.post-71440153873935849122014-09-23T22:09:00.000-07:002020-07-24T00:13:22.483-07:00Hotel Belle Etoile in La Roque-Gageac, Where Time Stands Still<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrX8_tUAqd99sZnioZ1aPHvlF0vWulR1pjvjL0kmsq-InPclKrE1BKH6HLQ7umMKVLDuT5QnSV7gcTcn5U8Q4Wp_-z8hpLvIACMU4IouTohPWNzI7x6yGg_IBozpgdw97sL6bepA/s1600/DSC02716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrX8_tUAqd99sZnioZ1aPHvlF0vWulR1pjvjL0kmsq-InPclKrE1BKH6HLQ7umMKVLDuT5QnSV7gcTcn5U8Q4Wp_-z8hpLvIACMU4IouTohPWNzI7x6yGg_IBozpgdw97sL6bepA/s200/DSC02716.JPG" width="278" /></a></div>
<div align="justify">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5JoWwjqwuyKYuaQsUL19M-mhJ5Y1U3ahPvagmS5aWgzKaRXabFjjmNGUQF5j2JrNx9pvK0q4tPlnjF-nEvt1z5wWJ2wf_X1xEBlCkuPYDizlvDK2vDkeCXzDU9NP9sOdIy8Lbw/s1600/DSC02708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5JoWwjqwuyKYuaQsUL19M-mhJ5Y1U3ahPvagmS5aWgzKaRXabFjjmNGUQF5j2JrNx9pvK0q4tPlnjF-nEvt1z5wWJ2wf_X1xEBlCkuPYDizlvDK2vDkeCXzDU9NP9sOdIy8Lbw/s200/DSC02708.JPG" width="278" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6j_8ssApdz5vCW75WjxU4NUhZs2sWHtEh53M3eLH8vyQZn0K0JVP7Hc_13kFC0MeHlswkf_h4vreStB1KtPGm_xEfa2bWGPYJW0sp65otM3_VudMPUTTcnJgBco_dSsfZHVWZQ/s1600/DSC06104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6j_8ssApdz5vCW75WjxU4NUhZs2sWHtEh53M3eLH8vyQZn0K0JVP7Hc_13kFC0MeHlswkf_h4vreStB1KtPGm_xEfa2bWGPYJW0sp65otM3_VudMPUTTcnJgBco_dSsfZHVWZQ/s400/DSC06104.JPG" width="550" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
Perhaps time does not stand still in this quaint village, however, it does slow down, and it is unbelievable that in the past 8 years, Hotel Belle Etoile had not increased its rates for double rooms with private baths. As I looked back on the menus, even they have not kept up with inflation. The two course meal is now 28 euro, 2 euro above the 2006 price. The 3 and 4 course dinners were similarly increased in price, by a pittance. The value is so phenomenal, last year we booked 5 rooms for our 25th wedding anniversary, then invited family and friends who enjoy traveling to Europe to join us for 4 days and we would pick up the tab. It was far more generous for those who paid airfare to join us, and continue on with their own trips, than it was for us to take them to Belle Etoile. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqcN96HThyygw6xMnZPPEOKFIAvcKoYW41N7YyZvRNRe2rulRSAjmEF2GlfB_k3e9sb3QcmWZ3sjSH8mlDB7shXUNAZVHFdXnkhVsR_ji3zzyDI7QTxq3t_Zm5uYffZ_4VjegLYA/s1600/DSC02872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqcN96HThyygw6xMnZPPEOKFIAvcKoYW41N7YyZvRNRe2rulRSAjmEF2GlfB_k3e9sb3QcmWZ3sjSH8mlDB7shXUNAZVHFdXnkhVsR_ji3zzyDI7QTxq3t_Zm5uYffZ_4VjegLYA/s320/DSC02872.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAp-qD1KOqtMMOK9SZWvUNro-ocD0TSk-KsKZOcdqyEMPc1UH6ehcJ7QV3Xob1ItgDc72NAGju4kfGJK-VeSzaGLDF6GlvBgXV0MPXtF3ZyU6JbMDICQ3QnW2QRXNrLV84Jq6HA/s1600/DSC02995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAp-qD1KOqtMMOK9SZWvUNro-ocD0TSk-KsKZOcdqyEMPc1UH6ehcJ7QV3Xob1ItgDc72NAGju4kfGJK-VeSzaGLDF6GlvBgXV0MPXtF3ZyU6JbMDICQ3QnW2QRXNrLV84Jq6HA/s320/DSC02995.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJg_q9KegjuGR9DUxJ57MrgvJzodqXR-c_BhnqMcje6QVu_3IX8iIgZG5Gxz5hyKXHL-yskpiraILTJ2p9ZgVGXu1tcQtltfwooIUf6qkODEh24F5Ieqi5lUiP3lZrUwnVjv8Ug/s1600/DSC02997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCJg_q9KegjuGR9DUxJ57MrgvJzodqXR-c_BhnqMcje6QVu_3IX8iIgZG5Gxz5hyKXHL-yskpiraILTJ2p9ZgVGXu1tcQtltfwooIUf6qkODEh24F5Ieqi5lUiP3lZrUwnVjv8Ug/s320/DSC02997.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmkWgdbRnweHHD5rNA4VtrkUkwi2vEs-Ni1MJVgiVxIcmMlQKq_Nea1gClk5WavdGAUzafTWs6RSGUHizEIgNJU-tja1DH0NxFaRPVbGIx0a508OELCbG2kvOUao949EokMbKRw/s1600/DSC02994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmkWgdbRnweHHD5rNA4VtrkUkwi2vEs-Ni1MJVgiVxIcmMlQKq_Nea1gClk5WavdGAUzafTWs6RSGUHizEIgNJU-tja1DH0NxFaRPVbGIx0a508OELCbG2kvOUao949EokMbKRw/s320/DSC02994.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
The lovely, little settee where I sat and wrote my travel notes is now gone from the parlor, and has been replaced by a small table and two chairs. I could say I missed it, but in truth it squeaked and was so unstable that I could just picture myself sprawled across it's broken parts, in the middle of the floor. When it comes to the wall bedecked with stuffed, wild game, my perspective has changed. I used to love peering at the crocodile on top of a wardrobe closet, from the small window in the 2nd floor hallway. This time I contented myself with looking up at it from my chair.</div>
<div align="justify">
<br />
</div>
<div align="justify">
No matter which room you stay in, whether it be the smaller rooms facing toward the garden or the front rooms facing the river, at Belle Etoile you will always get a room with a view. But even better you can also have breakfast or dinner at the hotel since they have a wonderful restaurant on site.</div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
</div>
<div align="justify">
The Restaurant Belle Etoile is divided into 3 spaces. As you walk through the courtyard, up the stairs and through the front door, to your left is the formal, country French dining room. This room is also used for breakfast which the hotel provides for an extra 10 euro per day, per person and it is optional. It’s a charming, comfortable room with a bar that opens in the afternoon. You may have your drink while sitting in this room or you may opt to take it to the informal terrace.</div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<h1>
</h1>
<div align="justify">
The terrace is perfect for a sunny afternoon and now that the grape arbor is beautifully filled out, it provides a cool, shaded, al fresco, dining experience. It’s tempting to pick a grape during the season, but I’ve managed to resist thus far. During the evenings, I prefer the 2 indoor dining spaces. Just behind the terrace, is the 3rd dining room.</div>
<div align="justify">
<br />
</div>
<div align="justify">
My favorite space is this elegant, formal dining room, still French in feel, but not “country”. It looks onto the small back garden that is seen from the back of the building, as well as toward the terrace. The menu is the same in all three spaces, the dishes served are exceptional, and the only recommendation to be made is that the menu could change with more frequency. Some of the selections we were offered in 2014 were the same as they were in 2011. Dining there 2 of 4 evenings in the same week was difficult and left several of us choosing the same entree, just because there was only one non meat entree and no nightly special available. The menu has no vegetarian entree, but I’m certain the kitchen would accommodate the special need upon request. I’ll try asking on my next visit.</div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
</div>
<div align="justify">
After the bread and mini baguettes are delivered to the table in a small basket, filled with one of each item per person, you can expect to receive an amuse bouche, compliments of the chef. On the first occasion we were served a wild mushroom, creamed soup, another time we received a creamed winter squash or pumpkin soup. Both were flavorful and seasoned to perfection. I was happy to see the mushroom soup with cepes (porcini mushrooms) and creme fraiche served again.</div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
</div>
<div align="justify">
It’s safe to say that you could easily be offered a prawn appetizer, since we now have photographic evidence of two different preparations. The cold prawns served over eggplant and a ginger tart was the most recent of these appetizers, but as good as it was, the earlier offering of breaded and fried prawns, with potato slices covered in balsamic glazed shallots, was my preferred choice. This year a monkfish carpaccio marinated in lemon juice was on the menu. There was also a red wine poached foie gras, however it would be difficult to improve on the foie gras that came with a drinkable pear compote imbued with walnut and vanilla. After rereading the older menu, I regret not having tried the foie gras with caramelized apples and black pudding. Since the Dordogne is foie gras country, rest assured, you will find it on the menu in several variations.</div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
</div>
<div align="justify">
The small grey snails cooked in a Pot-au-feu broth of mixed herbs, covered in a puff pastry was beautiful to behold and delicious as well. It was more than an appetizer, it was an event. Now for my favorite appetizer, mercifully on the menu every time we have been to Belle Etoile, Cocotte style eggs (coddled) with crayfish and morel mushrooms in a chicory cream sauce. Everyone at our table swooned with their first mouthful.</div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
</div>
<div align="justify">
If you have to choose between a filet topped with potatoes, or a tenderloin topped with foie gras, could you make a wrong decision? I know the meat looks like a tenderloin, but I even checked my travel notes and the foie gras definitely came with the duck.</div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
</div>
<div align="justify">
Okay, you prefer lighter proteins like fish or chicken; you still can’t go wrong at Restaurant La Belle Etoile. Perfectly cooked sea bass was on the menu with mussels, a lemon fennel sauce, and the most interesting vegetable presentation. Buttered, shredded carrots were baked inside crispy phyllo dough. The free range chicken had black truffles layered under the skin before roasting and was served with a truffle risotto. I like the way the wing drumette was included with a grated cheese tuile. </div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
</div>
<div align="justify">
One year we were given the choice of duck fillet, which was a sliced duck breast. It was served with a gratin of pasta using Cantal cheese, another wonderful French cow’s milk cheese. The presentation of ziti with the cheese was beautiful as well as almost architectural and one day I may use that idea for presentation at home. Lamb is another meat that is well prepared at this restaurant and with very generous portions. The hazelnut crust was memorable, but I’m not sure of the vegetable at this late date. It may have been parsnip with a cream sauce.</div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
</div>
<div align="justify">
Ordering cognac is a nice start for dessert. To finish, the restaurant served complimentary cannelles and pate de fruit. Better yet are the desserts themselves, some being unique and others very classic. The mixed berries with red currant sorbet and a meringue were very refreshing on a warm evening.</div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
</div>
<div align="justify">
Rhum Baba is one of the classic French desserts and this one was served with house made vanilla ice cream and whipped cream. The rum was poured over it at the table; a nice little touch. Creme Brulee is another classic, however, this version seems denser than most and even richer tasting. The dessert that seems proprietary for Belle Etoile is the strawberry dish covered in a sweet pistachio foam and covered by a pistachio tuile.<br />
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
</div>
<div align="justify">
Two desserts that were new to us were the fried chocolate doughnuts served with vanilla ice cream and pineapple tidbits and the classic profiteroles with a new twist. Instead of vanilla ice cream, the profiteroles were served with chestnut ice cream, and whipped cream, along with the expected chocolate sauce. For those who do not like sweets, cheese is always available. This was similar to a Brie de Meaux with black truffles added by the chef.</div>
<div align="justify">
<br /></div>
<div align="justify">
</div>
<div align="justify">
How did I manage to forget the wine? La Belle Etoile has an excellent, yet non cumbersome, wine list that includes French wines that enhance your dining experience; picked expressly for the food they serve. Their cuisine reflects the very best of what the Perigord region has to offer the world.</div>
<h4>
<strong><a href="http://www.hotel-belle-etoile-dordogne.fr/gb/lieux.htm">La Belle Etoile Website</a></strong></h4>
Vita d'Orohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12264556946744893084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28489671.post-59059493389788805522014-09-10T12:18:00.000-07:002015-06-21T20:57:14.931-07:00Mercat Santa Caterina in Barcelona<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-afOjjiKmxZs/VYYBJgoAdbI/AAAAAAAALwY/WuVdp-xDGWs/s1600-h/DSC00556%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00556" border="0" alt="DSC00556" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i2nRbwrqCMg/VYYBKCheLwI/AAAAAAAALwg/tBHlywJbQoo/DSC00556_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="410" height="308"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ryiICzHSTh8/VYYBLBd24ZI/AAAAAAAALwo/jn7AcU7kjWA/s1600-h/DSC00578%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00578" border="0" alt="DSC00578" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-24zpEQjv02Q/VYYBL1OBK-I/AAAAAAAALww/NzG-daB3wcQ/DSC00578_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="410" height="309"></a> <p align="justify">The name of the photographer, who shot the poster photo directly above, is unknown so I cannot give credit nor thanks. Still, I think the roof needs to be shown, since it is the nicest feature of the mercato. I kept reading on the Internet how expensive La Boqueria was, so before I went back there, I decided to locate the other famous mercato in Barrio Gotic, named Santa Caterina. After being quoted a price per pound for porcini mushrooms that was double what was clearly written on the neighboring stall, it occurred to me that this market was not necessarily tourist friendly. With this experience clearly in mind, special attention was paid to stalls that had marked prices and I all but ignored those that didn’t. </p> <p align="justify"></p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ln7F2ZEh6Yk/VYYBMpWGwOI/AAAAAAAAMIA/xEy7kdOkVDU/s1600-h/DSC00559%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00559" border="0" alt="DSC00559" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jzjol_hEzKs/VYYBNT88jyI/AAAAAAAAMIM/SlFaKCgbDbY/DSC00559_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="448" height="337"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mvN2hr9Hdo4/VYYCjSGMByI/AAAAAAAALzI/u2777q8j1iA/s1600-h/DSC00582%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00582" border="0" alt="DSC00582" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LWnb77r5MTc/VYYCj8N1s0I/AAAAAAAALzU/gzDBEpy4mvo/DSC00582_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="200" height="158"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zN3ybhxRkw4/VYYClFuZWgI/AAAAAAAALzg/J91IfoCkh4I/s1600-h/DSC00584%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00584" border="0" alt="DSC00584" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sxbHGxLpJTE/VYYCliW7t1I/AAAAAAAALzs/0r6fL3AGM70/DSC00584_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="209" height="158"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hSJASEThv2s/VYYCmXtexxI/AAAAAAAAL1A/wJqRJ2yyh9U/s1600-h/DSC00583%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00583" border="0" alt="DSC00583" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_dNsrxC7UYQ/VYYCp2G9FjI/AAAAAAAAL1M/ogYL_N92J9c/DSC00583_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="203" height="158"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vs58opYupMk/VYYCqWbV3GI/AAAAAAAAL1Y/DmlwQg-OZoU/s1600-h/DSC00585%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00585" border="0" alt="DSC00585" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VVUANuPNt0A/VYYCrO7-4QI/AAAAAAAAL1k/6BHO808Qwag/DSC00585_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="206" height="158"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qhtFRG5jKo8/VYYICjzRmDI/AAAAAAAAMG4/rTpYIM0e5rE/s1600-h/DSC00586%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00586" border="0" alt="DSC00586" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V6WL2HTwXbA/VYYIDP5tjfI/AAAAAAAAMHE/5vNpvG2ZXFA/DSC00586_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="448" height="337"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WvGv5fB12bk/VYYIEv0l_jI/AAAAAAAAL7g/DI2KzWD2W2A/s1600-h/DSC00587%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00587" border="0" alt="DSC00587" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hr8i0O8QYyI/VYYIE9_qgHI/AAAAAAAAL7s/TQ4LlKSlHvU/DSC00587_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="205" height="157"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5ybPXN6CldY/VYYIFnyScpI/AAAAAAAAL8U/1xokAd8_D-I/s1600-h/DSC00588%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00588" border="0" alt="DSC00588" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xXklvGM0z-E/VYYIGMdrGjI/AAAAAAAAL8g/F7APScK4PWU/DSC00588_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="200" height="157"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r_ngQVzWE1A/VYYIGyoqp0I/AAAAAAAAL_U/ZzF_hPCfifE/s1600-h/DSC00589%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00589" border="0" alt="DSC00589" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-39iTCmsvGLA/VYYIHhRsqAI/AAAAAAAAL_g/Z2oV7MlpzJQ/DSC00589_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="150"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DN_J4gx3MVA/VYYIIdl7z-I/AAAAAAAAL_s/gbRHX118Dzo/s1600-h/DSC00591%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00591" border="0" alt="DSC00591" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j6ZEd4Y_qZY/VYYII2D-5dI/AAAAAAAAL_4/Q1Ai2kQNc-s/DSC00591_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="200" height="150"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R7jjGB8ZJwA/VYYIJlydEZI/AAAAAAAAMIY/3svn-GSyHIA/s1600-h/DSC00592%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00592" border="0" alt="DSC00592" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OUt6nZmifG0/VYYIKIYfM1I/AAAAAAAAMIk/nCgFk3lGWRo/DSC00592_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="449" height="337"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EzR6KXsndZk/VYYIK1PkFZI/AAAAAAAAL3Y/-l42chOlG70/s1600-h/DSC00590%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00590" border="0" alt="DSC00590" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AMpdIhW-oBk/VYYILHAry2I/AAAAAAAAL3c/VIqwUh2unKM/DSC00590_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="203" height="153"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dXCCjBbmGYU/VYYIL0Hra8I/AAAAAAAAL3o/rh_s8Vh3scs/s1600-h/DSC00593%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00593" border="0" alt="DSC00593" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-131TtufS5Bk/VYYIMZr561I/AAAAAAAAL3w/vA-Dsr8sAx8/DSC00593_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="202" height="152"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1qhSt3HrJYA/VYYObUrXmvI/AAAAAAAAMHo/CZL2gfaYbYU/s1600-h/DSC00576%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00576" border="0" alt="DSC00576" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9BQtkkaDAGk/VYYOcQKR2wI/AAAAAAAAMH0/4bRL04ix-fk/DSC00576_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="447" height="336"></a> </p> <p align="justify">I don’t recall ever seeing produce being sold from a refrigerated case before, but this produce was lovingly groomed and attended by greengrocers who appreciated the quality of what they were selling and wanted their patrons to know how special it was. They were making a good case for the reason they were not offering bargain prices. There were more exotic fruits than I had expected, including the shocking pink dragon fruit with the round, black seeds. The mushrooms were virtually unknown to me except for the porcini. Even though I had a kitchen at my disposal, I didn’t buy any, and in retrospect, regret the failed opportunity, especially since I had rented an apartment expressly for the purpose of cooking local ingredients that I may never have tasted before.