The first photo is of the Puerta de Alcalá.
This second shot is looking back toward the Puerta de Alcalá (on Calle Alcalá).
This is the Christmas tree in the Puerta del Sol.
And this is a shot of one of the sidestreets that leads to Sol.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Night Lights in Madrid
In Spain, the Christmas festivities last until January 6th, the Day of the Kings. For the duration of our stay in Madrid, the streets of the center were lit up with lovely white (and sometimes blue) designs.
The first photo is of the Puerta de Alcalá.
This second shot is looking back toward the Puerta de Alcalá (on Calle Alcalá).
This is the Christmas tree in the Puerta del Sol.
And this is a shot of one of the sidestreets that leads to Sol.
The first photo is of the Puerta de Alcalá.
This second shot is looking back toward the Puerta de Alcalá (on Calle Alcalá).
This is the Christmas tree in the Puerta del Sol.
And this is a shot of one of the sidestreets that leads to Sol.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Help!
I need your help! I'm entering a photo contest for shots taken while studying abroad. I've taken all 35 contenders and narrowed them down to only 4. However, I can only submit 3 and I need to eliminate one.
Please take a moment to look them over and comment on which is your favorite. It would be very helpful! Thanks!
Please take a moment to look them over and comment on which is your favorite. It would be very helpful! Thanks!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Confusion averted!
I figured out what was going on with my "duck" at MUSSOL Restaurante!
The title of the dish said "magrete de pato" but since the description only said "pechuga de pato" (breast of duck), I brushed aside the word "magrete" because I assumed it was a Catalan word that I did not know. The truth is, I did not know the word, but it's not just a Catalan one.
Thanks to a few sites, I now know that a duck magret is indeed a duck breast, but that of a duck that has been fattened for foie gras. Since the duck is force-fed a diet that is high in corn, the pectoral muscles become stronger and the flesh has a less-tender texture, but the taste as well is decidedly different than traditional duck breast. Hence, the confusion in my taste buds.
Check out my sources here and here.
The title of the dish said "magrete de pato" but since the description only said "pechuga de pato" (breast of duck), I brushed aside the word "magrete" because I assumed it was a Catalan word that I did not know. The truth is, I did not know the word, but it's not just a Catalan one.
Thanks to a few sites, I now know that a duck magret is indeed a duck breast, but that of a duck that has been fattened for foie gras. Since the duck is force-fed a diet that is high in corn, the pectoral muscles become stronger and the flesh has a less-tender texture, but the taste as well is decidedly different than traditional duck breast. Hence, the confusion in my taste buds.
Check out my sources here and here.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
MUSSOL Restaurante
On the prowl for Catalán cuisine, we sought out the flagship of MUSSOL Restaurante's four locations: the restaurant on Carrer Casp, 19, in Barcelona's Centro district (Metro: Passeig De Gràcia or Urquinaona).
We started out with the traditional Catalán coca (toasted bread with olive oil, garlic, and tomato). For the main dishes, I ordered pato (which means duck in Castellano), but my "duck" was decidedly beefy tasting, so I was a bit confused to say the least. It came paired with some lovely roasted apples.Overall, MUSSOL has a reputation for serving traditional farmhouse food in a big city setting. Prices per person average 15,00€. It's worth a try!
For more information on MUSSOL, check out their site in English, Castellano or Català...
OR click here for a more thorough description of their menu and decor.
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