Dinner

Walking along "restaurant row" I saw so many dishes with fish and prawns, langostino, mussels, octopus on and on... I hadn't eaten a thing all day and now it was 9:45 PM. I found a little bar with a TV and people watching a soccer match between Spain & Uruguay. I actually starting think soccer wasn't a half bad sport, it certainly takes tremendous athletic skill.

Entonces, after 2 glasses of Tinto I walked a few doors down to a restaurant called La Marcelina. It was more of an upscale restaurant even though I was wearing shorts a t-shirt and flip flops they served me. Of course I ate alone. None of the people from school were around and I didn't know anyone else. The menu was extensive and none of it was in English. I knew I wanted a seafood paella, (see pictures of all the paella pans and the kitchen) but I wanted it with the mussels in the shells and the prawns and shrimp whole. I ordered Sopa De Ajo which is a garlic soup. I've been wanting to try that for a long time. It was one of the best things I have ever put in my mouth! I had it only once before in Puerto Rico but that was so long ago I don't remember. I have some recipes for this soup now I know I want to try this at home.

Next I had Pulpito which are baby octopus that are sauted in a wine sauce and served in a little tera cota dish straight from the oven. The garlic bread was toasted and it was actually rubbed with whole garlic. I enjoyed my appitizer and soup with a glass of the house wine called Murviedrt. I believe the name refers to a type of grape or a region where it is grown. Finally my paella came. It was simply called Paella Marcelina, the house specialty. It is prepared when you order it rather than plated from a larger paella that was prepared in advance. It contained, bacalao (cod), camaron (shrimp), and mejillon (mussels). It was fantastic! I had to order a portion for two because they don't make individual servings of this dish. So I had plenty to bring home for today.