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--7PkEaZmiuw/VYYBPODRF4I/AAAAAAAALxI/aRKgSN9wkWA/s1600-h/DSC00561%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00561" border="0" alt="DSC00561" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-plHRdpMgi9s/VYYBPad6owI/AAAAAAAALxM/v4VsxXTbtg4/DSC00561_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="197" height="149"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q2iLFVdP7bA/VYYBROvVA4I/AAAAAAAALxY/wTl6aBQsOfY/s1600-h/DSC00558%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00558" border="0" alt="DSC00558" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rP64J54T_78/VYYBRrjxYOI/AAAAAAAALxc/IcqNl9v9b5g/DSC00558_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="196" height="148"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CCLHJVl_3qk/VYYBSXsd7MI/AAAAAAAALxo/fdfBH6YJDQ0/s1600-h/DSC00564%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00564" border="0" alt="DSC00564" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zbonMqR_ldY/VYYBS4s0NsI/AAAAAAAALxs/YGBgfuqe5zk/DSC00564_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="196" height="148"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HsCbNbejwNg/VYYBTmIc5QI/AAAAAAAAL34/5lvm-DasBuw/s1600-h/DSC00563%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00563" border="0" alt="DSC00563" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-icnp6FpEZdg/VYYBUNcxm2I/AAAAAAAAL4A/2IecbDqqdUA/DSC00563_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="198" height="148"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k-Prvu-rhoM/VYYIPsAj5YI/AAAAAAAAL4Q/cqNpyqViw7I/s1600-h/DSC00567%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00567" border="0" alt="DSC00567" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4xVDDi6trlE/VYYIQJjvuDI/AAAAAAAAL4U/KWhPtYvyHuY/DSC00567_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="196" height="147"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9CzQ_aY9eFM/VYYIQ9GH5NI/AAAAAAAAMCs/Ocu4IcYOKK0/s1600-h/DSC00566%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00566" border="0" alt="DSC00566" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ov3H3Vtb5FE/VYYIRSC_BtI/AAAAAAAAMC4/VgYYV5If6i4/DSC00566_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="198" height="147"></a></p> <p align="justify">The market was large, clean and had a great diversity of goods that it was selling. It would be difficult to not find what you were looking for amongst all the stalls and shops. In the photos above you can see wine, deli items, prepared foods to go, saffron, nuts and dried fruits, fresh spices and seeds. There was a good selection of olive oils and paprika made by many different companies. Marcona almonds, a Spanish delicacy, were in short supply and that surprised me although with a price over 23 euros for a kilo, how many vendors would want to invest in them?</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7K6bhqMqbmA/VYYOezcQFrI/AAAAAAAAMEM/YGsW9r58WAw/s1600-h/DSC00573%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00573" border="0" alt="DSC00573" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_2wfoBSuqe8/VYYOf5N2cBI/AAAAAAAAMEY/XWaN60nmxec/DSC00573_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="198" height="152"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sclZhyb02w0/VYYITHjqasI/AAAAAAAAL5A/e2YdXnyliqw/s1600-h/DSC00570%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00570" border="0" alt="DSC00570" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zuPKep0bbpM/VYYITlWswMI/AAAAAAAAL5E/EVL8ACukMGg/DSC00570_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="197" height="152"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-boQ86ydEhIQ/VYYIUaSkQBI/AAAAAAAAL5Q/eTDwEP9UnOY/s1600-h/DSC00571%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00571" border="0" alt="DSC00571" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HWCT58iiZes/VYYIU7qyeHI/AAAAAAAAL5U/qfJtAYhOFWg/DSC00571_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="195" height="152"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jhSVM3Bm39k/VYYOh64TSnI/AAAAAAAAMAo/vtlAdk18MuE/s1600-h/DSC00574%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00574" border="0" alt="DSC00574" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M2jSB1ww6XY/VYYOmIJh00I/AAAAAAAAMAw/AfWlISornmw/DSC00574_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="201" height="152"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rVouF1Mma-s/VYYIVljHRfI/AAAAAAAAMA4/vN2J5-sUZTQ/s1600-h/DSC00572%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00572" border="0" alt="DSC00572" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nO1uqd_89EY/VYYIWGHhZAI/AAAAAAAAMBE/ZFhx-NxaRxE/DSC00572_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="200" height="152"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j9ETbQecTOg/VYYIW8-8GAI/AAAAAAAAMFY/nilRnmEou_M/s1600-h/DSC00569%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00569" border="0" alt="DSC00569" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CTtvXJbZKRg/VYYIXTlnp-I/AAAAAAAAMFk/OA3Ux7oYB2s/DSC00569_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="195" height="152"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VZH5_O6xTMg/VYYPAOuQPwI/AAAAAAAAME8/G9XksztZN3E/s1600-h/DSC00575%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00575" border="0" alt="DSC00575" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tgdIPcHqvSU/VYYPCFiLvXI/AAAAAAAAMFI/Mf877aWGoNI/DSC00575_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="199" height="152"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zlhHw9FIkZ4/VYYISOh3OLI/AAAAAAAAMIw/ZDmRNkXFQXI/s1600-h/DSC00562%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00562" border="0" alt="DSC00562" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Up6kNoRfQJ4/VYYISc0_v2I/AAAAAAAAMI8/sOPWScyIRrM/DSC00562_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="198" height="152"></a> </p> <p align="justify">Bacalla was king, but shellfish and other fish still had a presence here. Spanish cheese seemed well represented as did the olives with so many to choose from. The meat looked rich and red, but I don’t know if it was aged. Beef in Europe never seems as good as what we find here at home with the exception of Chianina beef from Tuscany in Italy. </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cyvnVtEo5DI/VYeHMndxo4I/AAAAAAAAMKk/bkYaI6AxU78/s1600-h/DSC00557%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC00557" border="0" alt="DSC00557" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cuXwrWs3iYs/VYeHNDyL1dI/AAAAAAAAMKw/qRC4QxNrcwk/DSC00557_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="220" height="166"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D2L17IOs6EA/VYYwbzETtII/AAAAAAAAMK8/mxVF8Kizoro/s1600-h/DSC00579%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC00579" border="0" alt="DSC00579" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XmAqrZV75tg/VYYwdCAkNII/AAAAAAAAMLI/GmkeVvRD8-4/DSC00579_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="220" height="166"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EJefXlor5O0/VYYweAPHZbI/AAAAAAAAMJY/TmLYHr0l2Aw/s1600-h/DSC00594%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00594" border="0" alt="DSC00594" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KA5aBupKovM/VYYwe2_uSUI/AAAAAAAAMJg/j1l0a15tQkg/DSC00594_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="222" height="167"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VlYBPAEyStQ/VYeHLfC5xSI/AAAAAAAAMKA/BEwMzveVI1U/s1600-h/DSC00581%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00581" border="0" alt="DSC00581" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zdP2pKVL8W0/VYYwgOHSieI/AAAAAAAAMKI/ghrm12uM4F0/DSC00581_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="216" height="166"></a> </p> <p align="justify">Along the front side of the market building were many small restaurants and cafes. Vendors were going in for a quick snack or coffee and it appeared that many people knew one another. As tourists, we were really fish out of water here, but the service was pleasant and we felt comfortable. After seeing the dragon fruit, and all the fruit drinks for sale at the market I decided to try strawberry mixed with coconut milk. Just as we were leaving, it started raining so we took cover and had a tea and a latte. The coffee was robust. </p> Vita d'Orohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12264556946744893084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28489671.post-56574916282048169172014-09-09T17:17:00.000-07:002015-06-25T19:08:59.454-07:00OliSoliva, a Must See Gourmet Shop in Barcelona<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0_Rim9b12T4/VYoMP6LpWHI/AAAAAAAAMLo/zpFCvGFaBaU/s1600-h/DSC00604%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00604" border="0" alt="DSC00604" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9-GTGk2kLJA/VYoMSQv7EUI/AAAAAAAAMLw/CbJiUEhpi5c/DSC00604_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GR4NAogb33g/VYoMU4le-mI/AAAAAAAAML4/98O1hIHnHJw/s1600-h/DSC00603%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00603" border="0" alt="DSC00603" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nabK2LMmBqE/VYoMW_BfKAI/AAAAAAAAMMA/mUKTzxcAKvw/DSC00603_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <br> <div align="justify">While wandering the stalls at Mercat Santa Caterina in Barcelona, a glass enclosed, stand alone shop caught my eye. The windows were filled with extra virgin olive oils from all over Spain and perhaps elsewhere. As I walked into the shop, it was apparent that even though it specialized in olive oils, it also had other gourmet items in stock. </div><br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E7D4mJ5G3JM/VYoMa-LsOcI/AAAAAAAAMMI/XCrlEt98JoU/s1600-h/DSC00602%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00602" border="0" alt="DSC00602" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ubdGdGlEvTY/VYoMcv4vdXI/AAAAAAAAMMQ/6hk4k762Gso/DSC00602_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="393" height="296"></a><br> <div align="justify">Extra virgin olive oil, if you don’t already know, is cold pressed and has not lost any nutritional value that occurs when processing with heat. It comes from the first press of the olives and has less than .8% acidity. The next press of virgin olive oil has a higher acidity of up to 1.5% but has not been adulterated with solvent processing. Further refining can lower the acidity but also limit the natural color and flavor. Oils that have been labeled as pure olive oil or olive oil are made from refined virgin olive oil, and have been filtered through charcoal or by chemical or mechanical means. The acidity may be lower, but they do not have a strong olive taste.<br><br></div> <div align="justify">Acidity levels are crucial for taste. Olive oils made with 1% acidity or higher have a decidedly bitter taste. You can do a comparison with Turkish and Greek extra virgin olive oils which are generally 1% or higher, and with an Italian extra virgin, that is traditionally lower in acidity. Since some labels do not list acidity level, you can’t go wrong with an extra virgin. Even though Spain produces much of the world’s olive oil, over 40%, it may also import olives from other countries, so check the label to make sure the olives are Spanish in origin, which will insure that it is made from Spanish varietals. The use of 100% olives of a particular variety makes a very distinctive oil.</div> <div align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N3P-NeQltl4/VYoMh7YMUVI/AAAAAAAAMMY/CBB1azuDhQs/s1600-h/DSC00605%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00605" border="0" alt="DSC00605" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-snUc9qr_EP0/VYoMovoRcqI/AAAAAAAAMMg/FTROdsblMp4/DSC00605_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="623" height="469"></a></div> <div align="justify">The range of extra virgin olive oils offered by this shop is extensive, and their oils are, indeed, predominantly Spanish. The varietals like Arbequina, Hojiblanca and Picual are often used exclusively for one oil and those oils are labeled as 100%, as you can see on the L’Estornell bottle in the photo above. Although I have purchased each of these varietal oils, I cannot truly distinguish between them, since the bottles were opened one at a time. On my next trip to Spain, I hope to buy more and do an actual taste test. Here are some links concerning the 3 brands pictured above. I found them very interesting: <a href="http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ca&u=http://olilescabanes.com/en/store/olive-oil-extra-virgin-les-cabanes-2-liters&prev=search">Les Cabanes</a> <a href="http://www.vea.es/688_english/estornell.php">L'Estornell</a> <a href="http://www.oliveoiltimes.com/guide/oli-de-pau">Oli de Pao</a></div> <div align="justify"><br></div> <div align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Hs351EZ1GSA/VYoMtDapD4I/AAAAAAAAMMo/4WHPgguVWg4/s1600-h/DSC00606%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00606" border="0" alt="DSC00606" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eE8SS8KWyUw/VYoMt2JKiVI/AAAAAAAAMMw/FHncOqnPa8E/DSC00606_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="340" height="453"></a></div> <div align="justify">Flavored olive oils were present, but I must say, I wish we would start seeing more variety of flavors. You can find many citrus flavored oils, red pepper flavored, garlic flavored, basil flavored and Truffle flavored olive oils, but other herb flavored olive oils are few and far between. The French do make thyme, sage, and rosemary flavored oils as well as lavender flavored olive oil. My favorite American brand is <a href="http://sunshineinabottle.com/">Sciabica</a>. They make the most incredible jalapeno flavored oil that is not as hot as most people expect, but intensifies the flavor of every green vegetable I have tried it on, and works beautifully in everything you want to brighten in flavor. I love frying eggs in it. They also make a lavender that I use in my original recipe for <a href="http://www.justafoodierecipeblog.blogspot.com/2009/04/lavender-short-bread-fingers.html">Lavender Shortbread</a>, and a habanero that would knock your socks off if you used more than a drop. In the Dordogne area of southern France I found porcini, chanterelle, and morel flavored oils, produced by a farmer, but he was not at the same market in Sarlat when I returned a few years later. Those were incredible and I fear they are gone forever.</div> <div align="justify"><br></div> <div align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-drTAXE4qkk8/VYoMu-a2waI/AAAAAAAAMM4/riHljZyViIg/s1600-h/DSC00599%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00599" border="0" alt="DSC00599" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sRlaRQnbxYQ/VYoMv-hKpOI/AAAAAAAAMNA/7mQtsLOKrEk/DSC00599_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="497" height="374"></a></div> <div align="justify">Sea salt from the Spanish island of Ibiza caught my eye, since I collect salts while on vacation. I bought a small carton, but now regret that I passed on the beautiful ceramic jar seen in this photo. I also purchased a bag of salt, as a gift for a dear friend who loved to cook but could no longer travel.</div> <div align="justify"><br></div> <div align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PCKQsm_i2qU/VYoMxHEkBOI/AAAAAAAAMNI/O9qJ1QTF_E0/s1600-h/DSC00601%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00601" border="0" alt="DSC00601" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IzjPQRJjvlk/VYoMyzT9YMI/AAAAAAAAMNQ/RqnC82_uSps/DSC00601_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="496" height="374"></a> </div> <div align="justify">Himalayan salt is becoming more common, but I admit to never having seen the other two shown in this photo. I did however suspect that the Viking salt may have been smoked, judging by its unusual color. Here is a link to the company: <a href="http://www.terreexotique.fr/en/eboutique/produit/90/viking-smoked-salt-225g">Terre Exotique</a> . They say the recipe was actually handed down from Viking times. The website of this French purveyor of fine foods is one I will study before traveling abroad, because it lists stores that sell their products. One in Paris is already on my list of stores to visit.</div> <div align="justify"><br></div> <div align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rYDf4eph3mo/VYoM0InLRJI/AAAAAAAAMNY/ek8WLgWWWCI/s1600-h/DSC00598%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00598" border="0" alt="DSC00598" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PHRHAOX2DLw/VYoM2jAlFEI/AAAAAAAAMNg/TWpfWMDKbuI/DSC00598_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="489" height="367"></a></div> <div align="justify">If you’re going to sell salt, why not salted anchovies? Both of these containers were beautiful, and I prefer salted anchovies, but my suitcase space was limited as it was, and I found these during the 1st week of a month long trip. At least I know where to find them again.