Semana Santa in Jerez de la Fronter and Sevilla

[marktynernyc]

Mainly did tapas for lunchand afteroon snacks:

Enrique Becerra

c / Gamazo 2

It was still early so the tapas bar was fairly empty. Started

with shrimp and avocado salad with a manzanilla then foie

gras on toasted points with plum with an amontillado. I think

the bill came to about 8E.

Berrocal

c/ Moratin 15

Had read that this is where to get your fill of wild game. Unfortunately

they had a modified menu for Holy Week and were only serving raciones.

I tried slices aburgien with a solmorejo sprinkled with bits of ham and

garlic - not bad.

Casablanca

c/ Zaragoza 50

Near plaza nueva.

This was the first real packed tapas bar - I tried the medium mashed

patatas that was drizzled with really fresh olive oil and a beef dish -

tender chunks of beef served on roasted potatoes - the juices flavoring

the potatoes, the meat so tender. The crowd was lively and fun - met a

man from Havana, Cuba. There is a restaurant in the back, I believe.

Albariza

c/ Betis 6

Located along the river in Triana.

Was reviewed in NYT. They were only serving raciones for Holy Week.

I had a plate of various pork products (15.00E) and marinated bacalo

in a wonderful saffron broth (12.00E), along with some of those big,

meaty, bruised colored olives. All very good but the best was the palo

cortado (5.00E). It was so delicious, satisfying, revelatory I had 2 copitas.

Bar Espana at Egana-Oriza

c/ San Fernando, 41

Located near the Plaza de Espana - outside seating available. Stopped

off for some croquetas caseras de jamon (2.70E) and ensalada de

mariscos (4.10) - but the real treat was the cream sherry I had -

chilled, slightly sweet, but still light on the palate.

La Giganta

c/Alhondiga, 6 - near Plaza de los Terceros

Had read they are known for their sauces. There is outside seating

next to Iglesia Santa Catalina. Met a woman from Helsinki while nibbling

and imbibing. Tried pringa casera (1.75E) and lomo cerdo salsa (1.75E),

washed down with a couple manzanillas (1.40E each).

El Rinconcillo

c/ Gerona 40 - near Plaza de los Terceros - next to Plaza de Ponce de

Leon. They really do write your bill on the bar (try that in NYC). I tried

a couple chorizos, thickly sliced , some cheese and a few amontillados -

I think the bill came to about 6E. Met a group from Marseille- fun place.

El Colmado

Plaza Ponce de Leon

Had read they are known for their wine and cheese. There is 15% service

charge for sitting outside. I had a small dish of ham and a couple finos -

would like to come back and try their various cheeses and wines.

Tapas Robles

c/ Alvares Quintero, 58

just around the corner from Casa Robles

I popped in for just a quick pick me up of boquerones (1.95E), marinated

mussels (1.95) and couple manzanillas (1.65 E each) before heading off to

Plaza Nueva to see a pasos. I did notice a couple having a sampler plate

of various tapas.

Bar Estrella

c/ Estrella 3

Santa Cruz district

"...unusual tapas, not frequented by tourist trade, popular with locals..."

They were only serving raciones at the sit down tables and the stand up

table outside were full. Ordered salmoreo con huevo duro, melva y jambon

(racione - 7.85E) and the croquetas de cabrales con cabello de angel (racione -

9.00E). The salmorejo was fine - the croquetas dabbed with a bit of cabello de

angel were dense and chewey. I would have prefered a tapas serving

instead of 10 croquetas. Menu looked very interesting.

Edited April 12, 2005 by marktynernyc (log)

[TarteTatin]

Bump.

I know this may sound ridiculous to some, but we are planning a trip to Sherry country sometime between Nov '09 and March '10. Okay, it's over a year away, but part of my fun is dreaming!

It will be for a combination 50th for me and my best girlfriend, along with our husbands.

My husband and I have been to France about 25 times, mainly to study wine...and eat a lot.

We've also been to Madeira and Italy, and California, etc.

BUT, believe it or not, we've never been to Spain!

SO, our first place to visit will be to Sherry.

Jerez, Seville, etc.

If you have any advice regarding food, wine, or wine routes, we'd love it!

Gracias in advance!

(My girlfriend's husband speaks fluent Spanish, but the rest of us do not)

[Rogelio]

Add Sanlúcar de Barrameda to your itinerary. There's plenty of information about all this places in the Forum.

[cakewalk]

Add Sanlúcar de Barrameda to your itinerary. There's plenty of information about all this places in the Forum.

←

Not food related, but since you're planning to be there anyway: every February in Jerez de la Frontera there is the Flamenco Festival. If you're there during the week (or 10 days) it is held, try to get to some dance performances. (You can also take classes -- bring your ruby slippers!) It will help you work up an appetite. Also -- lots of nice fish restaurants in Cadiz, a brief train ride away from Jerez. Enjoy.