A Taste of Mérida and Madrid

Posted on Feb 4th, 2015

by Johanna

Categories:

And, it’s time for the next installment of “ridiculously delicious things I ate abroad.” Man do I love food.

On our way to Madrid, we stopped in Mérida to check out some Roman ruins dating back to the 2nd century B.C. And of course to get a hearty lunch. We decided upon a little spot called Rex Numitor and set out to try some regional cuisine.

Mushrooms with soft eggs and truffle sauce over potato mash.

Swordfish a la plancha stuffed with shrimp and served with shrimp.

There's always room for dessert when it looks like this. — There’s always room for dessert when it looks like this.

My favorite dinner in Madrid was at Botín, a charming little restaurant just outside Plaza Mayor that just happens to be the oldest restaurant in the world. Although initially annoyed by Dad’s obsession to locate Botín before locating a cocktail, I understood once I tried the suckling pig. It was also neat to eat where I know so many of my family members have made memories so many years ago.

This roast suckling pig was ridiculous. Crispy skin, meat that just melts in your mouth. Although I suppose after 290 years you'd expect them to have gotten it right. — This roast suckling pig was ridiculous. Crispy skin, meat that just melts in your mouth. Although I suppose after 290 years you’d expect them to have gotten it right.

Sliders with caramelized foie gras and truffle mousse at La Cabrera. — Awesome sliders with caramelized foie gras and truffle mousse at La Cabrera. Also, the bar tenders weren’t so bad to look at.

By our last night in Madrid we had enjoyed two lunches packed full of traditional Spanish tapas (I promise, you’ll hear about those soon), and believe it or not we were ready for some non-traditional Spanish nibbles. Luckily, a new friend pointed us in the direction of Yakitoro, a Japanese-Spanish fusion restaurant that turned out to be just the thing.