#foodblog – Page 2 – Bri Right Back

Madrid: Exploring Spain’s Capital

November 19, 2019November 19, 2019 Brirightback

One of the best ways to explore a new city is to experience it with a local, so I was lucky to become friends with one while in Galway. Not only did she graciously offer me a place to stay, but she also showed me her favorite spots in Madrid. We got around mostly by metro, which was easy to navigate and tourist-friendly as it offered passes for one to seven day stays.

Madrid has a few rooftop bars that allow you to see and photograph gorgeous panoramic views of the whole city. The one we visited was the Círculo de Bellas Artes. There’s lots of seating there so it’s a nice spot to spend a little time taking in your surroundings and enjoying a drink. Bear in mind that there’s a ton of direct sunlight and not much shade on the rooftop so pack some sunscreen.

Another cool rooftop bar we went to was called The Hat, a hostel bar that served food and drinks. The drinks were pricey but novel, being served in plastic bags. Definitely not an eco-friendly choice, but they were lovely and paired perfectly with the scorching Madrid summer.

We spent some time relaxing in Retiro Park, a nice place to wander and get a break from the city’s crowds. It’s a great place to read, go for a boat ride, or have a picnic. Be sure to check out the Crystal Palace, a building made almost entirely of glass and situated next to a lake.

The Royal Palace is a must-see when you visit Madrid. The palace and grounds are impressive and you can spend a lot of time exploring the area.

Royal Palace and me, completely unaware of what to do with my limbs

During my time in Madrid, I ate a lot of tacos and burritos. When you visit, Takos al Pastor are a requirement. Don’t be discouraged by the queues that stretch down the street. They move fast and once you get up front to order, your food arrives almost instantly. The tacos are by far the best I’ve had, available with chicken, al pastor (grilled pork), potatoes, chorizo, and more. Pro tip: Go early to try the al pastor tacos- they seemed to sell out the quickest so I unfortunately wasn’t able to try them. Overall, I can’t think of a better late-night meal.

Another awesome place I tried was Tierra Burrito Bar. With three locations throughout Madrid, it’s super convenient to grab a bite there. I’m always on the lookout for the best burrito and the ones they make here were definitely contenders.

One last thing you should try in Madrid: the Tinto de Verano. This drink, comprised of red wine and citrus soda, is a refreshing and delicious summer beverage. If you’re a fan of sangria, you will love it!

That’s all for Madrid. My next stop will be Portugal!

How’d they know what my sleep paralysis demon looked like?

Valencia, Spain: A Good Place for a Siesta

October 15, 2019December 14, 2021 Brirightback

Valencia, Spain! When I touched down in Spain, it may have only been May but it jump-started my summer. As usual, I got super lost looking for my hostel Home Youth Hostel Valencia. Once I got there, I was excited to see it was super clean and cozy and the staff was ready to tell me everything about this beautiful city. I’m not sure if it was the late hour or the dehydration, but my eyes began to glaze over as I remembered my friend’s highest recommendation: the agua de Valencia. To my luck, there was a great restaurant right outside the hostel called Escalones de la Lonja. The first meal I ordered there was a chorizo, egg, potato, and pepper dish with agua de Valencia, basically a boozier mimosa. Another night, I tried the potatas bravas. Everything I ate there was delicious and the location could not have been any better based on where I stayed.

Valencia’s Central Market was just steps away from my hostel. One could easily spend a few hours exploring all the stalls there. I went every morning while in Valencia. The market was packed with options but the fresh fruit juices were my favorite things to buy there. Outside one of the entrances, they sell churros and horchata, a non-dairy rice milk beverage. The horchata was interesting to try, but as someone who doesn’t really drink milk, it felt a little heavy. The churros were delicious but next time I would definitely order some chocolate to dip them in.

Another food I tried in Valencia were empanadas at a place called Dempanadas. The food was awesome and inexpensive and service was fantastic. I had a bacon and cheese and a spinach and cheese empanada.

Aside from eating your weight in tapas and empanadas, there’s plenty to do and see in Valencia. I went on a historical tour to see some of the sights. You can’t miss the Valencia Cathedral. I’d read online that it was really cheap to climb the bell tower there rather than visit the rest of the church. If you’re religious, this cathedral is home to what many believe to be the Holy Grail. The journey to the top of Miguelete Bell Tower consists of a 207-step spiral staircase that leads you to a viewing platform. Once at the top, you can see panoramic views of the city. If you startle easily, like I found out I do, be aware that the bells will be deafening from up there. It quickly dashed any fantasies of me becoming the next Quasimodo. Another warning is that this trek counts as leg day and you may feel like you need some new legs the next morning. I vowed to not even look at a staircase for several weeks.

My top recommendation for this city is to seek out as much street art as you can find. Valencians are very proud of their street art and some of it is even commissioned to be on buildings by the owners. Take a street art tour so you can hear about the artists that beautify Valencia’s neighborhoods.

