Málaga - Tapadaki

What I want to talk to you in this second post of the series is the restaurant Tapadaki. As the name hints, it serves a Spanish-Japanese fusion. I've told you countless times, fusion is my favourite, so this was right up my street.

The three of us hadn't made a reservation and it being a Saturday, we had to wait a while but we ordered some drinks and took a few snaps to fill the time. 

Also I'd like to state from the beginning that while I really like photography (the three cameras give me away), food photography really isn't my thing. However, I thought I would include the photos to give you an idea of what they look like. Though hopefully if you get to go, you'll realise I didn't do them justice.

The beauty of both tapas and sushi menus is that the dishes are only small and designed to be shared, so you can try lots without breaking the bank. Plus if you like something you can reorder. We do that a lot!

Ensalada de algas wakamecon sésamo y vinagreta de chili dulce.
We started with a seaweed salad. A personal favourite for something very light and very green to eat between bites of meat, fish or starchy rice.

I feel like this is a translation exam. Please forgive my attempts and as a note for the Spanish readers, feel free to contribute a better way translation by commenting. 

Nem de rabo de toro con espuma de patatas trufada.

This one here is a spring roll filled with tender oxtail meat (a Spanish delicacy) with a potato truffle foam.

Fideos tostados con langostinos salteados y ali oli de pears gratinados.

Toasted noodles with sautéed prawns and gratinéed pear alioli.

Tartar de pez mantequilla con aderezo de miso y mayonesa de wasabi.
Tartare made of Atlantic halibut (or so Wikipedia claims in its translation) and avocado with a miso dressing and wasabi mayonnaise.

Salmón con aguacate y cubierto de sésamo.
And from the Uramaki section, a salmon and avocado one, because you can't go wrong with that combo.

Even with a reorder of a couple of the things we really liked, it was still very reasonable and price is just one of many reasons why I would recommend that you go - and I'm not just saying that because they offered us a complimentary toffee vodka chupito (shot) at the end.

I just wish they would open one of these in Madrid. If you do know of any great fusion restaurants, feel free to recommend them to me. 

Wowee this post has made me hungry. Luckily I'm going to Lateral tonight!

Málaga - April No Showers

This post is the first of three on our second trip to Málaga, in April. While the next two posts will be focussed recommendations, this one will be more of a general look.

This is the Museo Carmen Thyssen, an art collection housed in a beautiful building with a courtyard in the centre where the sunlight floods in,

I am incredibly jealous of Ruth's DSLR for it's crisp photographs. One for the wish-list. I never look this good!

I particularly enjoyed having a look at the works by Spanish artists with Spanish themes, for example those that depict the Andalusian coastline or corridas de toros (bullfights).

It wouldn't be a blog post of mine if I didn't give food a mention. While we had colacao and tejeringos (a Malagueñan churros equivalent that's also served with chocolate) in December, this time we ate torrijas (a Spanish kind of french toast) in a terrace while we watched them set up the seats for Semana Santa the following week.

Going to Málaga? You must visit the ever famous El Pimpi. It's not like anywhere else, with the whitewashed walls, covered with foliage or photos of celebrities who have been. Being an old bodega you can see all of the barrels inside which are signed by yet more of the actors, dancers, designers, and politicians who have sampled their drinks. The thing to try here is vino dulce, Málaga's sweet wine.

I love this picture, which first featured on my Instagram, of the roadside florist we saw before hopping on a bus to the beach,

El sur

My Oxford friend Ruth is living down in Málaga at the moment for her year abroad so Maria and I thought at the end of 2013 we'd capitalise on the situation and take the high speed AVE down to visit. The AVE is somewhat pricey, but you're there in just over two hours which is very impressive for what would be a five in the car.

Our weekend involved eating, drinking, seeing the sites, and some more eating - you know, for good measure.

Julia Cupcakes were divine,

One of the highlights for me was the calamari with squid-ink alioli,

A tetería, which are these North African tea-rooms. Picture yourself with a cinnamon-sweetened coffee, mint tea or smoothie made with fruits and spices,

The city is walk-able yet there's still quite a lot to see, even in winter when the beach isn't as much of an option.