</div><br><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b4B0rydbgIU/VYoM4qCz1gI/AAAAAAAAMNo/yHAp-ywkcyU/s1600-h/DSC00596%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00596" border="0" alt="DSC00596" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i5BlGC7GarU/VYoM6Pf-1dI/AAAAAAAAMNw/eaYl-oATYyQ/DSC00596_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="490" height="396"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YOb0INkSfi0/VYoM7kewXVI/AAAAAAAAMN4/ivI-O6ZmTDk/s1600-h/DSC00597%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00597" border="0" alt="DSC00597" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4DD3YmCxCdc/VYoM8bSay4I/AAAAAAAAMOA/9soxQ5m4Xzk/DSC00597_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="491" height="369"></a> <br> <div align="justify">Caviaroli is the name of my favorite product sold at OliSoliva. They are small gelatin pearls filled with flavored oils and I think they would make a fine addition to an appetizer or two. The bright yellow Caviaroli encapsulates hazelnut oil. Other flavors offered were rosemary olive oil, basil olive oil and piment de esplette olive oil. These seem to be standardized flavors delivered in a most modern and sophisticated manner. Imagine the burst of flavor as you bite into one. Here is a link with more information about this product produced in Barcelona. <a href="http://caviaroli.eu/productos/">Caviaroli</a></div> <div align="justify"><br></div> <div align="justify">Avenida Francesc Cambó, 153 -154-155 ( Mercado De Santa Catalina )</div> <div align="justify">08003 Barcelona, Spain</div> <div align="justify">Phone:+34 932 68 14 72 </div> Vita d'Orohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12264556946744893084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28489671.post-54710603044992909642014-09-08T07:16:00.000-07:002015-07-06T18:11:28.136-07:00La Boqueria, Mercat Sant Josep<p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R28zBErF29E/VYrIb_RxtNI/AAAAAAAAMag/2qzoByG4w_w/s1600-h/DSC00416%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00416" border="0" alt="DSC00416" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-02nqUxXqOUo/VYrIdpvJGQI/AAAAAAAAMao/ozLKj6-HzLw/DSC00416_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="185"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TO0jgc_R20s/VYrIgVe1HAI/AAAAAAAAMa4/HPxfkbBOp64/s1600-h/DSC00414%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00414" border="0" alt="DSC00414" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5y-1KYNiGeE/VYrIkw9HjgI/AAAAAAAAMbE/34ajObpAEVw/DSC00414_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="140" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vf9sRnA9YS0/VYy1xVNsOTI/AAAAAAAAMZ4/nSK6Ksl7jes/s1600-h/DSC01651%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01651" border="0" alt="DSC01651" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PFkmIwALTTI/VYy1yGCJT1I/AAAAAAAAMaA/um9mDPOthjw/DSC01651_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="305"></a> </p> <p></p> <p align="justify">It pains me, as an American, to find a Dunkin Donuts next door to La Boqueria, the ultimate, Spanish, covered market. It’s doubtful that many people even notice the junk food purveyor, because the draw of the market is so palpable. People seem so animated as they get closer to the market. The intense colors of the produce and foods on offer lure them under the big top into a carnival atmosphere where indulgence is easily accomplished.</p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qhBIplcPlZg/VYrIn5oenxI/AAAAAAAAMOw/vWHWUp3ZCPE/s1600-h/DSC00417%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00417" border="0" alt="DSC00417" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D6z2i8vkXBk/VYrIpAUjN4I/AAAAAAAAMO4/NRgYwAERIrU/DSC00417_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S2_SHLhXvuI/VYrIsGunsCI/AAAAAAAAMPA/DkJTPJAcO1o/s1600-h/DSC00938%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00938" border="0" alt="DSC00938" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4AZQjye7XZA/VYrItnSosmI/AAAAAAAAMPI/COdWdNDIQ28/DSC00938_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bnxr_a6pTfI/VYrIu71LbNI/AAAAAAAAMbo/PtP49yy9Vn0/s1600-h/DSC00939%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00939" border="0" alt="DSC00939" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--fkPDzmy2zg/VYrIv0i_C5I/AAAAAAAAMb0/sPfGOrtq4qQ/DSC00939_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="502" height="379"></a></p> <p align="justify">The first stall on the right, as you walk toward the portal, is a shrine to the patron saint of Spanish cuisine, “jamon”, salt cured pork. Until you experience this Spanish version of prosciutto, you would be unable to understand the distinction between them. Although they are both made from pig hind quarters, they are different animals entirely.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MZF5AwKAweg/VYrIxGXfFNI/AAAAAAAAMPg/sNxnSJHmaQs/s1600-h/DSC00940%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00940" border="0" alt="DSC00940" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uECcAy4njIo/VYrIyqgnOeI/AAAAAAAAMPo/YdKJPfNnEd4/DSC00940_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="549" height="413"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rvr5m2JidCs/VYrI1cbMUfI/AAAAAAAAMPw/tMrYAFVcGqk/s1600-h/DSC00942%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00942" border="0" alt="DSC00942" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-coGh_uzdeHc/VYrI2npKVuI/AAAAAAAAMP4/VMMg9V1Y5EY/DSC00942_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PhDY29YVbxQ/VYrI3mUuDoI/AAAAAAAAMQA/Scfj2yq8IrY/s1600-h/DSC00941%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00941" border="0" alt="DSC00941" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzYrrEfR8yZ_hn16rx8acfmRFh3ySNC6pU9clbcOCkt3IPPubrrY0YunOdvcSO0hvGFl6mAZ-GYlpXCIAEoMjmyCJ73LYbn8_atqQh82Mqi9A26Vpo1HPG_6v6SAp7xROs2oGhw/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d6O_4cj3MWQ/VYrI-GMCq5I/AAAAAAAAMQQ/O2hIvlAEhMw/s1600-h/DSC00978%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00978" border="0" alt="DSC00978" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-11rL8zBGKUc/VYrI__ykfHI/AAAAAAAAMQY/aPWIMUrwmU0/DSC00978_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="547" height="411"></a></p> <p align="justify">Jamon is a general term, but it comes in variations such as Serrano jamon which is prevalent throughout the country, representing 90% of jamon production, and has been cured in mountainous areas since Roman times. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MoG4uLHLSH4/VYrJDSKiCvI/AAAAAAAAMQg/HTqaQKBS2e8/s1600-h/DSC01331%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01331" border="0" alt="DSC01331" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KVzNNWOBU8A/VYrJEc0U9AI/AAAAAAAAMQo/nO-DEhuCDwY/DSC01331_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vSrsFGmleIY/VYrJHPTXc6I/AAAAAAAAMQw/bdhqIr4GMGU/s1600-h/DSC00906%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00906" border="0" alt="DSC00906" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2sZ7Q1sYFHg/VYrJKL7h57I/AAAAAAAAMQ4/BZDZYJgt6cA/DSC00906_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p align="justify">Jamon Iberico is also prevalent all over the country, but has the distinction of coming from a specific breed of pig, the black Iberico, the original swine of Spain, as depicted in prehistoric cave paintings. Because of the amount of fat in these animals, they are able to cure for 2-4 years and develop very complex flavors with a slight sweetness. </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5_sx22dO72Y/VYrJKwNAJOI/AAAAAAAAMcA/4vHdwIDAsrA/s1600-h/DSC00912%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00912" border="0" alt="DSC00912" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q_pm7Edkemg/VYrJL2JRN-I/AAAAAAAAMcM/ALg3zHjgKXc/DSC00912_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="495" height="371"></a></p> <p align="justify">Of the different varieties I tasted, it was the Bellota jamon or Jamom Iberico de Bellota that I found to be the most distinctive in taste. The mouth feel was silky, due to the highly marbled fat, and the flavor was distinctly sweeter and nuttier than even the Iberico. This all occurs because the pigs are encouraged to gorge on acorns, before being sacrificed for food production. Although the fat in the photo is not more yellow in color, as is common for this type of ham, the taste was exquisite and this was definitely Bellota in taste and texture. Here are links to very helpful information on the different types of jamon: <a href="http://www.jamon.com/serrano.html">Jamon Serrano</a> <a href="http://www.jamon.com/iberico.html">Jamon Iberico</a></p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hSYKym4Hvhw/VZFuK5C0jUI/AAAAAAAANMg/nQWFa_8vOFM/s1600-h/DSC01587%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01587" border="0" alt="DSC01587" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O7JmLBGynBM/VZFuMe8Jd_I/AAAAAAAANMs/iLr66i7DoB8/DSC01587_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="667" height="501"></a></p> <p align="justify">The produce stalls in this market were plentiful and each one showed pride of ownership. The standard of quality was high and the competition kept it that way. Anyone being able to shop at La Boqueria on a weekly basis should consider themselves very fortunate.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zzS4647jXjM/VYydQokNIYI/AAAAAAAAMRg/Nu9SztbfoNA/s1600-h/DSC00945%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00945" border="0" alt="DSC00945" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aGsLqukxxhU/VYydSJmEWQI/AAAAAAAAMRo/flvloX2Axss/DSC00945_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EAHI0_2upC0/VYydS83rprI/AAAAAAAAMRw/V5sl0xldwUc/s1600-h/DSC00943%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00943" border="0" alt="DSC00943" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NQCUe0crm34/VYydV42c6yI/AAAAAAAAMR4/Thn_PMx2SU0/DSC00943_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GNsgd96XfoE/VYydYeH5oMI/AAAAAAAAMSA/Lbn35b-l8XY/s1600-h/DSC00944%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00944" border="0" alt="DSC00944" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JK7zVpgCCw0/VYydaaguV0I/AAAAAAAAMSI/UKRvb0tordQ/DSC00944_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J0HYAInJ5bA/VYydgE4FZqI/AAAAAAAAMSo/0-lCClzuXQc/s1600-h/DSC00954%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00954" border="0" alt="DSC00954" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dg3KaZ2XQag/VYydhIzL-wI/AAAAAAAAMS0/5NX_M8TiJbk/DSC00954_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="252" height="334"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y9IRLw2PTro/VYyiSiUgm7I/AAAAAAAAMTA/z0nlxTLANJw/s1600-h/DSC01064%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01064" border="0" alt="DSC01064" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-836ejx5uO7I/VYyiTLc4jiI/AAAAAAAAMTI/Zm3nz5G_LZw/DSC01064_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="252" height="334"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vqUIHWvMuYs/VYyiUPOEUXI/AAAAAAAAMW0/uRinnugod1Q/s1600-h/DSC01004%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01004" border="0" alt="DSC01004" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-la_P7OBgT5o/VYyiU66VA5I/AAAAAAAAMXA/s1aM4b9NZzI/DSC01004_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="523" height="392"></a></p> <p align="justify">The fruits that were present in the juices, cups of mixed fruits and those sold for fresh eating were difficult to ignore. Their riot of colors were used to full advantage by the individual vendors. Flavor combinations also made everything so appealing to try. Personally, I was wowed by the bright magenta dragon fruit, polka dotted with black seeds and clothed in a thick skin of red. I could have walked away with one cut in half to eat, but I found the juice drinks impossible to resist, especially since it was hot outside, so I settled for a drink mixed with coconut milk. In hindsight, trying the fruit alone might have given me a better sense of its taste. The drink was very sweet with a chalky magenta color, but I had no inkling of how the fruit itself tasted. Perhaps it has no “flavor” but is just cloyingly sweet. This is worth further investigation.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-duGcBUDmXN0/VYyiWWGNbHI/AAAAAAAAMXk/9cmfo3beelM/s1600-h/DSC00946%25255B17%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00946" border="0" alt="DSC00946" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wQx3J5x4_oo/VYyiXejZ1QI/AAAAAAAAMXw/FyW1qk8BH00/DSC00946_thumb%25255B13%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="593" height="447"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCbBa8el-f81I6wxHkZs4Q7sLWPHJ2P7bQTZr6bi4jR0oInuiKkg8-OWMZuhVlN_p4RGJWH1BjzIb2F3J3sr6jwcbkq2LwxkuGRKphPaEmr4yfhhiRy9nlxZEiiQXbvwTv9m8ViQ/s1600-h/DSC01063%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01063" border="0" alt="DSC01063" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--V_cQbrRW84/VYyiYWtW3iI/AAAAAAAAMT4/qzlwd2JyQHc/DSC01063_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CpWIBYxMg6k/VYyiZGKDlXI/AAAAAAAAMUA/TLrM-ZyGJ5U/s1600-h/DSC01062%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01062" border="0" alt="DSC01062" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AiISBVTh8Z0/VYyiZuzRwkI/AAAAAAAAMUI/oN2j4AvdgY8/DSC01062_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j6ekwm4axho/VYyiadVEdWI/AAAAAAAAMUQ/RvXUUnz4v-M/s1600-h/DSC00947%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00947" border="0" alt="DSC00947" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t5AavpWES9Y/VYyibH6Z-CI/AAAAAAAAMUY/GvH69sMnrnc/DSC00947_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p align="justify">When I first saw the fruit salads in cups I couldn’t help but long for finding those at home. It’s not going to happen. So I’ll have to be content with mixing my own, but I vow never to visit without eating these in Barcelona. The prices were very inexpensive at La Boqueria compared to Mercat Santa Caterina. In general I found prices at La Boqueria to be inexpensive and would recommend it as a great place to go for a progressive meal, wandering between the market stalls, picking up this and that along the way. Getting back to the fruit cups, this seems like a wonderful way for the vendors to use up fruit that may be bordering on becoming too ripe. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Imb9B5JHZ1A/VYyib72J2TI/AAAAAAAAMUg/aD1D7VL5Vlc/s1600-h/DSC01061%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01061" border="0" alt="DSC01061" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-atgNfNyaozw/VYyicZY2mpI/AAAAAAAAMUo/Dsgg7zl_XNA/DSC01061_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="183" height="242"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WLI3t0A59-k/VYyidAMICYI/AAAAAAAAMUw/d0UB0uveVwE/s1600-h/DSC01099%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01099" border="0" alt="DSC01099" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t3cTVoSsEwE/VYyid_0eQGI/AAAAAAAAMU4/32k8cmtMLws/DSC01099_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="241"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-77ctJjICHAU/VYyie6b-f9I/AAAAAAAAMYs/m6yStE7jDu0/s1600-h/DSC01100%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01100" border="0" alt="DSC01100" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aZc94-sbaHU/VYyig3jgsjI/AAAAAAAAMY4/twXn-ApqFZU/DSC01100_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="524" height="394"></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="justify">One euro for 6 to 8 figs would put American grocers out of business. I loved the display of these “Cup O’ Figs” as it showed the vendor’s passion for his work. I’m afraid the best we can hope for at home is straight rows of the fruit that is not too badly bruised. </p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bjstZFbA7J4/VYzk2_NkRfI/AAAAAAAAMpA/xgPB1j5BNQQ/s1600-h/DSC00418%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00418" border="0" alt="DSC00418" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rT3KPaInAtM/VYzk3tDiXlI/AAAAAAAAMpM/Bj816LHMeCM/DSC00418_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="671" height="504"></a> </p> <p align="justify">The range of exotic fruit was quite extraordinary, especially for the month of September. I almost bought a cherimoya at the Mercat Santa Caterina, that was until I was quoted over 9 euro for it. The vendor who had no prices posted said it was because it was the first of the season. I believed him when he said that about the porcini mushrooms, but I literally “was not buying it” concerning a cherimoya.</p> <p> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DAkPdOOoLJA/VYzk4lsDiEI/AAAAAAAAMcw/Pch0tvk1kwU/s1600-h/DSC00937%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00937" border="0" alt="DSC00937" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--CGGwHFFGCs/VYzk5cH46dI/AAAAAAAAMc4/VTrXKomBJpw/DSC00937_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="346" height="260"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DKYcLJlwKtw/VYzk6MskWsI/AAAAAAAAMdA/hixwhswa5vs/s1600-h/DSC01010%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01010" border="0" alt="DSC01010" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YyJs3mBe-_M/VYzk6qHSKnI/AAAAAAAAMdI/XlkxuxjEAxo/DSC01010_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="196" height="260"></a></p> <p align="justify">The portico surrounding the market, to your right as you enter, was filled with tables and chairs of overflowing restaurants, providing an opportunity for dining al fresco. Unfortunately, there was nowhere to sit, had you decided to purchase prepared foods in the market for a spur of the moment picnic. Looking for such a place to sit, I walked down toward the back of the market to discover some produce vendors working alongside La Boqueria, but more importantly I discovered a small store. The above photo shows its front door and awning. </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IPuZI_ZE6Uc/VYzk7g69XkI/AAAAAAAAMdQ/WSp_tRemhvg/s1600-h/DSC01009%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01009" border="0" alt="DSC01009" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4YM86x743Wo/VYzk8J_HKzI/AAAAAAAAMdU/ZNFmZmTAsac/DSC01009_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1oeAKdTlZQw/VYzk85LB7kI/AAAAAAAAMdg/LJ9dG-hLLJQ/s1600-h/DSC01005%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01005" border="0" alt="DSC01005" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JPgeGYy0af4/VYzk9nbfsSI/AAAAAAAAMdk/33KI97_-W8k/DSC01005_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="justify">They seemed to specialize in grains, nuts and condiments, but they also had a proprietary line of flavored salts that was not filled with the usual suspects. We’ve certainly seen many truffle salts on grocery shelves, and I’ve seen a few chili salts and once a porcini flavored salt, however, I had not seen a mint salt nor a raspberry salt until this occasion. I swooped in and bought them on the spot. They now sit in my pantry awaiting a moment of inspiration for them to be used. The mint would work well on lamb or peas, but the raspberry flavor is going to need more time. Maybe I should develop a raspberry Margarita and rim it with this salt.