The Traveling Blogcrastinator: Devouring Madrid

In the evening we took a lovely food tour called "Tapas, Taverns, and History" with Devour Madrid. Our guide, Hagar, did a great job leading our group of six through an evening of history, food, and drink. At our first three stops we would eat standing up, as is common in Spanish bars.

First we stopped at Taberna Real to learn about Iberian ham and vermouth. Iberian ham is special because the pigs eat only acorns and they are a special breed of pig.

First stop: Taberna Real. Another beautiful tile street sign.

Hagar speaks to our group in front of Taberna Real

While Hagar was talking to us, an interesting procession passed by.

Inside, we realized we were very hungry and thirsty.

Hagar offers us olives

Tasting vermouth. It was sweet and nice.

Jamon Iberico

Vegetarian option

Peeling tomatoes. Each one of the hams in the background is worth at least 1500 euros.

Our second stop featured grilled mushrooms, flash-fried peppers, and tinto. Tinto is like sangria, but lighter. According to Hagar, Spaniards never drink sangria.

Mesón del Champiñón

Peppers and mushrooms in the small area where the grilling occurs

At the mushroom bar

Vegetarian or chorizo stuffing

Hagar showed us a special way to eat these mushrooms. You hold the toothpicks and pull them down until they are horizontal, and then pop the whole mushroom in your mouth.

Our third stop was La Casa del Abuelo, where we tried sizzling garlic and chili shrimp with wine or tinto. The shrimp was really good. It was incredibly hot - the oil sizzled for minutes.

Here is a short video of the sizzling, delicious shrimp that was served to us:

Continuing on, we found ourselves at Casa Toni, a small informal restaurant.

Window display at Casa Toni: _____________, sweetbreads, and intestines wound around a stick and fried

Sweetbreads, cooked. I forced myself to try them. They tasted like some sort of meat, but nothing special. I only had one bite. I don't need to try them again.