When I asked mum where she wanted to go, her pick was Marta's Kitchen. "No Japanese. That one we went to the other time was terrible" hah..hah..hah... That was my late dad's sentiment too - Japanese food is awful. Well.
So to Marta's Kitchen it was.
Where we (coffee addicts) had a Flat White each with double shot wahahaha!!! In fact my brother had another one at the end of our meal.
These were our orders for our grand meal.
Champinones con Jamon Iberico - pan fried mushrooms seasoned with garlic and Iberico ham.
Patatas Bravas - deep fried potatoes with creamy aioli and signature spicy tomato sauce. I was very disciplined and had just one.
Calamares a la Romana - deep fried squid with homemade aioli.
Gambas al Ajilo - Spanish chili and garlic prawns pan fried with extra virgin olive foil. This is our firm favorite.
Served with bread to soak up the flavorful olive oil. In fact we had a second serving hee..hee.... Again, such great self restraint - I had only one piece.
And then, my favorite - Juicy Iberico Pork Ribs. Full rack!
This is the second half.
The homemade BBQ sauce was very nice but I dipped sparingly because it was very sweet.
That's not all.
Paella Valencia. Our last dish. I had a little bit right at the end and I thought it was very good.
You may say that we ordered the same old thing but these are what we enjoy. We did try to be adventurous on our previous visit but did not like the new items.
As usual, we polished up everything! That was such a feast!
Not these either.
These (to me) are ridiculous. You step on it and it vibrates. And they call that exercise.
You made me laugh when you mentioned that your mother said, "No Japanese!" LOL! I absolutely love pork ribs!!! And it's no problem ordering the same thing! If it is something you love and enjoy, why not? Better than ordering something you aren't sure whether you will like it or not.
ReplyDeleteThis evening I ordered (to be brought to me) from a restaurant very close to where I live and filet of grilled salmon, not too well done, (I like it soft and pink, not hard and dry) with vegetables and rice! Fabulous! I thoroughly enjoyed it!
As far as ribs go, I usually love them the way they are without any sauce. Spareribs, though, they always put into a dry garlic sauce and this is fine. So I understand that you found the barbecue sauce for dipping with your ribs to be too sweet.
The bread you had in the basket is crusty bread! I love crusty bread! Not the baguette, though, I find it thin and tough, but crusty bread is moister and delicious!
I have never tried squid or octopus, the tentacles make me feel squeamish just looking at it! LOL!
The mushrooms look delicious!
Thank you so much for sharing, dear friend!
Both my parents do not appreciate Japanese food. LOL! Oh, your order of fillet of grilled salmon sound delicious! Yes, me too, I prefer it just pink and tender. If overcooked I find it hard to eat, not nice at all.
DeleteAs for ribs, anytime for me! I can eat half rack all by myself LOL! Crusty bread is really nice dipped in sauce or infused olive oil. Bread is my weakness!
As far as the quote goes, yes, yes, and yes! I agree wholeheartedly!
ReplyDeleteWe need to be reminded!
DeleteGood morning! Lol! Same here, my elderly parents do not know how to appreciate Japanese food and they frowned at it. My mom finds salmon too fishy for me, she calls Salmon "Japanese fish". Yes, even though the same old favourite dishes were being ordered, but your family did try different venues and restaurants each time so still there is a variety, that is what I do too, eat the same one favourites at each venue/stall/cafe/restaurant but try different one each time. We are so smart. I love all the dishes you and your family ordered at Marta's, they looked and sounded good!
ReplyDeleteGood morning! We only love those few dishes and anywhere we go, we tend to order our same old favorites. I want to eat Japanese for my birthday, so I guess I will have to go solo. LOL!
DeleteGood morning! Oh yes your birthday coming soon, I rmb your birthday to bring September and you are a Virgo right?
Delete*too fishy for her
ReplyDeleteI am happy that you, your brother and your mom enjoyed this pre birthday meal of hers. Treasure the moment and memory, there are people who do not have this privilege.
ReplyDeleteYes, thank you for the reminder!
DeleteDear PH, on this cloudy and rainy mid afternoon, I will like to share a short extract from the book "The Cat Who Taught Zen" by James Norbury, since I know you know to appreciate and I am sure you know what the extract is trying to tell you, here it goes, "Spend time in silence, appreciate nature, be mindful and seek peace. Nature has no words but it is trying to tell you something. Spend time with those who bring out the best in you. But what if we have no one? Wherever we go, we are our own companion, and that is why we must try to be a good friend to ourselves and treat ourselves with gentleness. After all, we are the one we spend the most time with, and we have a habit of taking our own opinions very seriously. Kindness and gratitude are two qualities I found difficult to learn, but they can help us in so many ways. They cost nothing but their value cannot be overstated."
ReplyDeleteGosh short extract becomes long extract, lol! Cos everything in the book is so good and instructive, I do not know which part to omit. And when I finish reading it, either I will keep (for future reference), gift to a friend or donate to/recycle it in, our Public Library Book Exchange corner, so that other like minded book lovers can enjoy them too.
That quote is spot on! We must find peace, strength, happiness etc in our own self, it is all there! It is a good idea to share the book(s) once you have read it and learnt to your satisfaction to benefit others.
Delete*since I know you know how to appreciate
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snSm-N2gK00&list=RDsnSm-N2gK00&start_radio=1
ReplyDeleteSong dedication from me to you - The Last Waltz by Engelbert Humperdinck, with the "bom cha cha" rhythm. Hee Hee, enjoy!
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you! I am familiar with that song.
DeleteHappy belated birthday to your mom! 🎉🥳
ReplyDeleteI will go for the prawns 1st 😋
Thank you!
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ReplyDeleteFor jogging or walking workout, I prefer to do it outdoor. Running on treadmill is too boring for me. >_<
ReplyDeleteI think so, outside in nature is the best!
DeleteI see you had all the familiar dishes at your favourite Spanish restaurant. Ah, you've still not made your way to Mercat to try their paella which I prefer over the one here (my friends too)...but that's according to our tastebuds lah! ^_~
ReplyDeleteI am sure I will eventually make it to Mercat! For now we stick to familiar places where we know we can get easy parking and access due to mum's mobility issues.
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