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6vKC6A8wCYo/VYzk-Z3iU2I/AAAAAAAAMdw/bJkB2X8l8E8/s1600-h/DSC01007%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01007" border="0" alt="DSC01007" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dMSHEC9Z9Lo/VYzk-3jAh1I/AAAAAAAAMd4/0usY6qvuYBU/DSC01007_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CG_y6JKsltk/VYzk__FVivI/AAAAAAAAMeA/7Wy_EN1P8x8/s1600-h/DSC01008%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01008" border="0" alt="DSC01008" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GP2nuMB7ews/VYzlAcYSMKI/AAAAAAAAMeE/UueSXAX7vtw/DSC01008_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c8ko5pGsDmE/VYzlBBJylxI/AAAAAAAAMiA/hE7MgFVAPDo/s1600-h/DSC01006%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01006" border="0" alt="DSC01006" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4ZyyZOmwPtA/VYzlBqMFN4I/AAAAAAAAMiI/ZoU6dw-8d18/DSC01006_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="379"></a></p> <p align="justify">The Marcona almonds were a steal at 9 euro per pound, since I had seen them for over 12 euro at a stall selling nuts in the mercato. I bought a package and took great pleasure in cooking them when I returned home. I placed them in a saute pan, added extra virgin olive oil, and toasted them over a medium flame until lightly browned. Afterwards, I drained them on paper towels and added a flaked salt. They were perfect. <a href="http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://www.lavalenciana.com/parami.html&prev=search">Parami Website</a></p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ljZulD5iI9w/VYzlC0SVOcI/AAAAAAAAMeg/tJ7pH8uuv-k/s1600-h/DSC00949%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00949" border="0" alt="DSC00949" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kCkJrQJggtk/VYzlDacEImI/AAAAAAAAMek/vW18fdaRjZI/DSC00949_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WPzsoAyRsnk/VYzlEI6FQ8I/AAAAAAAAMew/LgAtzJExF2o/s1600-h/DSC00948%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00948" border="0" alt="DSC00948" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-10IXZ5eLdkU/VYzlFI_Jt3I/AAAAAAAAMe4/Cq9q0zBkO0c/DSC00948_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="justify">Back inside La Boqueria, little Juanito, the barrista made famous on Rick Steves’ Europe television show, is still working his magic. He’s the fellow with the broad smile and 2 thumbs up. I was not surprised to see him surrounded by American tourists as well as locals.</p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ir6MFBxPv8M/VYzlHMmuyHI/AAAAAAAAMfg/DkeZUGj6KHA/s1600-h/DSC00950%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00950" border="0" alt="DSC00950" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-21LrLY-jIZo/VYzlH-iu5OI/AAAAAAAAMfs/_ihBUAt00bk/DSC00950_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="180" height="239"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L73DoOHukas/VYzl4kLJtBI/AAAAAAAAMf4/3r0HoEfisDw/s1600-h/DSC00951%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00951" border="0" alt="DSC00951" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fD0MnLwCj3k/VYzl5ofx83I/AAAAAAAAMgA/8gx-LRP0NVw/DSC00951_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="318" height="240"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YTq-5N0gkKY/VY1krFOK-HI/AAAAAAAAMi0/zjUOkXhhJcE/s1600-h/DSC00963%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00963" border="0" alt="DSC00963" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OKzi_VwbQsQ/VY1kv865kwI/AAAAAAAAMjA/xZL3zlwa_Pk/DSC00963_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="416"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Koggl9fWlFk/VY1kc4JWzUI/AAAAAAAAMhA/FAOOc651iQE/s1600-h/DSC00965%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00965" border="0" alt="DSC00965" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X53sfMSjv0A/VY1kgTNlQJI/AAAAAAAAMhI/TTzWnYxLfnM/DSC00965_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="249" height="187"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wn-IeNwyVzo/VY1kmJ6n_eI/AAAAAAAAMhQ/THv3-f5tlmc/s1600-h/DSC00964%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00964" border="0" alt="DSC00964" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mwcNxTbsx7E/VY1knDQMncI/AAAAAAAAMhY/_5fh9A_ISN0/DSC00964_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="248" height="187"></a> </p> <p></p> <p align="justify">Nougat is very popular in Southern Europe and the variety and flavors are broad. This shop sold nougat candy as well as chocolates, chocolate dipped dried fruit, truffles and fruit gels, and was doing a brisk business across the aisle from the tapas bar.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wEYQsEoKip0/VZGO_lMFspI/AAAAAAAANM4/dgKCyc36AjE/s1600-h/DSC00966%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00966" border="0" alt="DSC00966" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fvJhwRAXFiM/VZGPBqb0BUI/AAAAAAAANNA/Dtwu8mCQ7Gk/DSC00966_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="508" height="677"></a> </p> <p align="justify">Further back in the market, I spotted this woman, content to be a purist and sell only nougat candies. I’ve tried several different kinds including those with almonds, coconut, or chocolate and all would make fine gifts to bring home from Spain for family and friends. You can find this candy all over town and prices vary wildly, so shop around before buying.</p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LTyQIJgW5DU/VY1oq8cLGQI/AAAAAAAAMjM/7bnXjQsULNQ/s1600-h/DSC01097%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01097" border="0" alt="DSC01097" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pipiTviN4l8/VY1orySTCOI/AAAAAAAAMjU/wfWFRzf4QjM/DSC01097_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ttll7OYt6pg/VY1ow96Q9oI/AAAAAAAAMjo/6iHozTuilWk/s1600-h/DSC00953%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00953" border="0" alt="DSC00953" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_4oC-RuvgY0/VY1oyOj0FBI/AAAAAAAAMj0/NFgQxan7Q0w/DSC00953_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hiDmOHW0_LI/VY1ot_tf6uI/AAAAAAAAMjc/LF8Qaf3vCTM/s1600-h/DSC00952%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00952" border="0" alt="DSC00952" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I4AyQBTzCp8/VY1ovbz0xfI/AAAAAAAAMjg/OlcDAq86ZBs/DSC00952_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YRogfitLx8M/VY1oz5zKAcI/AAAAAAAAMj8/ffc-JoUAGug/s1600-h/DSC00979%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00979" border="0" alt="DSC00979" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--ulHau_C684/VY1o0muMt7I/AAAAAAAAMkA/260b7YCpt5E/DSC00979_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eT7k8m64FqM/VY1o1rwuoGI/AAAAAAAAMkM/LS80s8m4SLM/s1600-h/DSC00982%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00982" border="0" alt="DSC00982" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LJKQb0yHWuQ/VY1o26RMpmI/AAAAAAAAMkQ/49E_SBm4ifw/DSC00982_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zm2EcSbchW0/VY1o38MiK_I/AAAAAAAAMkc/Ok1HsATBtb4/s1600-h/DSC00983%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00983" border="0" alt="DSC00983" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PYSOhRIf2Fc/VY1o4vrnLjI/AAAAAAAAMkg/PJ_D1ROVgIM/DSC00983_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vmyMVkvgEmI/VY1o6JSZmYI/AAAAAAAAMl0/TqDvsLNUf0g/s1600-h/DSC01093%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01093" border="0" alt="DSC01093" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2xGqmTE3omA/VY1o7VX_oHI/AAAAAAAAMmA/M349QlMz6cY/DSC01093_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="177" height="234"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JwzUfLk9ZYo/VY1pC7TbzHI/AAAAAAAAMmM/oPtC6Xd6JzU/s1600-h/DSC01094%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01094" border="0" alt="DSC01094" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KOeatqQT2xE/VY1pEawPObI/AAAAAAAAMmY/7GwGEac6q6E/DSC01094_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="312" height="235"></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="justify">Herbs and spices riddled the stalls. If the vendor had shelves, there was the opportunity to sell Spanish produced specialties like saffron, honey, extra virgin olive oil, Ibiza salt and paprika; whether it be sweet, picante or smoked. I was actually surprised to find the salts from other countries, because the market was such a showcase of Spanish grown products. This is the place to purchase a little bit of Spain to bring home as a souvenir. I admit to having purchased just about everything here, on one trip or another, except the honey, because my pantry is currently packed with honey from France and Italy. If you are interested in smoked paprika, you might like to try an original recipe using it in a marinade for chicken. <a href="http://www.justafoodierecipeblog.blogspot.com/2007/05/indoor-outdoor-chicken.html">Smoked Paprika Chicken</a> makes an indoor grilled chicken taste like a barbeque.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fPqSjz63yWg/VY7O3elEE6I/AAAAAAAAMmk/qeULhWsMsok/s1600-h/DSC00959%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00959" border="0" alt="DSC00959" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DI2_SyR6zPw/VY7O581jFJI/AAAAAAAAMms/mX_apt6aiNk/DSC00959_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AiO5FAwU2uw/VY7O87BGMSI/AAAAAAAAMm0/gvQCkb8sIe4/s1600-h/DSC00955%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00955" border="0" alt="DSC00955" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_taXEUAPMxI/VY7PB5KXvqI/AAAAAAAAMm8/8Ea--Sj-I8I/DSC00955_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xAYZMC3n8rs/VY7PGoqZZ2I/AAAAAAAAM4Y/STF5iBrS1bM/s1600-h/DSC00957%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00957" border="0" alt="DSC00957" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2OBT67d1R4c/VY7PJI_O0PI/AAAAAAAAM4k/egd_JUOZzGI/DSC00957_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="561" height="421"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VuXigZ4JcGk/VY7PNFpI8_I/AAAAAAAAMnU/fj4mLFh6jn4/s1600-h/DSC00958%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00958" border="0" alt="DSC00958" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_4qPuq2WEPk/VY7POv7t12I/AAAAAAAAMnc/_5XHNYLjs_Q/DSC00958_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E5nVfDPW90w/VY7PRdtcNbI/AAAAAAAAMnk/pUm040zJGCo/s1600-h/DSC00993%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00993" border="0" alt="DSC00993" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FfqqZPKGHwM/VY7PSw5NYVI/AAAAAAAAMns/W1sIN42C2yo/DSC00993_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wLP2WW-atUM/VY7PWAEYAYI/AAAAAAAAMn0/mDmQP5aNQmw/s1600-h/DSC00956%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00956" border="0" alt="DSC00956" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0XrU6OdQRrk/VY7PXt7ZyvI/AAAAAAAAMn8/95rkk9d5jRs/DSC00956_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FWWGZ-6UnQQ/VY7PZCl_wVI/AAAAAAAAMoE/EtC7s8NFuaQ/s1600-h/DSC00996%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00996" border="0" alt="DSC00996" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a5J0zZIo7qg/VY7PaeRdZcI/AAAAAAAAMoI/Caj9uSmcn1g/DSC00996_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="justify">The mercato is noted for its seafood, but it seemed that beef held a more prominent place on the several days that I visited La Boqueria. There were more cold cuts than you could imagine, and many vacuumed packed cold cut selections for easy purchasing. Of the many sausages I wanted to try the morcilla, known to English speakers as blood sausages, and xoricos that I presumed were chorizo.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KpFD9rEFirI/VY9pxjxEJCI/AAAAAAAAMoc/asS7dDL9Skc/s1600-h/DSC00967%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00967" border="0" alt="DSC00967" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gxkzTPJzH2k/VY9pzbXMe8I/AAAAAAAAMok/kQkVqFdorjk/DSC00967_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aURlDLKRjoA/VY9p1Dw7N0I/AAAAAAAAMos/wtuD3PRPBsE/s1600-h/DSC01465%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01465" border="0" alt="DSC01465" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1JI6R_ubUec/VY9p5fmYF9I/AAAAAAAAMo0/OAH4gDMh93Y/DSC01465_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="325" height="244"></a> </p> <p></p> <p align="justify">My favorite vendor made it very easy to try cured sausages by offering mini sausage by the cupful. I had ordered spicy sausage at a restaurant prior to seeing the Xoricos and could confirm that they were chorizo. I purchased a morcilla and cooked it with eggs for breakfast the next morning. It had a nice blend of herbs and spices that made it taste slightly like poultry seasoning because of the sage. I finished off the breakfast with toast and a tomato jam that I had purchased from my favorite stall at La Boqueria, MAS. It’s not often one sees a tomato preserve. This one was light on sugar and that made it all the more flavorful with a true tomato taste.</p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qiOIOmFtsXM/VY9suUnqBzI/AAAAAAAAMpY/QhW2Ngww_ug/s1600-h/DSC00974%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00974" border="0" alt="DSC00974" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wfuG26DmKJI/VY9su23EH5I/AAAAAAAAMpg/cOOMd8ZoRNI/DSC00974_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8W2_DNQHqnU/VY9s1TWC-hI/AAAAAAAAMp4/f7uviO4f1CM/s1600-h/DSC00969%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00969" border="0" alt="DSC00969" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lUgUqh69zyc/VY9s2fJx0_I/AAAAAAAAMqA/n6EK525jRP8/DSC00969_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="244"></a></p> <p align="justify">Mas must be given credit for being a very high quality gourmet shop that handled imports as well as Spanish produced gourmet items. As I mentioned the tomato jam was unique and worth the 6 euro price.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XWe06u0IR6Y/VY9s5PUndOI/AAAAAAAAMqI/_CesYSe0JZw/s1600-h/DSC00970%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00970" border="0" alt="DSC00970" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6SyOmGW8qks/VY9s5ypmR-I/AAAAAAAAMqM/n0kma1LYbiY/DSC00970_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kRrkEMpNHU0/VY9s8X0cb6I/AAAAAAAAMqY/ce9ZmKqwj74/s1600-h/DSC00972%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00972" border="0" alt="DSC00972" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qcZuVg1cwkk/VY9s9fKw6jI/AAAAAAAAMqg/6TMc_po88jw/DSC00972_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IfKrZ1P1UDc/VY9s_0uox2I/AAAAAAAAMqo/LPnVOxX1zDc/s1600-h/DSC00975%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00975" border="0" alt="DSC00975" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tNIHZiWQRCc/VY9tA01MNWI/AAAAAAAAMqw/yyaz9Syf1Xk/DSC00975_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6-5J2E2NuVQ/VY9vZvWczUI/AAAAAAAAMr0/oykGhP2AYPE/s1600-h/DSC00994%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00994" border="0" alt="DSC00994" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tatxVCicRRE/VY9vaBewqYI/AAAAAAAAMr4/csKmlhpIvtk/DSC00994_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8XjVfo6bx1s/VY93WtHGW0I/AAAAAAAAMt4/mYkU9x1oVNA/s1600-h/DSC00968%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00968" border="0" alt="DSC00968" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rmSoeo-ii0w/VY93a1IcIZI/AAAAAAAAMuE/usWH9L_1XbU/DSC00968_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="524" height="393"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3FIulKud2tY/VY96560UBwI/AAAAAAAAMug/93lDglMtp98/s1600-h/DSC00995%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00995" border="0" alt="DSC00995" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjji008DQdeb8lqDE8XHPgoUq5WVhiKVMDVEMzOZcoujXWQ1FfnHNFnd5NepdeZTQsADpl6K5GCawGnpKmz6acEChe-ctuXAmCGb8fmb9R5Rm_OWGndNA0B8BluJXMv5mBReH9g/?imgmax=800" width="526" height="396"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sjgzhA_h5vM/VY9tCjgdZpI/AAAAAAAAMq4/WWaYxU8bOF0/s1600-h/DSC00976%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00976" border="0" alt="DSC00976" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tSrkQH0g3I4/VY9tFNEs46I/AAAAAAAAMrA/w50zp6V8bUY/DSC00976_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yhF8qdV1LiU/VY9tHXtTOKI/AAAAAAAAMsE/GPZDLOIU_SY/s1600-h/DSC00977%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00977" border="0" alt="DSC00977" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-327aM-xfGVk/VY9tIspJbrI/AAAAAAAAMsM/_x_a4vcp8hM/DSC00977_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="justify">The Mas logo appeared on almost everything they sold from charcuterie, to take out foods. After walking around their stall and looking at all the case goods, it would be difficult to forget the name of this beautifully manicured, gourmet grocer with a sophisticated mastery of merchandising. This was no mom and pop operation. From their cheese selection to the prepared foods, such as the croquettes to take home and fry or empanadas to eat on the spot, their operation showed a very educated palate on the part of upper management. <a href="http://www.masgourmets.com/">Mas Website</a></p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jGVptovspNo/VY_yNfnrKwI/AAAAAAAAMvA/OohEsdbil30/s1600-h/DSC00980%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00980" border="0" alt="DSC00980" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uAZh06MStAU/VY_yOl6iZvI/AAAAAAAAMvI/PJlk7UaRCRE/DSC00980_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="205" height="272"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rNN0xuhqPsE/VY_yPiysqnI/AAAAAAAAMvQ/JLNige5vCyQ/s1600-h/DSC00984%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00984" border="0" alt="DSC00984" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G8CagX9To1A/VY_yQWJB9ZI/AAAAAAAAMvY/r2-JaTZdnmo/DSC00984_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="362" height="272"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y-MAdcwoGR0/VY_yTe-oMII/AAAAAAAAM9I/P-kkvEy2V2s/s1600-h/DSC00981%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00981" border="0" alt="DSC00981" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u60mq4-FXF0/VY_yZfNMqKI/AAAAAAAAM9U/HFdvuQohHbk/DSC00981_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="583" height="439"></a></p> <p align="justify">The search was on for seafood, but bacala was as close as it came on my first trip down the aisles. In truth, La Boqueria is too big to see completely in a few hours. Even though I went there at least 3 times, I missed some of it. The bacala was cut into many sizes and shapes and was very different than I had seen before in European markets. Some stalls sold it with bottarga, the dried, fish egg pate that is usually grated on pasta by Italians, but this was the first time I saw it made of salmon eggs as well as tuna. The portions seemed huge compared to how I’ve seen it sold in Italy & Sicily. If I thought it would pass U.S. Customs, I would have bought one of each. I especially liked the case where it was sold with caviar and Spanish white anchovies, another item I was not certain I could successfully bring back home. At least it was possible to eat some in restaurants.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N0DrM6XFF-Y/VZAAL7AekBI/AAAAAAAAM6I/xL-qPvjgu1I/s1600-h/DSC01650%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01650" border="0" alt="DSC01650" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EHB2XcjubZc/VZAANEqU70I/AAAAAAAAM6U/BnzwgGZPsik/DSC01650_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="277" height="209"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BT2aeXrAKd0/VZAAQLjWsAI/AAAAAAAAM6g/dLQxY6kM_HI/s1600-h/DSC01590%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01590" border="0" alt="DSC01590" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uFwPDE7kwQU/VZAATic_g4I/AAAAAAAAM6s/45rh3YgbMhE/DSC01590_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="276" height="209"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nyRarIOJn-c/VZAAXobTpGI/AAAAAAAAM64/7k22zk6EsiY/s1600-h/DSC01649%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01649" border="0" alt="DSC01649" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uTNu_7pSXgI/VZAAcAWEKqI/AAAAAAAAM7E/V8Zb4exf2Is/DSC01649_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="569" height="428"></a></p> <p align="justify">Ultimately I did find fresh fish on ice, including all sorts of shellfish, squid, octopus, white bait, all the the traditional seafood one sees cooked in restaurants, but I never did find salmon or tuna. Could they be harvesting too many of their eggs for bottarga? Probably not, since I did not spend much time in this area of the market nor did I look specifically for them.