Street art is everywhere in Valencia. Just take a look around when you’re exploring and you’re bound to find something cool.

If you’re planning a trip to Spain, you should definitely consider spending a few days in Valencia. The art, food, and general laid-back vibe make it worth a visit. My one big regret is not being able to try the Valencian paella (heads-up, the authentic restaurants only sell it to parties of two or more). I was too shy to seek out a paella buddy at this point in my adventure. My next destination will be Spain’s capital, Madrid!

Me after drinking my daily Agua de Valencia

Where to Eat in the UK and Republic of Ireland

July 2, 2019July 2, 2019 Brirightback

During my time in the UK and Republic of Ireland, I was lucky enough to eat some really delicious food. As this is my first food blog post, I feel it is probably necessary to apologize upfront for my sometimes limited palate. You won’t find any seafood in these posts but you will find a lot of Tex-Mex (yes, even in Ireland). I consider it a personal mission to find good tacos and burritos wherever I roam and they are always a go-to if I start getting hangry. So, with those small caveats, here are some of my favorite things I ate during the first part of my journey.

Dublin

I was in Dublin for the smallest amount of time but I set out to find some good shepherd’s pie. I headed to the Old Storehouse in Temple Bar and enjoyed it with a cider. It was good but I think I could have found better outside of the Temple Bar touristy area. Strapped for time though, it met my needs and the great service and live music provided at the venue made it worth a visit.

Another place I would recommend in Dublin is Queen of Tarts. The cute bakery is tucked away on a quieter street and was highly recommended online. I grabbed an apple crumble tart that was delicious but not cloyingly sweet. I’d recommend a visit there.

Belfast

My friend Joe recommended a visit to Pizza Punks Belfast and it did not disappoint. They make personal pizzas and you can customize what toppings you want. Since I had not had a Guinness yet, I went with a Guinness brisket and macaroni and cheese pizza. I was very happy with my choice and it lasted for two meals which is always a huge plus, especially whilst traveling. They also had a good selection of ciders there.

When I went on the Game of Thrones Tour, we stopped for lunch at the Fullerton Arms. I got an Irish chicken Caesar salad. I was sold on this choice solely because it had bacon. Everyone on the tour was pretty hungry and the service was so fast. I didn’t get a picture of my salad because I devoured it so fast. Aside from the food, this place is awesome for GoT fans. They have a door that is carved from a fallen Dark Hedges tree and their own throne set up so that you can take photos there.

Another place I tried in Belfast is Bao Bun, a Taiwanese street food restaurant. You can choose your base, protein, and sauce to make your meal. I chose the rice, chicken, and house combo sauce. It was full of flavor, but if I tried it again I would try the bao (steamed bun) as the base. For a quick and reasonably priced meal in Belfast, this place has you covered.

Galway

I was starving when I arrived in Galway and searched up and down the street my hostel was on for something that sounded good to eat. Luckily, I stumbled upon Vocho, a Mexican restaurant. The first menu item I ordered from there was a huge chorizo quesadilla that was filling and lasted two meals (budget-friendly yay). This place was so good I went back for tacos too. In three days, I ate Vocho as many times, so I’m definitely a big fan. It’s a fast and delicious option in Galway.

The other place I dined at in Galway was the Lighthouse Cafe. I met a friend for dinner here at this vegan and vegetarian spot. I ordered a salad with falafel and pomegranate arils. This will begin a pattern of me eating lots and lots of falafel so I apologize in advance for the lack of variety in the coming posts. This meal was as tasty as it was pretty.

Glasgow, Scotland

Firewater is a bar/restaurant across from the music venue I went to my last night in Glasgow. It was pouring out and in my typical fashion, I had left my umbrella at the hostel. I ran in and ordered some chicken tenders and fries not expecting much but some sustenance. I was surprised to find they had a nice kick to them and a great sauce- I’d definitely go back again.

Oxford, U.K.

It had been years since I had been back to Oxford and I had been dreaming of the Indian food there ever since I’d been away. Cinnamon’s was the first place I’d tried there and the food held up. Their chicken tikka misala tasted exactly like I remembered. I also tried another place this visit called Yeti, a nepalese place which was even better. The peshwari naan was insanely good.

A trip to Mission Burrito is always high on my list in Oxford. This time, they were serving a special barbeque pulled chicken so I decided to try that on my burrito. It was really good and in a good location if you’re spending a day in town.

Last but certainly not least, I finally had the opportunity to try Ben’s Cookies. They have a location within the Oxford Covered Market. I tried the Triple Chocolate Chunk and the Peanut Butter. They were both fantastic but I preferred the chocolate one because the peanut butter one had a ton of peanuts in it. That’s just a matter of preference though. I had been expecting a smoother cookie but the taste is still amazing.

That’s it for the UK and Rebublic of Ireland! Thanks for reading and keep an eye out for my next stop: Belgium!