Here's my photo of the Roman Theatre's museum which reminds me of some sort of advertising poster,

A green-eyed cat just snoozing between the Teatro Romano and Alcazaba,

This place by the port, complete with Andalusian orange trees,

And the cathedral on street view mode,

We actually liked Málaga (and like Ruth) so much that we went back just before Easter and that trip will be the subject of my three posts.

Fútbol

With everyone getting hyped up about the Champions League this weekend with both teams in the final being from Madrid, I've started to think about the World Cup - the only football I really follow.

I'm enjoying all the songs coming out vying to be this one's Waving Flag or Waka Waka. I have to say, I do like Shakira''a new video.

Something to keep you going today. Almost the weekend guys.

Maquís

Hadn't really understood the appeal of a pop-up store until I got to Madrid and my area, Barrio de Salamanca is full of them.

My favourite though is Maquís & Co. on Maldonado. So it hosts brands three days a week (Thursday, Friday and Saturday) in its store, grouping them based on a theme, for instance, christmas presents, vintage clothing, weddings, and even art. I went to one based around primavera (spring) and the small space was filled with colourful clothing, costume jewellery, flowers and paper garlands. They also offered me a hand exfoliation and moisturiser as a demonstration for the products.

I've been to others since then, the LOVE themed one was pretty good and I bought a great new top for going out. I urge you to go to the next one. Who knows what you could find.

I left feeling good despite the fact that I hadn't bought anything, with my email on the mailing list, extremely soft hands and a heart-shaped lollipop for the road.

Chiconi por favor

This was our bill from a Dominican restaurant I went to with Ger and the girls, Paloma, Paty, Andrea and Marcy. What do you suppose the sixth one down is? Chiconi, in other words that's a Gin-tonic. Cracked us up.

Holiday

Going home for Easter was a lovely break. Think I'd have long holidays working in a school? In Spain they only give you a measly week at Easter. However, I used that week wisely to spend time with friends, family and do a fair bit of eating. This post is part lifestyle blog, part random photos I'd like to share (jeje).

I miss the little Wilks so much when in Madrid. My favourite model,

Ger always makes claims that you see the most interesting cars in London. Here are a couple of good ones,

 

My godmother took me out to lunch at Brasserie Blanc on the terrace in the middle of Covent Garden piazza. I had the most delicious caramel soufflé from the specials board.

My trip to London wouldn't have been complete without seeing Parima (P.S. of Deep Meaningless Conversations). Botanist brunch babes. I recommend the buttermilk blueberry pancakes. While on the expensive side, especially if you add in a freshly squeezed juice like we did, it is a lovely little treat to yourself and I'd have breakfast for lunch any day.

For the Easter weekend we headed out to Gloucestershire and my country house. In spite of the April weather, we decided to barbecue. 

Definitely try this one at home: turkey mince, feta and black olive burgers with fried halloumi in a pitta bread, accompanied by sweet potato fries sprinkled with paprika and a crunchy green salad.

Look at these babies we picked up from Tesco. Wildly appropriate napkins. Oh and yes, I ate more than half our table's decorations, even after an impressive slice of that moist Betty Crocker red velvet beauty Mum made.

Sorry this post is quite so late. 

Enjoy your Wednesday dear readers.

Salmorejo

For a quick snackette of a dinner but still a place with charm, you should hit up Dónde Mónica. I came across it walking from Serrano up Padilla and although it's tucked away behind leafy walls, I managed to spot the menu on the street. Therefore that night, I decided it would be a great place for dinner with Ger, especially since we were in the mood for something simple.

After sharing a veal carpaccio, I went for the salmorejo - a steal at 3,90€. For those of you unfamiliar with what that is, it's like gazpacho (the famous Spanish cold tomato soup) but made with bread so more substantial - great for a light, summer dinner.

The interior has a sweet sort of homey-feeling, and they have a lovely outside terrace with three or four tables and romantic lighting. Being small though, I imagine if you go on a weekend you might have to wait. We went last Tuesday and there was no wait at all. Perfect.