</p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q1JDF40tjNc/VZB3z88Bv8I/AAAAAAAANDo/0MVB2qJ1XKo/s1600-h/DSC00999%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00999" border="0" alt="DSC00999" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-12avg_d1CHU/VZB303-RezI/AAAAAAAAND0/SBveEBXPp64/DSC00999_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="503" height="670"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_HjkessRniY/VY_yc-ONIyI/AAAAAAAAMvw/1ZweXvfpiWI/s1600-h/DSC01000%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01000" border="0" alt="DSC01000" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-69KIor1r3K8/VY_ydoVC7wI/AAAAAAAAMv4/iZoeOov9Yjc/DSC01000_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EUt7as5nRpA/VY_yexnb3KI/AAAAAAAAMwA/INKm-v_A8jQ/s1600-h/DSC01001%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01001" border="0" alt="DSC01001" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f3UIw--a8TA/VY_yg8nl2UI/AAAAAAAAMwI/o-Sy8KHG96w/DSC01001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0UohKmA4sUo/VY_yh2Gc26I/AAAAAAAAMwQ/gEnYgxgnZoQ/s1600-h/DSC01002%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01002" border="0" alt="DSC01002" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4BFfh-hSXD4/VY_yiZvhmBI/AAAAAAAAMwY/IxdexnU0wQI/DSC01002_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBsaJyf8rc0lG3PJIZvPASkm0f2KiDKdvygmkbUvK-jE1HW9IcZrmcv_LL43QinfoMlm94NC3FjIfiHitiElVVQOiDpnuvpbtrqtrqNnHdJKnNRfn3TJOL5WdRX-PJ8BepIK_DXw/s1600-h/DSC01003%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01003" border="0" alt="DSC01003" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tqcIjTccmQU/VY_ymOxKDoI/AAAAAAAAMwo/s6PewgMWBPQ/DSC01003_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p align="justify">Offal is alive and well in Barcelona and to a greater degree, or broader depth, than I have seen before after 25 years of travel. We can find tripe and tongues in most markets stateside, but when was the last time you spotted a spleen? The lamb’s head, brains and sweetbreads are rare enough everywhere, but this last photo to the right stumps me completely. My only guess is that it may be the intestines of an un-weaned calf, that are still filled with the mother’s milk. In Italy it’s called “pajata” and is a traditional Roman dish. Your guess is as good as mine on the item sitting under the spleens in the top right photo. Please don’t tell me; I don’t believe I really want to know.</p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8bODWpL4xG4/VZAAesZe4HI/AAAAAAAAMxw/-1c3qq0qC_g/s1600-h/DSC00962%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00962" border="0" alt="DSC00962" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-47bUCtNL1j4/VZAAjZXaKtI/AAAAAAAAMx4/e_aWav1M8rI/DSC00962_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7CJMZRaG-Xw/VZAAuFHBcxI/AAAAAAAAMyA/wvPrmF9k7QY/s1600-h/DSC00990%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00990" border="0" alt="DSC00990" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-64OeqY1b26U/VZAAvzL5azI/AAAAAAAAMyI/qWV8WepbqE8/DSC00990_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aIEnm7QxCzc/VZAAygJ-aSI/AAAAAAAAM24/4xWUvl3WtXw/s1600-h/DSC00991%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00991" border="0" alt="DSC00991" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5O1Ll6-BaHY/VZAA1vEiJyI/AAAAAAAAM3E/gJVGt94F47g/DSC00991_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="379"></a></p> <p align="justify">Weather sold fresh, vacuum packed or packaged as gifts, there were many varieties of olives at La Boqueria.</p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LJJCIUG-bB0/VZAA2pxKAQI/AAAAAAAAMyg/X2cq8v4V9sA/s1600-h/DSC00988%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00988" border="0" alt="DSC00988" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OWy8jsEOpC0/VZAA5rMHFjI/AAAAAAAAMyo/17X8_oWsALM/DSC00988_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8By_9LDgbYo/VZAA-Bi-oQI/AAAAAAAAMyw/sFAvMQv5QtQ/s1600-h/DSC00987%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00987" border="0" alt="DSC00987" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-blT_JUap_Og/VZAA_vjG7DI/AAAAAAAAMy4/In2bQTcKT24/DSC00987_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="323" height="243"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FCPS-i5td5s/VZABB6w5uVI/AAAAAAAAMzA/zkp7UxcD6WU/s1600-h/DSC00989%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00989" border="0" alt="DSC00989" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-An5sJfnzBMs/VZABDoiAAYI/AAAAAAAAMzI/6L7H8WskhXc/DSC00989_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nZoOQ-XDlwY/VZABGaPUaUI/AAAAAAAAMzQ/i8R9AjB84xQ/s1600-h/DSC00985%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00985" border="0" alt="DSC00985" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2_NKHHbHmvU/VZABJOyaWpI/AAAAAAAAMzY/rEye1PFm6IA/DSC00985_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wOSDXEk-KEU/VZABKQwA7iI/AAAAAAAANEE/DMlj4t1VoBg/s1600-h/DSC00986%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00986" border="0" alt="DSC00986" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kOEmWS2HuVM/VZABL1nP7pI/AAAAAAAANEQ/7P1BoEzypvY/DSC00986_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="525" height="395"></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="justify">You could find enough prepared food stalls to eat at the market all week long, without going to the same place twice. Rostiserria Ramon was tucked away in the back left corner of the building and had some very interesting offerings, none of which I actually tried. My favorites, by the looks of them, were fried shrimp wrapped in potato with ham and potato croquettes, as well as fried bacala. That’s a tapa one could certainly sink their teeth into and I’m going to on our next trip to Barcelona.</p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5rczknnmaW8/VZB31iii4FI/AAAAAAAAM0I/zYD-nsQfpZ0/s1600-h/DSC00998%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00998" border="0" alt="DSC00998" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RksG4M7BsqI/VZB32BeZqTI/AAAAAAAAM0Q/xobcUjQcn_g/DSC00998_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="524" height="394"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJv1aqINgi5ZVonaVULNMTywGHX23H845MGxiXzZmDswlJ1FnxxMYCG-TRiO10vrZ6BkmJkaecpqN0AoUFGMd46EJgForeAzHZ3uXKZVB6CqZKjQ1LL2AbXmP25sz9YQjK5LZl9g/s1600-h/DSC01073%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01073" border="0" alt="DSC01073" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PHnhDuIfBdw/VZB33lfsCoI/AAAAAAAAM0g/dZiIRZ7YMk0/DSC01073_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gJDn1y5p_Lw/VZB37-juMhI/AAAAAAAAM0o/dQzydBIpBZ8/s1600-h/DSC01090%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01090" border="0" alt="DSC01090" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P3baHEI-Apw/VZB38mmM20I/AAAAAAAAM0w/pfsSPVm6doc/DSC01090_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-serKMCVwLtU/VZB39fi9CTI/AAAAAAAAM04/evRKSDadqOs/s1600-h/DSC01077%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01077" border="0" alt="DSC01077" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n0XJBfoQA0U/VZB3-IFwRLI/AAAAAAAAM1A/J2dpvs1-O98/DSC01077_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1OaPTThA8As/VZB3_fVfEAI/AAAAAAAAM1I/oeituEj906Q/s1600-h/DSC01089%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01089" border="0" alt="DSC01089" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pcEBut6h8Xk/VZB4AF7k2HI/AAAAAAAAM1M/HaEyMvSSxiI/DSC01089_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="325" height="245"></a></p> <p align="justify">What I actually did sink my teeth into was an empanada made of boletus mushrooms, porcini by another name, and also a croquette made with curried potatoes, chicken and various vegetables. Even though I love mushrooms, especially porcini, the empanada was too dry to really enjoy; and to be candid, the croquette had too much saffron, so it threw the flavor off for everything else in the croquette. That is why I couldn’t identify the vegetables by taste, although in the photo it is clear that it was made with onion, red peppers and corn kernels.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y_iS0ADR2vs/VZB4BQEfWEI/AAAAAAAAM7Y/KsEXNIesTew/s1600-h/DSC01070%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01070" border="0" alt="DSC01070" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fVRw5B6w9zU/VZB4CdiOFdI/AAAAAAAAM7c/ldLz2jrUK4Q/DSC01070_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="583" height="439"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4sx1wiADiWU/VZB4DI3Bc5I/AAAAAAAAM1o/qy_Ev3V6QeU/s1600-h/DSC01078%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01078" border="0" alt="DSC01078" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yf10K4nvdOw/VZB4Dr6T8WI/AAAAAAAAM1w/JF7glMPID8s/DSC01078_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9NNqRxcgrrI/VZB4EaQTNyI/AAAAAAAAM14/CxNhL5Jeh3o/s1600-h/DSC01074%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01074" border="0" alt="DSC01074" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zXhMwd0gdAE/VZB4FPCjfnI/AAAAAAAAM18/d444tn-tsZQ/DSC01074_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZZhRiSec_aU/VZB4F_0jBGI/AAAAAAAAM2I/B3o1xin_GXU/s1600-h/DSC01075%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01075" border="0" alt="DSC01075" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ouMQoFB8rIw/VZB4HGRlh_I/AAAAAAAAM2Q/gMfrnI3BetM/DSC01075_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YFeEzJxGKdI/VZB4JmFAMII/AAAAAAAAM94/8Xwh0bjLSbM/s1600-h/DSC01068%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01068" border="0" alt="DSC01068" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DYLgiXxqZl4/VZB4KS7A2SI/AAAAAAAAM-E/F4wqMZEQb18/DSC01068_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="283" height="214"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fYyy8XTDbUE/VZB4LUL6d4I/AAAAAAAAM-Q/dbL1JVVDzGI/s1600-h/DSC01069%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01069" border="0" alt="DSC01069" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o-GmuivmfdE/VZB4L-ZpURI/AAAAAAAAM-c/1HjtP3FX2Po/DSC01069_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="285" height="215"></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="justify">The variety of fillings for empanadas was staggering and it took too long to make the decision on which to purchase. They were composed of single items such as zucchini, cheese, mushrooms, eggplant, and pumpkin or multiple ingredients like mixed vegetables, cheese and onion, or beef and vegetables. Even small tarts and open faced pastries were called empanadas. To add to the confusion some of the croquettes were called Coxinha which is the Brazilian word for croquette.</p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dwahCeUyHbc/VZCdMSPxhDI/AAAAAAAAM-o/TtoF8O-HPOg/s1600-h/DSC01067%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01067" border="0" alt="DSC01067" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l1qSSOKk8UI/VZCdOBCKC5I/AAAAAAAAM-w/SdFnEOT-vvc/DSC01067_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EISSAMoPMvo/VZCdTwqqU6I/AAAAAAAAM-4/dC0bQVPe9do/s1600-h/DSC01065%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01065" border="0" alt="DSC01065" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mP4_fpJnrCQ/VZCdWakEz1I/AAAAAAAAM_A/1s92mB2W-FE/DSC01065_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="243" height="183"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nErNGldzST8/VZCdZurISFI/AAAAAAAANBA/8OX0yqcavmY/s1600-h/DSC01066%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01066" border="0" alt="DSC01066" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kfeU7gqjigw/VZCda9sZJGI/AAAAAAAANBM/TwS4GaNlxaU/DSC01066_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="502" height="377"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pyH0kl0a07w/VZCdeND7IsI/AAAAAAAAM_Y/pa3Enom-ifg/s1600-h/DSC01081%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01081" border="0" alt="DSC01081" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m-b_tgr8vus/VZCdfSb4CaI/AAAAAAAAM_g/_yMx4D_b3F0/DSC01081_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bMVbi4dgQJ0/VZCdidUt3tI/AAAAAAAAM_o/slv1U6Z4CVI/s1600-h/DSC01079%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01079" border="0" alt="DSC01079" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9USIiDTohA8/VZCdj29zq3I/AAAAAAAAM_w/e4qPjb_Yq3w/DSC01079_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6kpJAxgNgWU/VZCdm5VZf4I/AAAAAAAANBY/whQsu91J6pI/s1600-h/DSC01080%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01080" border="0" alt="DSC01080" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dG_ftQK_yDM/VZCdnsa5wFI/AAAAAAAANBk/X_ot0oyw6Nc/DSC01080_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="503" height="378"></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="justify">The Catalonian empanadas looked more like “wraps”, and although very colorful, they didn’t tempt my appetite at all because of the waxy look of the dough. On the other hand, the quiche appeared colorful and flavorful at the same time. What I believe comes through in all these prepared food photos, is that you can buy a filling meal or snack for very little money. </p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S3lVJVPy018/VZFXtbWu37I/AAAAAAAANLg/USjb4m--jHI/s1600-h/DSC01088%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01088" border="0" alt="DSC01088" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HR0gFJKhd9M/VZFXueemUgI/AAAAAAAANLs/v4embwq_zhk/DSC01088_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="596" height="792"></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p0qCCe3Bo3M/VZFdHhum8tI/AAAAAAAANJA/EH5VOF5lKXA/s1600-h/DSC01085%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01085" border="0" alt="DSC01085" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QCJ7EyTqHEI/VZFdKqrDOtI/AAAAAAAANJI/IOvFrch_7wI/DSC01085_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-esODMM4g8qw/VZFXyPpOpEI/AAAAAAAANCo/0XCdPQyIuLA/s1600-h/DSC01083%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01083" border="0" alt="DSC01083" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t35v47-YhdY/VZFXzSOO9jI/AAAAAAAANCw/IaIHFps79AY/DSC01083_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oshsCtLHF8Y/VZFX0wiFIwI/AAAAAAAANC4/VSUP7ewWudM/s1600-h/DSC01084%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01084" border="0" alt="DSC01084" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GdfgarP7MEI/VZFX1quOSiI/AAAAAAAANDA/SF5EXfZ1LYQ/DSC01084_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m0dgmBC-XwU/VZFX38jD1nI/AAAAAAAANKY/cNRgvzWJX6I/s1600-h/DSC01087%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01087" border="0" alt="DSC01087" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ygEksRXZGd0/VZFX5i-N-tI/AAAAAAAANKk/Vpxki0xlT50/DSC01087_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="209" height="277"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6_r32490_DA/VZFX7HgRUOI/AAAAAAAANKw/Xz-Q_mHNPZU/s1600-h/DSC01082%25255B15%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01082" border="0" alt="DSC01082" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D5EOHbDCO7c/VZFX8R4CvWI/AAAAAAAANK8/qcAgO_eJxho/DSC01082_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="275"></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="justify">Puerto Latino was the last stop on this food excursion. Their ice creams were creamy and inventive, though mostly fruit based, but that does not take away from the delight of finding something different like a pear and chocolate combination or strawberry and coconut. I opted for the most refreshing flavor I could find which turned out to be pink grapefruit. Mmmm.</p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iECHAOmqfFY/VZFuQotlQ3I/AAAAAAAANL4/n5CqyeIvLvg/s1600-h/DSC00992%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC00992" border="0" alt="DSC00992" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tx0bJHf8MPA/VZFuRVt6VQI/AAAAAAAANMA/ViIfNNTEuhw/DSC00992_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R1NC-l1-KOw/VZFuS8NUVjI/AAAAAAAANMI/xsmZwcqYgOI/s1600-h/DSC01588%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC01588" border="0" alt="DSC01588" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6Tg3IVJG2O8/VZFuWX92nwI/AAAAAAAANMQ/i9D85pPEmWc/DSC01588_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="justify">Since this journey has been “from soup to nuts”, here’s a photo of some nuts and a personal favorite, ostrich and emu eggs. This is not unusual at La Boqueria, since they were being sold there on my first trip to Barcelona ten years earlier. I will not wait another ten years to go back to Barcelona, and I can’t wait to go back to La Boqueria to discover what I may have missed on this trip. I wonder how many people an emu egg could feed? Perhaps I’ll find out.</p> <h3><a href="http://www.boqueria.info/index.php?lang=en">La Boqueria Website</a></h3> Vita d'Orohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12264556946744893084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28489671.post-89181524709098081242014-01-28T19:07:00.000-08:002014-06-23T13:11:17.802-07:00The Guest Suite<div align="justify">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbRB5xcLjQkLHclPjGw_T8332LkXZ1n_Fs0nfbu40CeMJCzgoiYjuGcdSPBO15kV1YcHY7cjw-ZUI7HOc_vlwtUP_F40n9kPMkeMsqrtbrouoq-hswWSOWnW8W8crhmQKaKI-OiA/s1600/DSC07120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbRB5xcLjQkLHclPjGw_T8332LkXZ1n_Fs0nfbu40CeMJCzgoiYjuGcdSPBO15kV1YcHY7cjw-ZUI7HOc_vlwtUP_F40n9kPMkeMsqrtbrouoq-hswWSOWnW8W8crhmQKaKI-OiA/s1600/DSC07120.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Right in the heart of San Francisco, our guest quarters offer one bedroom, living room, breakfast bar, and a luxurious bath. Located in an Edwardian building, the suite provides restful comfort after a busy day of exploring San Francisco. A microwave, coffee pot, tea pot and toaster are available, as is a full sized refrigerator, however, there is no stove. 600 thread count sheets, down pillows, and spa towels add to the comfort of our guests. Continental breakfasts are an option, not an obligation. Guests may also use the garden.<br />
<a href="http://theguestsuite.blogspot.com/">Click HERE for More Information and Rates</a> </div>
