Feeding Isa, with her bored appetite…

So after a while, you get the point of Spanish tapas dishes: ok, it’s kind of not representative of the “haute cuisine” (not tested yet) here in Madrid, but CLEARLY, the Spaniards know what they want to eat in bars/cafeterias/tapas places: jamon iberico (specific spanish ham), quejo manchego curado (well made hard cheese, also exists in semi-curado and viejo), aceitunas (green olives), ensaladilla rusa (vegetables and potato salad with mayonnaise), boquerones (exquisite FRESH marinated anchovies) and of course, the fried stuff: croquetas, calamaris, etc…
After a while, my pregnant and world-traveller eater of a wife got bored with these staples of Spanish food.

Good asian food is hard to get… so I make it!

OK, we tried only 2 so far but eventhough there was a “little” improvement, still not quite the right kind of food.
First was Japanese (from the group meeting at MadridBabel), close to Gran Via/Chueca area): not too good, and owners were Chinese. Very “industrial” bento boxes were ordered… not too good. Surprising as Madrid is supposed to have the 2nd best fish market in the WORLD after … Japan!
Chinese restaurant from walking distance to home did reveal some interesting options, but the flavors was not quite there. Too mild, not flavorful enough but plenty of the traditional greasy dishes!
I have a Japanese friend who will hint me at places to eat GOOD Japanese (or maybe she’ll cooking for us if I cook for her and her husband!), as well as good places to find Asian ingredients.

Here’s my own version of Pad Thai, which was only missing lemongrass (if I recall well): things on the left are “presentation items”, you ignorant foodies! ) A shrimp, chili flakes and peanuts…