amp
17th April 2006, 08:57 AM
Ben, Marina and Others Lucky Enough to be Living in Spain at this Time,
When I lived in Valencia (4 years ago) it was quite hard to find authentic food of other nationalities. I recall spending quite a bit of time searching out restaurants and bars that we hoped/had heard might have fabulous Italian/Chinese/Japanese/Middle Eastern/etc food. Given that Valencia was (is) somewhat provincial and at the time was not yet really enjoying the benefits migration can bring in this regard, I think we were probably a bit over-optimistic. Consequently were generally disappointed, and indeed, frustrated by the results of our searches. When we left in early 2002, we had found one reasonable Indian, one reasonable Japanese and one reasonable Chinese place that did dim sum at highly inflated prices. There were two places (owned by the same people) doing Lebanese food, but strangely no Moroccan (though there is a great Moroccan place in Alicante). And really, all these places were ok, but nothing fantastic. There was a group, however, that had opened three Italian places that I highly recommend (Papadelle, al Pomodoro and Miramao for those of you playing at home). But this was it. No Turkish, no Egyptian, no French, no Thai, no Vietnamese, not even so many Sth American places.
When I was there in Dec/Jan, I noticed that 'Kebap' (=kebab) places had sprung up on virtually every corner, but they tasted terrible! They make them from a sort of reconstituted meat roll, rather than the real thing. A Valencian friend suggested an amusing conspiracy theory about these. He said that as Turkey wants to join the EU the Spanish government is allowing these 'kebap' places to accustomise the Spanish to their ways. He says that once the Spanish are hooked on the food, then they will welcome Turkey to the EU ("their food is good, so they must be good too" type thing). Anyway, that was the only change I had noticed so far as foreign food is concerned.
I wondered about the situation in Madrid and other places. Four years ago, I know, there was greater choice in Madrid, though I never really spent enough time there to get a proper feel. (I did find the Thai place run by Thai Australians that have to import some of the ingredients they use from Australia). I didn't have time to go to Madrid in Dec/Jan though. What's the deal now? Can you find authentic tasting foods from around the world in Madrid or other parts of Spain? Or must you be content only with the great Spanish food available?
When I lived in Valencia (4 years ago) it was quite hard to find authentic food of other nationalities. I recall spending quite a bit of time searching out restaurants and bars that we hoped/had heard might have fabulous Italian/Chinese/Japanese/Middle Eastern/etc food. Given that Valencia was (is) somewhat provincial and at the time was not yet really enjoying the benefits migration can bring in this regard, I think we were probably a bit over-optimistic. Consequently were generally disappointed, and indeed, frustrated by the results of our searches. When we left in early 2002, we had found one reasonable Indian, one reasonable Japanese and one reasonable Chinese place that did dim sum at highly inflated prices. There were two places (owned by the same people) doing Lebanese food, but strangely no Moroccan (though there is a great Moroccan place in Alicante). And really, all these places were ok, but nothing fantastic. There was a group, however, that had opened three Italian places that I highly recommend (Papadelle, al Pomodoro and Miramao for those of you playing at home). But this was it. No Turkish, no Egyptian, no French, no Thai, no Vietnamese, not even so many Sth American places.
When I was there in Dec/Jan, I noticed that 'Kebap' (=kebab) places had sprung up on virtually every corner, but they tasted terrible! They make them from a sort of reconstituted meat roll, rather than the real thing. A Valencian friend suggested an amusing conspiracy theory about these. He said that as Turkey wants to join the EU the Spanish government is allowing these 'kebap' places to accustomise the Spanish to their ways. He says that once the Spanish are hooked on the food, then they will welcome Turkey to the EU ("their food is good, so they must be good too" type thing). Anyway, that was the only change I had noticed so far as foreign food is concerned.
I wondered about the situation in Madrid and other places. Four years ago, I know, there was greater choice in Madrid, though I never really spent enough time there to get a proper feel. (I did find the Thai place run by Thai Australians that have to import some of the ingredients they use from Australia). I didn't have time to go to Madrid in Dec/Jan though. What's the deal now? Can you find authentic tasting foods from around the world in Madrid or other parts of Spain? Or must you be content only with the great Spanish food available?