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--V_-yO4TveA/UlS6QExpPaI/AAAAAAAAH1Y/2k9LP7WvUZg/s1600-h/DSC03344%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC03344" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xtvWNQCG3mM/UlS6QjuAG0I/AAAAAAAAH1g/o-241rRNMoU/DSC03344_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="318" style="border-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline;" title="DSC03344" width="244" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dUd6M013LWY/UlS6RdKb-BI/AAAAAAAAH1o/1ajdc-EMCpk/s1600-h/DSC03341%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC03341" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-biPMyZlEi-Q/UlS6RyqLiGI/AAAAAAAAH1w/DmXobhJTEFk/DSC03341_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="318" style="border-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline;" title="DSC03341" width="244" /></a> <br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-q7By3aWXwsA/UlS6SlmnnYI/AAAAAAAAH38/rHNPNeE4iIc/s1600-h/DSC03356%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC03356" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6BDy6mZh8OU/UlS6TPxEyvI/AAAAAAAAH4E/EK8wT4qUZB0/DSC03356_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="309" style="border-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline;" title="DSC03356" width="248" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-O9TLLIn-jdY/UlS6Tx4jI0I/AAAAAAAAH4M/Da77luOqqxU/s1600-h/DSC03355%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC03355" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nYgxHwvIIkY/UlS6UmAfxxI/AAAAAAAAH4U/D-lY3a2iTAU/DSC03355_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="309" style="border-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline;" title="DSC03355" width="241" /></a> <br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_43x1IVCzNQ/UlS6X7guP5I/AAAAAAAAH4c/Yiq8kxeRSNY/s1600-h/DSC03367%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC03367" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VGFL9z0gfkk/UlS6YQdj6mI/AAAAAAAAH4k/nAGsAwjU4lU/DSC03367_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="297" style="border-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline;" title="DSC03367" width="249" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xxTCyiECHtg/UlS6WiepIRI/AAAAAAAAH4s/SOKV8szJTUM/s1600-h/DSC03438%25255B17%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC03438" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GQMShF0dIus/UlS6XCihwjI/AAAAAAAAH40/aRxWLmETqcI/DSC03438_thumb%25255B15%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="296" style="border-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline;" title="DSC03438" width="242" /></a> <br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Wv49t8FPW4A/UlS6ZJ94etI/AAAAAAAAH48/il3jueFPWZ8/s1600-h/DSC03430%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC03430" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FFwzC4NOM0c/UlS6ZhcCvXI/AAAAAAAAH5E/hvpc3Ex-9aM/DSC03430_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="306" style="border-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline;" title="DSC03430" width="249" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TbH_IWrbXM8/UlS6VH8UeHI/AAAAAAAAH5M/Wble77kyTD4/s1600-h/DSC03323%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC03323" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8hu05Y7_xNU/UlS6VyZmwHI/AAAAAAAAH5U/2zy-2-dwJtQ/DSC03323_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="305" style="border-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline;" title="DSC03323" width="239" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LaAgFuGWop8/UlS6aYShjPI/AAAAAAAAH5c/fDs22ViHxOM/s1600-h/DSC03432%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC03432" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6NRXtjglt2A/UlS6a7B_ReI/AAAAAAAAH5k/THJjmyp9OOY/DSC03432_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="240" style="border-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline;" title="DSC03432" width="302" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mo2crptF-j8/UlS6btEQ6dI/AAAAAAAAH5s/95AiCXA1nvE/s1600-h/DSC03375%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC03375" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EttQ6zuOQGI/UlS6cdRH1MI/AAAAAAAAH50/B3MhLUqBNpw/DSC03375_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="239" style="border-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline;" title="DSC03375" width="189" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Vita d'Orohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12264556946744893084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28489671.post-44730100946649317252013-11-04T07:18:00.000-08:002014-05-07T08:16:40.449-07:00Pub Grub All Dolled Up<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gg5wMazuDe0/U2pLktwxfHI/AAAAAAAAI5M/xyxxDrJ8zX0/s1600-h/DSC05794%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC05794" border="0" alt="DSC05794" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-U7oDg3qjuqg/U2pLlu0ODFI/AAAAAAAAI5U/vzmC0S8l1oI/DSC05794_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="486" height="377"></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="justify">The Chelsea Potter is what can be considered a classic English pub. Heavy on dark wood, light on, well, lighting. It sets a mood of warmth on a cool British evening, traditionally accomplished with smoke and mirrors, literally. Now that smoking is no longer allowed, the lord be praised, the mood is still one of camaraderie, and the menu hasn't changed by much.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zWskYG1Vmco/U2pLmjk_FnI/AAAAAAAAI5c/6dUha6Egfrw/s1600-h/DSC05798%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC05798" border="0" alt="DSC05798" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eXqQrVARBoo/U2pLnf5PbeI/AAAAAAAAI5k/IJ80efwnEF8/DSC05798_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="483" height="371"></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="justify">Bangers and mash, sausage and mashed potatoes have been a staple of the pub menu, providing the working class with a filling comfort food. Today's light gravy and onion chutney show some effort, but don't elevate this dish to the level one would expect from a "gastro pub".</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SwOTggs7cOs/U2pLoMtkVZI/AAAAAAAAI5s/r--6jjuwLAc/s1600-h/DSC05801%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC05801" border="0" alt="DSC05801" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZOFIzs3wiaU/U2pLoyNQ3zI/AAAAAAAAI50/W7ybbLxgJeo/DSC05801_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-U7FMJhMVXpw/U2pLpm04imI/AAAAAAAAI58/BK0tpRR9xnE/s1600-h/DSC05803%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC05803" border="0" alt="DSC05803" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WTV10Dw2AkU/U2pLqQII8HI/AAAAAAAAI6E/wEdodituiYA/DSC05803_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p></p> <p align="justify">Roast meat, generally beef, is another venerable staple of the pub menu. On our visit, the roast beef with Yorkshire pudding was unavailable, so the waiter suggested the "pork roast". Since the Yorkshire pudding was really what I wanted, he offered to just substitute the meat and bring me the same set up with pork in place of beef. Great idea. I was surprised, but delighted to see that what he called pork roast was what I call pork belly. Instead of the dry, overcooked pork I had feared, it was moist and rich in flavor.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-k9nTxRM3oKk/U2pLrGppKGI/AAAAAAAAI9w/hNo_ELdH9wI/s1600-h/DSC05806%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC05806" border="0" alt="DSC05806" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2-3FTMLNZpk/U2pLsMIScgI/AAAAAAAAI90/3hJVoYVxZio/DSC05806_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="513" height="411"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JRSaAMDaNlo/U2pLs1UQ4UI/AAAAAAAAI6c/UabnfZG3RIU/s1600-h/DSC05805%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC05805" border="0" alt="DSC05805" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ssZkLgSWJvw/U2pLtjWytuI/AAAAAAAAI6k/doU_B2t_oGk/DSC05805_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EV0X1WWM0Zk/U2pLuZYt5sI/AAAAAAAAI6s/HTXdhg--yqA/s1600-h/DSC05804%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC05804" border="0" alt="DSC05804" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2Qwfkfn-AS0/U2pLvDuYoBI/AAAAAAAAI60/gDRDdWBE0_4/DSC05804_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p></p> <p align="justify">The pork was delicious, tender and succulent, but I couldn't help but notice that there was no Yorkshire pudding. After an apology because that too was no longer available, our waiter offered to bring me an order of sweet potato fries. Hmmm, after looking over the plate and noticing not one but two forms of potato already, I declined a 3rd potato, no matter how sweet it might be.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pbDHdaLiDhE/U2pLv1Ll0XI/AAAAAAAAI68/5s1oFcDjWSs/s1600-h/DSC05814%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC05814" border="0" alt="DSC05814" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DQTxLbz4Q0s/U2pLwkGoMEI/AAAAAAAAI7E/HH4M8rWl190/DSC05814_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="485" height="379"></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="justify">Our waiter couldn't take "no thank you" for an answer and as we were finishing up our meal, placed a serving of Treacle Sponge on our table. Sitting in a pool of warm vanilla custard sauce, this suet imbued cake was much like a sticky toffee pudding and we were grateful for his persistence in trying to please a customer.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-k7uQ0LgPngQ/U2pLxcEXVZI/AAAAAAAAI7M/xMt4FcYmku4/s1600-h/DSC02041%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC02041" border="0" alt="DSC02041" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3PwaV9Azm-k/U2pLyC5HKNI/AAAAAAAAI7U/_89VAlUtJdQ/DSC02041_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="212" height="271"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rbcNbwikK9c/U2pLypwuC_I/AAAAAAAAI7c/_EM9oejoFkk/s1600-h/DSC02042%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC02042" border="0" alt="DSC02042" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Lu9mwznCkKM/U2pLzcBVZ1I/AAAAAAAAI7k/WV-lOirGK58/DSC02042_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="210" height="269"></a> </p> <p align="justify">The Trafalgar, a neighboring pub to Chelsea Potter on Kings Road in Chelsea, was trying for a more modern twist on pub grub. Although I liked the idea, and would go there again, it's success was modest.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-w2XfwIVHLGQ/U2pL0HPCOPI/AAAAAAAAI-A/SPKhAI3Avs0/s1600-h/DSC02050%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC02050" border="0" alt="DSC02050" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Bt_Wic0tgq8/U2pL08FvVfI/AAAAAAAAI-I/qyoRSdmtRNM/DSC02050_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="513" height="411"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qSKhed8YQ5A/U2pL1981HWI/AAAAAAAAI78/oMZBjNpMWEo/s1600-h/DSC02051%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC02051" border="0" alt="DSC02051" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xLPqcx_FQis/U2pL2bTno2I/AAAAAAAAI8E/efXDLixN3tU/DSC02051_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="196"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qxAg2yfsM04/U2pL3fGSXlI/AAAAAAAAI8M/1gzEgCWG1Ec/s1600-h/DSC02049%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC02049" border="0" alt="DSC02049" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qs3xWBx-f1A/U2pL4FSvNqI/AAAAAAAAI8U/cqWyaUG22TQ/DSC02049_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="197"></a></p> <p></p> <p align="justify">Plaice instead of cod didn't make a perceptible difference in the Fish & Chips category. Although it is also a classic version of a pub menu item, the parsley in the batter did not elevate this preparation to gourmet. It can be said that the mushy peas accompanying it were the freshest tasting I had ever tried and not unpleasant in color from overcooking like the traditional version. The fish was flaky and crisp, as were the "chips".</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eDaLxE5hwfQ/U2pL4ygMrYI/AAAAAAAAI8c/dLZIxdPm5dA/s1600-h/DSC02046%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC02046" border="0" alt="DSC02046" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hWzrZ7vqd6M/U2pL5aLD9AI/AAAAAAAAI8k/7__06JoV1QQ/DSC02046_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nC-5FdY6pek/U2pL6dvfuxI/AAAAAAAAI8s/1zTt9lwL7YI/s1600-h/DSC02048%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC02048" border="0" alt="DSC02048" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CFAS-gpiADY/U2pL7J9pg2I/AAAAAAAAI80/UvUZP4KF1T4/DSC02048_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="justify">A Chicken Caesar Salad fared much better as a means to modernize the menu. The whole anchovies were a good indication that the chef had actually tasted a classic Ceasar, since every other Ceasar we have eaten in Europe had subbed them for some form of meat, usually bacon or ham. Trafalgar definitely gets points for this execution.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZcapiKyl7P8/U2pL7_9q9hI/AAAAAAAAI88/hexFeGV-TOw/s1600-h/DSC02045%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSC02045" border="0" alt="DSC02045" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VTmU8_Oju8s/U2pL8rARDII/AAAAAAAAI9E/cH-0s4AxCg4/DSC02045_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="507" height="413"></a> </p> <p>They loose points for presenting a Californian with Sierra Nevada, when he asked for a local ale.</p> <p><font size="6"></font> </p> <p><font size="6">To be continued.....</font></p> Vita d'Orohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12264556946744893084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28489671.post-20980206567828713652013-11-03T07:28:00.000-08:002014-05-03T13:51:04.134-07:00London's Chinatown<p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IB1RW9KeVs4/U2ULsZETWqI/AAAAAAAAI2U/Ag3OGWacnKY/s1600-h/DSC05907%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC05907" border="0" alt="DSC05907" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kcxogTFf_MA/U2ULs72m-6I/AAAAAAAAI2c/pkzR49L7Zco/DSC05907_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="216" height="322"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PfKIJQhkj_w/U2ULtqUKXVI/AAAAAAAAI2k/BMRiNOdSFT8/s1600-h/DSC05911%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC05911" border="0" alt="DSC05911" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JfWho8EINkI/U2ULuX-UtpI/AAAAAAAAI2s/7uASHqh4N_Y/DSC05911_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="211" height="323"></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="justify">Size shouldn't matter, but in all honesty, Chinatown in London seemed disproportionately small considering the the size of the population in general. Certainly one cannot expect all Chinese Londoners to live in one place, but as a central source for Chinese culture, traditional foods and community this chinatown would not set any records. As tourists, we are admittedly there "for the food" where size only counts when it comes to portions of food served in the restaurants.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ibgYdLpSIKU/U2ULvIOH35I/AAAAAAAAI20/ACpD2KtTAds/s1600-h/DSC05910%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC05910" border="0" alt="DSC05910" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-65lFTebjNSM/U2ULv3iLu_I/AAAAAAAAI28/032wvsGM6VI/DSC05910_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="448" height="351"></a> </p> <p align="justify">Having grown up on the Pacific Rim in San Francisco, I was exposed to Chinese food at a young age, so it is an adopted comfort food for me. When I'm not eating pasta or risotto, I'm eating chow fun or fried rice. When traveling we occasionally need a break from local cuisine and head for the local Italian or Chinese restaurant to see how recipes have been adapted for local consumption.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-M9It6RxqNiM/U2ULw2wUF5I/AAAAAAAAI3E/mvbx93TBmnk/s1600-h/DSC05921%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC05921" border="0" alt="DSC05921" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WT9itHKlQhw/U2ULxSzNVcI/AAAAAAAAI3M/73EkiCmlvZI/DSC05921_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="275" height="218"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zb1svUiYddI/U2ULyFc-X6I/AAAAAAAAI3U/_oFfSrWtkwY/s1600-h/DSC05912%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC05912" border="0" alt="DSC05912" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Jk7bVDOcTbw/U2ULyqCNa5I/AAAAAAAAI3c/wnKT0l9l0gE/DSC05912_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="150" height="219"></a> </p> <p></p> <p align="justify">The young man who was hired to solicit customers into Oriental Dragon seemed so uncomfortable with his assignment that we decided to give him a bit more confidence and eat there, especially when we saw it was a dim sum restaurant, offering few surprises. Although I'm all for trying new dishes, sometimes only the familiar seems appealing. With further investigation it was made clear that the kitchen employs 5 chefs that make specialties from 5 different regions. That was a surprise.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Kkq7V7b5QEM/U2ULziEeWpI/AAAAAAAAI3k/wLogKOnGjQA/s1600-h/DSC05908%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC05908" border="0" alt="DSC05908" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JVQadpl-b4k/U2UL0lizo_I/AAAAAAAAI3s/8fR4SyNTR6o/DSC05908_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="445" height="345"></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="justify">If it weren't for the dim sum, I'm not certain this restaurant would have been as predictable as we had imagined. Luncheon meats and potatoes with vinegar seemed quite an adaption to local tastes.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8wj8SiCduUE/U2UL1IJ3LMI/AAAAAAAAI30/tKCel5dRX_8/s1600-h/DSC05914%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC05914" border="0" alt="DSC05914" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Sr7ZLXwol5I/U2UL17urDZI/AAAAAAAAI38/30GTwJYBHgU/DSC05914_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ntdEtBvMf8E/U2UL2hikUHI/AAAAAAAAI4E/2b1Y8BQBfJ0/s1600-h/DSC05916%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC05916" border="0" alt="DSC05916" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-F-CEksD_QOs/U2UL3PHKKjI/AAAAAAAAI4M/NND5G-cpUrE/DSC05916_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="justify">Ha gow and siu mai were just what we were looking for on this particular evening. Although no one can make a bad ha gow, it does seem that sui mai is wide open for personal interpretation. While we have been bombarded with the slogan, "Pork, the other white meat." was it too much to expect a bit of color and flavor in this dumpling? Was this siu mai even made with pork? Could luncheon meat be this pale? Needless to say, we did not argue over which one of us would claim the last dumpling in the basket.