subject: Getting An Authentic Taste Of Spain [print this page] Too often when we go on holidays, we find ourselves in the same kinds of restaurants that we frequent at home. We continue to pick our known favourites off the menu, we select the wines that weve had before and we tend not to stray too far out of our comfort zones. What better way to yourself really feel like youre in Spain, than to really embrace the local culture and try getting a real taste of the tapas and other delicacies? This year take a step back from the all inclusive buffet and get out there living like a local.
The hardest part of finding hidden gems while youre on your holidays is getting the recommendations in the first place. Once upon a time, we could rely only on the four or five recommendations made in each chapter of the guide book we so religiously carry around with us. Today however, the world really is your oyster and all it takes is a little time online before you head off to Spain and you can dig up a number of websites with personal recommendations from those that have holidayed in Spain before. Spend a little time on Trip Advisor or simply do a quick Google search and youll soon have a list of tried and tested suggestions to choose from. If your holidays tend to be something more of a last minute merchant affair, then skip the research and simply be brave and bashful once you arrive in Spain. Locals are friendly so whether you ask your taxi driver, a shopkeeper or even somebody at the hotel youre staying in, they are bound to have a personal favourite that they would be only too happy to recommend.
If youre keen to try out a few lesser known haunts whilst in Spain, then one place not to miss is Restaurante Juanito. Located in the heart of Jaen, in Baeza Village this is a local favourite which was started over fifty years ago by Juanito and his wife Luisa. Together they have invested years exploring the best local produce in order to put together a fantastic menu. Choosing from such a wonderful list of dishes can be hard, so why not ask them to recommend something according to the season? You certainly wont be disappointed. In particular, be sure to sample the olive oil and game which are both sourced locally. A wonderful place to dine, Restaurante Juanito is well worth a visit. If your trip is taking you through Spains capital and you fancy a bit of fish, then La Dorada comes highly recommended by all who go there. It may be a large and busy restaurant but do not be put off as this is certainly a favourite with the folks in Madrid whether it is for a business lunch midweek or a family fiesta at the weekend. Reasonably priced and using fresh produce at all times, the food here really is some of the best youll sample on your Spanish holidays and the bream and sea bass in particular, are local favourites. Conveniently, La Dorada is open from eight in the evenings, allowing tourists to dine slightly earlier than the Spanish norm should they wish to.
