August 25th, 2022

Spain, Wine Bar, Restaurant, Review, Ocean City, Maryland, Good Food, Will Travel, Congratulations!! One Year Anniversary

I have had over the years traveled to Spain. It has been some time, though. I love it for many reasons. My family has its origins in Spain, later coming to Puerto Rico. I am laughing as I am writing this post because I keep saying in my mind “The Rain in Spain stays Mainly in the Plains”. Don’t ask my why. Just silly.

Ocean City, Maryland, is not far from Rehoboth Beach. During the summer it can take you some time to get there. The traffic nowadays is unreal. But off we went to meet Bob, and Michael, who have been dying to introduce me to Spain Wine Bar & Restaurant located on the 8th floor of the Cambria Hotel, 13 St. Louis Ave. It is Bayfront and the restaurant has the whole top floor. Incredible views and gorgeous sunsets.

This is the first anniversary of its opening and it has been received so well. There is nothing like Spain in OC. I knew that I was going to have tapas and I think our group also wanted to eat that way. You get to taste plenty of small plates; some offerings you may like more than others. We had a great seat by the veranda.

Reservations are a must at Spain. Maybe later in the Second Season in our beaches you may be able to get a table without a reservation but I think you should make it.

Visit their website http://www.spainwinebar.com

That gorgeous looking drink you see above was Mar Azul (Blue Ocean)…Vodka, coconut rum, Blue Curacao, pineapple, lime and coconut cream. Super refreshing.

The first tasting was the Gazpacho. Yellow tomato, cucumber, onion and Sherry vinegar. I really love Gazpacho. It is prepared differently in many regions in Spain. Spain’s rendition with the yellow tomatoes was delicious and one of my favorite dishes of the evening.

The next dish is also a favorite of mine. In Spain the Boquerones are very popular. They are white fresh anchovies marinated in olive oil and vinegar. You don’t find them often here, except maybe just plain on top of a Caesar Salad. Of course I had to order them and introduce my fellow diners to them.

Another very typical dish eaten in tapas and often made at homes for guests, as well is the Tortilla Espanola (potatoes). I liked the one served at Spain. A little different to the ones I have had before but nevertheless very good.

We all were tasting the dishes ordered and having a great time along the way.

The croquettes came in made with Jamon Serrano, a creamy bechamel sauce, garlic aioli and pimenton. The combination of all those ingredients was perfect. A little salty, the sauce, the everything.

You have to agree that the Charcuterie ordered was just awesome. The Jamon Serrano was from Sierra, dry-cured….black Iberian pig.

Mixed Marinated Olives served warm.

I order Pulpo or Octopus every time I see it on a menu. The pulpo served at Spain was not a favorite. I think it lacked flavor, and was a little tough. Served with too many potatoes.

Loved the Roasted Heirloom Carrots. Idiazabal Cheese, red pepper aioli and crumbled marcona almonds. Worth trying, for sure.

The 18 Hour Pork Belly was so tasty and full of flavor. Cranberries, sherry reduction and pickled finger chilies. Another awesome tapa.

The Scallop Risotto is a signature dish. I was so interested in the other dishes that only had a little taste. I thought the risotto was a little dry. My opinion.

Have you ever heard that if you are eating at a good restaurant and you see hamburger on the menu, you should order it? I have plenty of times. Bob is a Burger Connoisseur and a Mustard Lover. So here is his Burger which he loved. I guess we did not have enough to eat. Mind you, that was all to himself.

The Olive Oil Cake was our dessert, served with vanilla ice cream. Olive oils are also used for desserts. Imagine that? It has become more popular in recent months. It is moist and so delicious. Next time you see it, please give it try.

As you can see we tried a little bit here or there but there is so much more to try still. I saw the Paella coming out. It looked great. It takes a bit of time to cook but there is also plenty to drink.

Until next time remember that AboutMyBeaches has a FaceBook page and is on Instagram, as well.

Good Food, Will Travel. Don’t let a bit of distance hold you back.

January 31st, 2014

Puerto Rico, La Isla del Encanto, La Ruta Del Comelon, Comida Criolla y Del Pais, The Puertorican Yum, Buen Provecho!!

My last post showed a cold winter day in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware…..Leaving the Delaware Beaches to a warmer climate in the Island of Puerto Rico,where the temperatures are in the 80”s with low humidity, found me tasting the Comida Criolla; the best!

The Ruta del Comelon….that’s us, following the path of those that love food.  If you like Puertorican food, then, this post is for you.

Meeting with family and friends….first stop is always a must at the Metropol Restaurant right after getting off the plane.

This restaurant is one of those iconic Puerto Rican eateries where you can get a good taste of the local flavor at the best price.

A little spread was placed on the table.

Loved the octopus salad or ensalada de pulpo the best.  It melted in your mouth. Yum!

Breakfast on Friday morning was not the usual bacon and eggs.  I am once again staying at Hacienda Pellerano…a private enclave.

Frying some granitos indigenous from the town of La Ciudad Gris or Humacao hit the spot, along with bite size morsels of papaya.

Accompanying the above was one of my favorites….morcillas or blood sausages….I know, I know, they don’t look so appetizing but believe me when I tell you that they are amazingly good.

La Ruta del Comelon took us to the town of Naguabo on the eastern side of the island.

The restaurant of choice was El Makito.  We started with the pastelillos de chapin.  Chapin is a fish and these turnovers are sought after by anyone visiting the east side of Puerto Rico.

The beer was so cold and was the perfect side dish for our next dishes.

The Mofongo is made out of plantains.  Stuffing it is the new craze.  So, 3 of them were ordered, stuffed with Salmorejo de Jueves (local crab criollo), Chapin (the little fish), and Conch….shrimp were ordered, as well.

The Caribbean lobster or langosta was served to our fellow diners…I don’t want to be thought of as a food stalker but I guess I was….they let me take the photo.  You can see that the side dish of mofongo traditionally prepared is on the right, but then the stuffed one was also served.

And how big were the lobsters at El Makito?  You be the judge.

Dessert!!  We were looking for casquitos de guayaba, which is a fruit that you do not find it as easily in the island as before, served with cheese.  And the other is a dulce de lechoza, which is papaya.  Homemade and awesome!!

Hours later, at Hacienda Pellerano, a little “picadera” or “tasting” of pasteles, also made with plantains just like the mofongo.  Filled with chickpeas, raisins…it reminded me that we need to really walk on Saturday if we are to continue on La Ruta del Comelon when we will take off for Guavate or La Ruta del Lechon (Pig).

Buen Provecho!!