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xIsUV5vJWIU/U2UL39lR4RI/AAAAAAAAI4U/IS6ZRaNn4s4/s1600-h/DSC05918%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC05918" border="0" alt="DSC05918" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vMEKPyA5z3A/U2UL4hu1ULI/AAAAAAAAI4c/RW7f2kiyzlw/DSC05918_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="442" height="349"></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="justify">Ah, barbequed pork fried rice, another stalwart of Chinese cuisine that seems to translate well, no matter what country in which it is served. This was the taste of home we were trying to find. It's true, we have never met a fried rice we didn't like and this was no exception, however it was not exceptional in taste either.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qwEuVlqXVQE/U2UL5WmUKpI/AAAAAAAAI4k/LAStOVl_bfE/s1600-h/DSC05919%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC05919" border="0" alt="DSC05919" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RJjfEPv97WQ/U2UL58pfeTI/AAAAAAAAI4s/j54g2zsNu0s/DSC05919_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jY7xX7OUp0c/U2UL6iSlIKI/AAAAAAAAI40/S7FaPXvcU0c/s1600-h/DSC05920%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC05920" border="0" alt="DSC05920" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fBVZjZ6ta1g/U2UL7XApbsI/AAAAAAAAI48/O4QkqrLUDE8/DSC05920_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p></p> <p align="justify">Char siu bao, another dim sum staple, was an excellent example of a well rendered interpretation of a classic. While the meal was mundane, that may have had more to do with our ordering than anything else. I should have at least tried the stir fried lily bulbs or the marinated mooli, if only to discover what they were.</p> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="275"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="275">31 Gerard St</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="275"><em>London</em>, W1D 6JT</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="275">020 7734 2763</td></tr></tbody></table> Vita d'Orohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12264556946744893084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28489671.post-36543251065345468632013-10-28T04:47:00.003-07:002013-11-04T14:33:20.055-08:00eDreams Becomes An eNightmare<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Usually when I purchase an airline ticket for Europe I go to cheapOair.com. I've had very good luck with it on many occasions. Not so on my last trip. At that particular time several other booking agencies popped up on the screen and the best prices were offered on a website called eDreams from France. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I first booked the ticket, I tried going from Rome to London Heathrow. After I clicked the flight I wanted, I noticed that it was going to Gatwick airport which meant a more expensive train ride into town and several Tube changes along the way, rather than a direct route on the Tube from Heathrow to Earls Court where my hotel was located.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Okay, I made a mistake, so I backtracked to where the flights were listed and believed that I hit the button for the tickets going to Heathrow. I continued on the website until I had finished paying for the plane fare. I made one serious mistake. I failed to look at the confirmation notice. Two days before my flight to London, I looked at my printed confirmation for the first time, and realized that the plane was going to Gatwick. This meant that backtracking did not work on this site, since the first tickets I clicked on were the tickets that I actually purchased.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mistake number two was that nothing on either the tickets nor the itinerary mentioned anything about the baggage. When I arrived at the British Airways counter in Rome I asked what our baggage allowance was. I was told that we had no baggage allowance at all because I had purchased an inexpensive ticket. When I went to the BA website later that day, it clearly stated that each passenger had a one bag allowance, with no reference at all to passengers purchasing low-cost tickets. The eDreams site had a link to baggage allowances that failed and redirected me back to their site. The BA agent insisted that we could only bring on one carry-on bag weighing 13 pounds, or less. Since that was impossible, we ended up paying for bags at the cost of €46 each. Ouch!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lesson learned; check your itinerary immediately, find out about baggage allowances before purchasing your ticket, and only deal with websites that you trust.</span></div>
<br />Vita d'Orohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12264556946744893084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28489671.post-70899848338055620352013-10-10T16:07:00.000-07:002015-06-20T11:29:44.300-07:00Campo Dei Fiore, Field of Flowers<br><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lXM2YiWBUPc/UuQDms91g2I/AAAAAAAAH9c/p1WQK_QJtuY/s1600-h/DSC03695%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC03695" border="0" alt="DSC03695" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vm6RTpEmXIw/UuQDndLyJXI/AAAAAAAAH9k/VrKefVeCQAo/DSC03695_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="576" height="472"></a><br> <div align="justify">Of all the tourist attractions in Rome, the Campo Dei Fiore seems to be the most active, both day and night. In the morning the large piazza transforms into an open air market for its lively neighborhood of residents and craftsmen. Surrounded by restaurants, bakeries; shops selling food specialties, fresh meats, and wine; it becomes a magnet for tourists seeking a more personalized view of Roman life. At night it becomes a destination for impromptu entertainment.</div> <div align="justify"><br></div> <div align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1VUEuRED8iw/UuQH5FwjsEI/AAAAAAAAH9s/9Nq5bG-UZ1I/s1600-h/DSC03783%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC03783" border="0" alt="DSC03783" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Zis3UEnGIG4/UuQH5vuYu8I/AAAAAAAAH90/ekffPdwaev4/DSC03783_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_m1AK92sEOw/UuQDoNlJlmI/AAAAAAAAH98/VCCYNqwkoYg/s1600-h/DSC04706%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04706" border="0" alt="DSC04706" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-H5tPHMLmmBM/UuQDopN66VI/AAAAAAAAH-E/Cq6KgBK9llg/DSC04706_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="225" height="184"></a></div> <div align="justify">In the morning, at first light, produce and flower vendors are setting up their wares. Tables and umbrellas are set up all across the campo. It's difficult to distinguish the umbrellas of the restaurants that encircle the campo from those of the vendors, so from a distance the market seems larger than it's actual size. </div> <div align="justify"><br></div> <div align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-L156jSf6UKw/UuQDpsyj8YI/AAAAAAAAH-M/LyNDf8u6mCg/s1600-h/DSC04287%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04287" border="0" alt="DSC04287" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ura-ic2TPQg/UuQDqcGP_CI/AAAAAAAAH-U/-3mczGkPcds/DSC04287_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="509" height="427"></a> <br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qBui4RjDT1A/UuQDrQWFcBI/AAAAAAAAH78/rGhNxY3EVBw/s1600-h/DSC04421%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04421" border="0" alt="DSC04421" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yeutR34Mnv4/UuQDr6nDn1I/AAAAAAAAH8A/91vVJGDDH8A/DSC04421_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Kuiu6Q45dHE/UuQMwvfycUI/AAAAAAAAH-0/IsUYfszO1vI/s1600-h/DSC03681%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC03681" border="0" alt="DSC03681" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rhHN2CSGK-8/UuQMxGjeA-I/AAAAAAAAH-4/NUQLodR698o/DSC03681_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </div> <div align="justify"><br></div> <div align="justify">Kitchen wares, tee shirts, umbrellas, aprons, the produce, flowers, plants, dried pasta, spices, honey and preserves, olive oil, truffles, as well as balsamic vinegar and various condiments sit side-by-side in this world renowned market.</div> <div align="justify"> </div> <div align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qROIvD8buIY/UuWTC-_tYmI/AAAAAAAAIYY/xpu9n_OzxrQ/s1600-h/DSC04427%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04427" border="0" alt="DSC04427" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-O1iR-H0LaEA/UuWTD2RAwaI/AAAAAAAAIYg/iROZ0FvwzGI/DSC04427_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kL0Unfhv1mU/UuWTE9VF_1I/AAAAAAAAIYo/IBMoBkdKUr4/s1600-h/DSC04416%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04416" border="0" alt="DSC04416" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Vo08OUIkrmo/UuWTFgBFLhI/AAAAAAAAIYw/188zRVIhRsA/DSC04416_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></div> <div align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9b5UQYlrkGo/UuWTI7I4sGI/AAAAAAAAIZI/FwQgnSr8qLk/s1600-h/DSC04434%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uAgLqfl-qT8/UuWTG3rbk5I/AAAAAAAAIY4/6DGjPN4S_P8/s1600-h/DSC04429%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04429" border="0" alt="DSC04429" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OxhFi3HrblI/UuWTHi_deuI/AAAAAAAAIY8/ftkhna-0SyI/DSC04429_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04434" border="0" alt="DSC04434" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HMV7n52qkKo/UuWTJYHiOOI/AAAAAAAAIZQ/DcCVY2PiqFo/DSC04434_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></div> <div align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-r_MZbq7VRYk/UuWTK824XqI/AAAAAAAAIZY/MMboAN6N9ds/s1600-h/DSC04424%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04424" border="0" alt="DSC04424" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VBvMdVOkx7c/UuWTLWUe_LI/AAAAAAAAIZg/4ApaASMsTfA/DSC04424_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-giQmXqV9FMg/U2Mbtgb1bxI/AAAAAAAAI14/1QtLIUnOnaQ/s1600-h/DSC03690%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC03690" border="0" alt="DSC03690" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-c13gnf76XBo/U2MbuSyoYxI/AAAAAAAAI2A/G7b-ndigvvo/DSC03690_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </div> <div align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-H115iY-0_14/UuQYomNA0vI/AAAAAAAAIBM/JhFv75BtKaU/s1600-h/DSC04456%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04456" border="0" alt="DSC04456" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2yj0PNDIV5o/UuQYpIieItI/AAAAAAAAIBQ/jNBSXsYeki8/DSC04456_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TAOjQInhYXY/UuQYtSxHm8I/AAAAAAAAIB8/Nckn7XqvJ_E/s1600-h/DSC03686%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC03686" border="0" alt="DSC03686" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-txrDTEq-dzc/UuQYtz6ld4I/AAAAAAAAICE/hCXeCUlcsIg/DSC03686_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </div> <div align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PJZ2IIR_Pio/UuQYqPy4xVI/AAAAAAAAIBc/IGp6RQ56XTw/s1600-h/DSC04267%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04267" border="0" alt="DSC04267" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aQAjQl2P9bE/UuQYqmrHV2I/AAAAAAAAIBk/3a65ywKFVdE/DSC04267_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1kpe1_3P16k/UuQYruZ2mfI/AAAAAAAAIBs/cNd9z3ne65M/s1600-h/DSC04461%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04461" border="0" alt="DSC04461" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-C-_g6pb93qc/UuQYsaKvWeI/AAAAAAAAIBw/autzjUNEODM/DSC04461_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></div> <div align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xWct7sECR0s/UuQYunHDcJI/AAAAAAAAICM/TGpggv6P6UM/s1600-h/DSC04270%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04270" border="0" alt="DSC04270" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dXa8rkyZYrw/UuQYvM2EVGI/AAAAAAAAICU/XKkW72wmn78/DSC04270_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Q9sMSM6QWfw/UuQYwU6nlAI/AAAAAAAAICc/X_z_qoe9dDI/s1600-h/DSC04471%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04471" border="0" alt="DSC04471" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-g-blvRuraLU/UuQYwyeN8fI/AAAAAAAAICk/A6v6tHiGs6o/DSC04471_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </div> <div align="justify"><br></div> <div align="justify">Some vendors present their products as perfect gifts to take home; for instance, the olive oil and balsamic vinegar that's packed together in cellophane and tied with ribbon or spice mixes packaged with the name of the campo. Make no mistake about it, that bag of dried vegetables and spices has nothing to do with Carbonara, which is a pasta made with guanciale, eggs, pepper and cheese. It would, however, make a decent soup base or flavoring for a tomato based, vegetarian, pasta sauce. I find it difficult to believe that any native born Italian would have put this product together and said it was a preparation for pasta Carbonara.</div> <div align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-L5fTOp7oXl0/UuQcGUzeSmI/AAAAAAAAIDM/-atqwJrlAzY/s1600-h/DSC04463%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04463" border="0" alt="DSC04463" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-leurEIYGOE8/UuQcG-7ynsI/AAAAAAAAIDU/hw-uwLGjTI0/DSC04463_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="253" height="318"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-or_gpHnmAl4/UuQfNOf7KUI/AAAAAAAAIDc/AFE-ErlM224/s1600-h/DSC04274%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04274" border="0" alt="DSC04274" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jan7qSbPGo8/UuQfNoF71tI/AAAAAAAAIDk/o9lfQMs7fjA/DSC04274_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="318"></a></div> <div align="justify"><br></div> <div align="justify">The truffle products are hard to beat, but don't cost very much more at home, if you can find them. I bought a small jar of Urbani white truffle salt and brought it home. It is much more fragrant than any other truffle salt I have purchased to date. Perhaps it's because the vast majority of truffle salts are made with black truffles.</div><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nAzGc8WDY5w/UuQkQ97cFyI/AAAAAAAAIDw/qWIORj9_Y3w/s1600-h/DSC03693%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC03693" border="0" alt="DSC03693" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ha9os-W9Uc0/UuQkRyIpHZI/AAAAAAAAID4/1VXanNVGbV8/DSC03693_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="516" height="400"></a> <br> <div align="justify"><br></div> <div align="justify">On Saturday you might find more clothing such as a sweater stand. It's apparent that the current focus of most vendors is on the tourist trade, so if your interest is in seeing a functioning neighborhood market, Esquilino and Testaccio may be a better choice. If you are lucky enough to be renting an apartment with a kitchen in this area, then the market and surrounding shops are excellent for making your own meals. These are a few of the items I put together while visiting this neighborhood: A cheese plate consisting of Pecorino Romano with an onion, balsamic, cranberry and apricot jam; a sheep's milk ricotta, the creamiest and sweetest I have ever tasted, with a balsamic and dried cherry reduction (I cheated and brought the cherries and cranberries from home); Goat's cheese and mascarpone covered with walnuts and honey; a meat based pasta sauce; smoked salmon carpaccio with olive oil, lemon and fresh oregano; and various sandwiches made with freshly baked rossetta rolls and pizza bianca pizza from the bakery and cold cuts from the salumerie.</div> <div align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JrTNERjFYjA/UuQnIYNzEBI/AAAAAAAAIEE/2Kp5XsbU1nQ/s1600-h/DSC05269%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC05269" border="0" alt="DSC05269" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JH51w5JXXx0/UuQnI85QhKI/AAAAAAAAIEI/8h3RvLCUtGs/DSC05269_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="174" height="134"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rEwKoPwJ1UM/UuQnJfESmyI/AAAAAAAAIEU/-34c102JK5c/s1600-h/DSC05263%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC05263" border="0" alt="DSC05263" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iqR0fupT_M8/UuQnJyVMYwI/AAAAAAAAIEY/fIZ7TMtTWVE/DSC05263_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="172" height="133"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CJ4F6InNHHc/UuQnKgFaLgI/AAAAAAAAIEk/vc1alIAif2c/s1600-h/DSC05264%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC05264" border="0" alt="DSC05264" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-A1otypA5IgQ/UuQnLEUeU0I/AAAAAAAAIEs/LGJcSuCtulc/DSC05264_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="172" height="133"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iJzuWPSaH_c/UuQy2MmsBlI/AAAAAAAAIE8/4mIqGZWH340/s1600-h/DSC04254%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04254" border="0" alt="DSC04254" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7P7MlUxXbQ0/UuQy2je9J9I/AAAAAAAAIFE/ZaqOQZcVEpc/DSC04254_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="202"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BdiNaI1MSBA/UuQy3RjEIuI/AAAAAAAAIFM/bbnWqyIVioQ/s1600-h/DSC04834%25255B17%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04834" border="0" alt="DSC04834" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nSsBl7SCkx0/UuQy3_iWapI/AAAAAAAAIFU/SkuUVP47_Gc/DSC04834_thumb%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="250" height="203"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7rqUmX42aI0/UuQy4_cinJI/AAAAAAAAIFc/NfxLHg14guI/s1600-h/DSC03630%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC03630" border="0" alt="DSC03630" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6OqeVZxH0ls/UuQy5WdymLI/AAAAAAAAIFk/eOVEXnn8Z9U/DSC03630_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="174" height="149"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tXlI7zPei2I/UuQy6KBEJzI/AAAAAAAAIFs/RXydivbU1Xg/s1600-h/DSC04245%25255B39%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04245" border="0" alt="DSC04245" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-c8LWBuQTy7Q/UuQy6vt_G-I/AAAAAAAAIFw/aRTDfmfdKW8/DSC04245_thumb%25255B35%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="171" height="148"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DaYp-1zEBT0/UuQy7CK1rQI/AAAAAAAAIF8/owKK1Jd4hss/s1600-h/DSC04250%25255B16%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04250" border="0" alt="DSC04250" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-53sYfUmJGjE/UuQy7mUUSuI/AAAAAAAAIGE/TOG-ypyJl3A/DSC04250_thumb%25255B14%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="175" height="147"></a> </div> <div align="justify"><br></div> <div align="justify">Several vendors stood out, perhaps because their displays were so beautifully manicured, but others were noticeable for the personality of the vendors themselves. Leo, the owner or manager of the best looking produce in the entire market was very engaging. One day he asked my name and where I was from, then handed me off to an employee. The next day he introduced me to yet another assistant, but by my name and home town. While I would not call that a pitch, it did produce a sale. The selection of produce was quite wide in range and if you were wondering about the pine cones, you've heard of pignoli or pine nuts, right? The last photo is one of chestnuts, wearing their overcoats.