La Cocina Pop-Up

Here's just a few snaps from a very spontaneous night in La Cocina last night.  Brainchild of former colleagues, big foodies & friends of mine - Alfredo & Liam -  La Cocina did two nights in the bowling club in Grosvenor Sq this weekend. And boy did they and their team do a great job! 

Parmesan Bowling Balls & Curried Cauliflower Fritura 

With a Spanish focussed no-choice-4-course-plus-petit-fours menu, I took particular pleasure in the curried cauliflower fritura in the Aperitivos. My ingredient of the year 'Samphire' made a starring appearance alongside organic Clare Island salmon en papillote.  However, the highlight for the night was the slow cooked beef cheeks (carrilleras) which melted in the mouth with braised leeks on the side. More please! 

Carrilleras by candlelight

Liam talking us through the Carne

I am definitely not doing justice to all the extra little touches that made the food and the night so fantastic.  I will be keeping an eye on La Cocina's facebook page though in the hope it pop's up again!

Hazelnut pralines & pastry crisps

Designs by Fran Tyrell - http://www.frantyrrelldesigns.com/

Mercado de San Miguel

Last May we discovered the Mercade de San Miguel while on a two day gettaway to Madrid.  Although it does not match the sheer scale and size of the La Boqueria in Barcelona, the displays, atmosphere and colours were no less impressive.  The lumps of caramel being shaped into sweets, the fishmonger slicing and dicing with the bigget fish-knife ever, the oyster bar and the fruit sellers all make for a meal for the eyes.

Lunch that day however was just next door to the market in a tourist trap....but you can go wrong with a bagutte filled simply with a slice of Spanish omelette.

Merchandising at La Boqueria

Next time you are in Barcelona, this is where it's at! Every stall is food temptation.....fruit, smoothies, cheeses, cured meats! The works when it comes to Spanish food. Although I think we visited at the quieter end of the day (mid-afternoon), there was still much to admire. It's a 'must see'.