Tapas Suggestions

Well I am leaving in less than 2 weeks for Spain and I am trying to come up with last minute questions that I have. First of all, I am not a big vegetable eater, never have been, probably never will be, what Tapas would you recommend trying that aren't made with vegetables? I mean I eat a couple of vegetables but there are some that are just out of the question, i.e tomatoes, peas, green peppers, olives, squash, broccoli, cauliflower, I am sure there are more, if there are not listed they probably don't thoroughly disgust me...Can anyone give me suggestions?

Tapas
Serve a selection of little morsels: shrimp, white albacore tuna, roasted red peppers, green olives, chunks of sweet French bread, anchovies; green onion, spinach, or potato fritatta.

You should try the meatballs (albondigas), the chicken croquettes (croquetas) and of course the cured ham (jamon serrano) and manchego cheese. Enjoy!

Now that we have the goods where do we go for the treats to do the tapa tango?

For great tapas i would suggest 2 awesome places on Calle San Bernardo. Take the metro to san bernardo(brown line or red line, or else walk up san bernardo from gran via). There are 2 places on this street that I love! One is called La Taparia, and i can never remember the name of the other one, but it's right across the street. So when you get out of the metro you have to start walking towards Gran Via(downhill), but these places are really at the top of the street, so you won't have to walk far. There's a nice pizza restuarant right there too(with some 100 or more diferent pizzas)...yummy...
anyways, i know i´m not great at giving directions so if someone is really interested in going to these places, send me an email and i'll try to explain better.
Saludos,

Rhonda,
please send me those tapa bar directions you spoke of please:
paloofo@hotmail.com

Thanks,
Joe

[This message has been edited by MadridMan (edited 02-26-2001).]

Ronda, I agree with Joe Medano, where in Spain are these places you mention?? I didn't see a location in your posting. Thanks!

Amy25, other non-vegetable tapas that I love would include patatas bravas (I know that potatoes are really a vegetable, but who doesn't love potatoes??), croquetas con jamon, sometimes paella is served as a tapa (yum!), and what about those delicious calamares?!!

Please return here to this/your thread when you come back to tell us what non-vegetable tapas you liked most.

Saludos, MadridMan

[This message has been edited by MadridMan (edited 02-26-2001).]

Rhonda, I would like directions to the places you recommended. What is the atmosphere like and what did you eat at these places that impressed you so much? Do you also remember the name of the pizza place? Sorry I have to ask because it is my husbands fave food and he could not go 3 weeks without it...Couldn't find your e-mail address--here is mine CSnugle@aol.com Thanks much!

Hi everyone...sorry for the delay.... The places i talked about are in Madrid(in case that wasn´t clear!). Hmmm... i think the best way for me to give better directions is to actually go by there later and get the actual street numbers. Then you won't have any problems finding it.
I was impressed by these two places for different reasons. And they are quite distinct. When I get the names and numbers i will give more details on what i ate there and how 'ricisimo' it all was....
Saludos,
Rhonda

I'm waiting, too! Hey, is rhonda the official "person on the beat" for this website? She (it is she, right?) it really hitting the pavement for that "up close and personal" report on specific places in Madrid. When do you find the time, rhonda?

Yes, i'm a she... And unfortunately i haven't had time to go by those places yet and get the numbers.... Tengo mucho trabjo esta semana. Muchisimo. But i will really try to get them before friday. And...my email is r2aylward@hotmail.com in case anyone has more questions(i might not check back here before friday).
saludos
Rhonda

Hey look! I am a member now, I am so proud.
Thanks for the suggestions. I am taking the tavern crawl with Andres on Friday next week. I'll let you know what I think, when I get back.
I can't wait to get there.


[This message has been edited by Amy25 (edited 03-02-2001).]

Avoid the tripas in salsa de tomate! All the other tapas are wonderful!

Tripas cause lots of people trouble. Also, avoid meatballs (albondigas) and other meat products that aren't cooked right away. But do try fresh ensaladilla rusa (a yummie potato salad), pincho moruno (shish kebob-- make sure that pork isn't pink!!! mine often is in Spain, and I worry); boquerones fritos (fried little fish, yumm).