<br><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JDAM8aXGZCs/UuQ3m65bThI/AAAAAAAAIGM/OlTtHV4N138/s1600-h/DSC04279%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04279" border="0" alt="DSC04279" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-27Ir84dASBU/UuQ3nYJpZHI/AAAAAAAAIGQ/r98E5lfmKQo/DSC04279_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HZSgKGMnT2w/UuQ3oBgW1MI/AAAAAAAAIGc/eQgRsWsoxvQ/s1600-h/DSC04280%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04280" border="0" alt="DSC04280" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gP7_GXmJzsQ/UuQ3ohA-DSI/AAAAAAAAIGk/UesoeBKTiCQ/DSC04280_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dhtNGjzLxtU/UuQ3pq7z7yI/AAAAAAAAIGs/DlnX9u3f644/s1600-h/DSC04282%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04282" border="0" alt="DSC04282" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-q63GiEnCj_A/UuQ3qKit8-I/AAAAAAAAIG0/6kQVXm_NwII/DSC04282_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xanTX0nrmqU/UuQ3s4yMkwI/AAAAAAAAIHM/S96xdos660E/s1600-h/DSC04285%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04283" border="0" alt="DSC04283" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Q7BHgBGJ6sU/UuQ_AQ_ssKI/AAAAAAAAIIU/eckTytUHpxE/DSC04283%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04285" border="0" alt="DSC04285" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-t4jBT1In6rI/UuQ3tdqAJII/AAAAAAAAIHU/m7pHNwF2Zj4/DSC04285_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6Xvr4RA9u_c/UuQ3uiS9wuI/AAAAAAAAIHc/MbMrj5xIJG8/s1600-h/DSC04284%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04284" border="0" alt="DSC04284" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5ha7BRuEGbc/UuQ3vKDYThI/AAAAAAAAIHk/AerP0WjFBkk/DSC04284_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-W0ktdNHVtdQ/UuQ3wENFmCI/AAAAAAAAIHs/hIPscEHQnz0/s1600-h/DSC04286%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04286" border="0" alt="DSC04286" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gnkbFeMlxTQ/UuQ3wtZdlOI/AAAAAAAAIH0/iftFRoL_VUo/DSC04286_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1AsljleLLXo/UuQ3xkKv27I/AAAAAAAAIH8/g1_TxJ5mm5g/s1600-h/DSC04277%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04277" border="0" alt="DSC04277" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vSzb6ZpXjL8/UuQ3yCGYypI/AAAAAAAAIIA/GMD7JlhVHK0/DSC04277_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </div> <div align="justify"><br></div> <div align="justify">Prospero, the 78 year old Roman answer to Ron Popeil, was wooing customers with his kitchen tools that shredded, sliced and corkscrewed vegetables. He did this while singing Bibbidy Bobbidy Boo. Who could resist such a pitch? Although his prices were firm, he insisted that if I used his name, the man selling cheese would be happy to offer me a discount. I had to wonder if the cheese monger knew about this "sconto" (discount). By the end of the day when the magic was over, Prospero, much like Cinderella's coach, disappeared and all that remained was a pumpkin, or in this particular case, carrot shreds.</div> <div align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7wWzVt84rag/UuQ_BOm3I4I/AAAAAAAAIIc/tI9fYd9JPTE/s1600-h/DSC04592%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04592" border="0" alt="DSC04592" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-s1h6-V-7BPI/UuQ_Bxb13sI/AAAAAAAAIIk/YPe2QC7oPmw/DSC04592_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QOUViaGHsbk/UuQ_C2bwq1I/AAAAAAAAIIs/emwvMQ-E0rE/s1600-h/DSC04595%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04595" border="0" alt="DSC04595" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HvNefCkC6AI/UuQ_DRFa0OI/AAAAAAAAII0/TRyHrfvQzU0/DSC04595_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FBQ0YhnqhhM/UuQ_EQTsEmI/AAAAAAAAII8/Z26Y0If9HRU/s1600-h/DSC04594%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04594" border="0" alt="DSC04594" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BvyQQ7cfGBw/UuQ_E3O26RI/AAAAAAAAIJE/PjnOWO6O2k0/DSC04594_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZYXpCnIN7x4/UuQ_Fx7IDPI/AAAAAAAAIJM/4dqpZYdRVuQ/s1600-h/DSC04593%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04593" border="0" alt="DSC04593" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OoTzgOZNp78/UuQ_Gfe54XI/AAAAAAAAIJQ/RtuKko20HPk/DSC04593_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6PHM71G90xE/UuQ_HH1CUEI/AAAAAAAAIK8/gFQL1TzazXA/s1600-h/DSC04597%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04597" border="0" alt="DSC04597" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-u0bCqdX66f0/UuQ_Hjed4iI/AAAAAAAAILE/yIjUMpIYMcM/DSC04597_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="245" height="301"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cYygkYgYpzY/UuQ_ICv-cjI/AAAAAAAAILM/F_nESSplIbQ/s1600-h/DSC04630%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04630" border="0" alt="DSC04630" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iz-a9Bf0YTg/UuQ_I4Ae2oI/AAAAAAAAILU/TrW6A2X6d6c/DSC04630_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="301"></a></div> <div align="justify"><br></div> <div align="justify">Because of the large number of restaurants surrounding the campo, it becomes a convenient place for your morning cappuccino. You can watch the hustle and bustle of the market while you're leisurely sipping your drink. During the day the menus change from pastries and coffee, to pasta, panini and pizza. In the early evenings you can still find something to snack on. If you need that cappuccino or tea, don't be shy about asking for them if you can't find them on the menu. As I worked my way through the sea of restaurants I found that many were willing to accommodate you with these drinks, even the pizzeria and mozzarella bar.</div> <div align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LdbC6ynRz64/UuRVRQ8fU1I/AAAAAAAAILk/nG2vsRXprcQ/s1600-h/DSC04265%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04265" border="0" alt="DSC04265" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0y9NODUWyuw/UuRVRzDrU_I/AAAAAAAAILo/dVgrvJP_1mo/DSC04265_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NuakUCz88E8/UuRaQCy_rII/AAAAAAAAISE/AT55YDwz3d0/s1600-h/DSC04846%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04846" border="0" alt="DSC04846" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--P_0HDQE-7c/UuRaQxNTXHI/AAAAAAAAISI/2gIkGuFc8y0/DSC04846_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Cv9AbFW1dVQ/UuRVT3OMXRI/AAAAAAAAIME/WdQEc0VBicQ/s1600-h/DSC03540%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC03540" border="0" alt="DSC03540" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iZ5Z3zi7Ak4/UuRVUXZPKqI/AAAAAAAAIMM/XpN2H-Y5NbM/DSC03540_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7u8JOmZtDlo/UuRVVVeQwII/AAAAAAAAIMU/R7oku6gPzHU/s1600-h/DSC03682%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC03682" border="0" alt="DSC03682" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5mw88dStiGo/UuRVV9AE0lI/AAAAAAAAIMY/vEY9wR_Vp8g/DSC03682_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></div> <div align="justify"><br></div> <div align="justify">If you're looking for good pastry to go with your coffee, I would recommend that you buy them from a bakery rather than at a restaurant. The selection will be much better and fresher. I would direct you to Il Fornaio, the long-standing neighborhood bakery two short blocks away on Via Dei Baullari, the street that bisects the campo. You'll recognize it by a large plastic case holding a huge mortadella, or in this case, a large roasted porchetta. This bakery is also very good for sandwiches and focaccia or what the Romans call Pizza Bianca. </div> <div align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jnayvanLoGw/UuRVWUehCmI/AAAAAAAAIMk/J8weSihrkW4/s1600-h/DSC04591%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04591" border="0" alt="DSC04591" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lHk5HLuHb5k/UuRVW1Fp7JI/AAAAAAAAIMs/8VlzdC7eixQ/DSC04591_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="256" height="324"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jAzJp23ljiM/UuRVXlmhETI/AAAAAAAAIM0/OiaJwwYFmYw/s1600-h/DSC03791%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC03791" border="0" alt="DSC03791" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-e07KhiGX1r4/UuRVYAXSatI/AAAAAAAAIM8/LVHK5aAtRqw/DSC03791_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="249" height="324"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-di12M2W1kkI/UuRVZPHg_FI/AAAAAAAAINE/_lfakcPtzwU/s1600-h/DSC04572%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04572" border="0" alt="DSC04572" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4sI9QqC2e-c/UuRVZpdRdII/AAAAAAAAINM/Cb4TyCN4InE/DSC04572_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JAwkq3Q9KgU/UuRVaYbhNMI/AAAAAAAAINU/WGxcE4zMbqI/s1600-h/DSC04571%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04571" border="0" alt="DSC04571" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RDrZV-gfP40/UuRVa8261AI/AAAAAAAAINY/fRLqC-zMDQ8/DSC04571_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--Xu9Bmd08g8/UuRVbixJaSI/AAAAAAAAINk/Eu2BEOQoaMw/s1600-h/DSC04574%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04574" border="0" alt="DSC04574" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iA275WbGLZs/UuRVcIgnH9I/AAAAAAAAINs/uJOicEnJDbQ/DSC04574_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YI6eL97BVuU/UuRVdCsYWiI/AAAAAAAAIN0/l0VoHEnQS_g/s1600-h/DSC04581%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04581" border="0" alt="DSC04581" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8S19laLwyCk/UuRVdv9FBNI/AAAAAAAAIN8/h95VioK74tI/DSC04581_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </div> <div align="justify">Now let's take a look at those pastires. Il Fornaio's selection is extensive.<br><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pNI5Cp7rzuA/UuRVebXkimI/AAAAAAAAIXQ/IrG1Vaf5yxg/s1600-h/DSC04564%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04564" border="0" alt="DSC04564" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tmtYM10LP94/UuRVe6gMHaI/AAAAAAAAIXY/Ny8PDLPYTpw/DSC04564_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="585" height="457"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2-Px7ckpjPU/UuRViuKR7kI/AAAAAAAAIO0/7i9n0QNxS1w/s1600-h/DSC04568%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04568" border="0" alt="DSC04568" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AFMDvUhbTt0/UuRVjA9c32I/AAAAAAAAIO4/_ErPJMgoHfg/DSC04568_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-x8uNRtBgl-o/UuRVjzc6KRI/AAAAAAAAIPE/081XTM4Isy4/s1600-h/DSC04570%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04570" border="0" alt="DSC04570" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PthrHaOwCRU/UuRVkhEVPKI/AAAAAAAAIPM/U6E4E7GdGmM/DSC04570_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xW4Jl0uwqFI/UuRVlmliO-I/AAAAAAAAIPU/58eS7liqOGE/s1600-h/DSC04587%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04587" border="0" alt="DSC04587" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qQg-h08EtnE/UuRVmXx_-cI/AAAAAAAAIPc/A4qQmcKbKEY/DSC04587_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-I-xDStG4-_o/UuRVhNYs-gI/AAAAAAAAIOk/QYHHA1L0XWw/s1600-h/DSC04580%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04580" border="0" alt="DSC04580" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mZsPSKNyBEQ/UuRVh3bVWlI/AAAAAAAAIOo/7_bsFS7Bex0/DSC04580_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-E_IxqcHtkAI/UuRq9bkbnKI/AAAAAAAAIXg/Fzsw8lchzT0/s1600-h/DSC03792%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC03792" border="0" alt="DSC03792" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kQdseiHXndw/UuRq-N7KWbI/AAAAAAAAIXo/n2_CMsuVzUE/DSC03792_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BeVbGGcw40Y/UuRq-4ttWdI/AAAAAAAAIXw/VxAEEAFdLvA/s1600-h/DSC04566%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04566" border="0" alt="DSC04566" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KQBC0MSGkdY/UuRq_bxiITI/AAAAAAAAIX4/lpLI3mAfzvo/DSC04566_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mzmKN7vwvFg/UuRVf3itZnI/AAAAAAAAIYA/dEfkXlttmwk/s1600-h/DSC04569%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04569" border="0" alt="DSC04569" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-c9UNhpP87SA/UuRVgawOweI/AAAAAAAAIYI/5dr0-KGbc1Q/DSC04569_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="584" height="452"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Yy_Ep5v4qvI/UuRVnNtIuQI/AAAAAAAAIPk/4yFXvddr5KU/s1600-h/DSC04567%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04567" border="0" alt="DSC04567" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PEPqXZtae0A/UuRVn6SZPtI/AAAAAAAAIPs/F5kjtpKNSbc/DSC04567_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-clMDFP24Aa4/UuRaRo4x54I/AAAAAAAAISU/mptmZ4qXKOw/s1600-h/DSC04582%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04582" border="0" alt="DSC04582" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pCtjwOi2u2U/UuRaSCUFUkI/AAAAAAAAISc/ioNq_ywdKCU/DSC04582_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jO3JTF1olio/UuRVqNS2aQI/AAAAAAAAIQE/EdLwiGx-fEc/s1600-h/DSC04585%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04585" border="0" alt="DSC04585" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Qac5rr4q59A/UuRVql9LxsI/AAAAAAAAIQM/YlQUmyoJmWY/DSC04585_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-489nWE85LRk/UuRVrq-4j6I/AAAAAAAAIQU/ly8LErcADyY/s1600-h/DSC03788%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC03788" border="0" alt="DSC03788" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--5OPrwVnpY0/UuRVsCRgA2I/AAAAAAAAIQc/WpTcHPhJBiM/DSC03788_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XHYdD9czhHA/UuRVtE1sgYI/AAAAAAAAIQk/yIr4pF_lCFA/s1600-h/DSC03790%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC03790" border="0" alt="DSC03790" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LoRUSKJJ-OI/UuRVteB1uuI/AAAAAAAAIQo/FkDaR1CsOPw/DSC03790_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ice0BUs-QCA/UuRVuB-RlEI/AAAAAAAAIQ0/cq2AqaGxGBA/s1600-h/DSC04589%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04589" border="0" alt="DSC04589" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXPZpITXirB5odMGFSG7AfHU2a1AJFUR4Kx3wD0wCT8l2qI2HW7zVqoBw1iqHFwxmOMpBylrZhMEVcLL_mZ9a1nmC1l0DLMNnj2CRNBL-kLBusZ_C3PNnlwAXIdY5BqbR7Xv7Bw/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </div> <div align="justify"><br></div> <div align="justify">Forno Campo Dei Fiore is a bakery well known for baking excellent Pizza Bianca and sandwiches made with it, but their pastries are few, mostly biscotti. I recommend it for take out sandwiches when you are on your way to walk along the Tevere river just a few blocks away. If it does not seem to you that there is enough Mortadella in that panini, keep in mind that in Italy sauce is a condiment for pasta and used sparingly, and cold cuts are used in the same way, since the bread is the most important element.</div> <div align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-G2osiGlgRK8/UuWXguU8zII/AAAAAAAAIaM/u-bJRaJsW1c/s1600-h/DSC04631%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04631" border="0" alt="DSC04631" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4Pkr0O8uMkU/UuWXhpNF-mI/AAAAAAAAIaQ/DHP-h5AMvPw/DSC04631_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-scBTe7_f0No/UuWXijLQSqI/AAAAAAAAIac/L10kWt0q2xc/s1600-h/DSC04845%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04845" border="0" alt="DSC04845" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EqRdicKnqo8/UuWXjsxR6GI/AAAAAAAAIak/J6Al3rITz_s/DSC04845_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="306" height="242"></a> </div> <div align="justify"><br></div> <div align="justify">Later in the evening, when the vendors have packed away their goods and left the area, the bars start attracting young customers from all over the city. Those too young for the bars, work their way to the gelaterie in the area, but always end up in the campo. </div> <div align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Num6JCAPLvg/UuRVx4cR27I/AAAAAAAAIRk/EwARi6UwwrA/s1600-h/DSC03659%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC03659" border="0" alt="DSC03659" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1pCJ9ThW-Ns/UuRVyXkWxPI/AAAAAAAAIRo/CSw2LSeX78A/DSC03659_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vfHfWf1Znqc/UuRVzQjIIbI/AAAAAAAAIR0/ZeaElJ0Tmr8/s1600-h/DSC05125%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC05125" border="0" alt="DSC05125" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ycCVQWe30J0/UuRVzznOboI/AAAAAAAAIR8/pvpfpup_gN0/DSC05125_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="312" height="243"></a> </div> <div align="justify"><br></div> <div align="justify">Hungry yet? Not only are there 10 or more restaurants in Campo Dei Fiore itself, you can also find many more clustered on the side streets. They range in price as well as quality, serving the classic dishes or more imaginative renditions of the classics, all the while using seasonal ingredients. The seasons can be long in Italy, as was evidenced by fresh artichokes and asparagus in October. Hopefully the tradition of eating locally and seasonally has not gone the way of the siesta, a 2-3 hour break in the middle of the work day.</div> <div align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7ECH68ywrVM/UuRdag6qUQI/AAAAAAAAIWo/xelcR2Aoxr0/s1600-h/DSC05124%25255B17%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC05124" border="0" alt="DSC05124" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7_bwtnKca3A/UuRdbd48CSI/AAAAAAAAIWw/qDNemG2D8SM/DSC05124_thumb%25255B15%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="326" height="289"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-O7ZnSdT5Lhw/UuRdcJQosUI/AAAAAAAAIW4/gXMs5IVT6KE/s1600-h/DSC04341%25255B15%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04341" border="0" alt="DSC04341" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LWdKYzgDaiI/UuRdc-qvkXI/AAAAAAAAIXA/rypRcP77zu0/DSC04341_thumb%25255B13%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="207" height="289"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3PPIWz5BAD0/UuRde_ubu8I/AAAAAAAAIWY/LUEUmhZvAH0/s1600-h/DSC03536%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC03536" border="0" alt="DSC03536" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qYdnw0scdFc/UuRdfZRiDPI/AAAAAAAAIWg/T_Om2hvDuFc/DSC03536_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="265" height="213"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4375E9QE6KM/UuRddiGitoI/AAAAAAAAIU4/NHwoatS6NZw/s1600-h/DSC04340%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSC04340" border="0" alt="DSC04340" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hkCnpTWLyLc/UuRdeHqWzYI/AAAAAAAAIVA/EeV3IwkXWHc/DSC04340_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="264" height="213"></a></div> Vita d'Orohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12264556946744893084noreply@blogger.com0