Basarri, Madrid

I'm sorry, I've been away, actually I'm not sorry at all - I've been having a blast! First of all was a trip to Bulgaria, Bansko to be exact, for a week of skiing. The less said about the food at this ski resort the better - there might be some good ski slopes there but there's a lot of development needed in the cuisine department.

I returned home for a few days and then it was off to Madrid for a birthday weekend away, thanks Big Sis.

This lunch came after a long evening of red wine and Jagerbombs with a 19-strong stag party that us three ladies somehow became honorary members for the night.

Fake moustaches, cravats and oversized glasses removed, we started the morning, as all hangovers should start, with a morning at El Rastro - a flea market which featured in all the guides and promised to be a colourful display of stalls selling their wares. It was more like a throw back to 1998, stalls selling things that my Dad would describe as 'toot.' We ticked it off the itinerary list but would recommend not to put it on your list, should you visit.

Slowly fighting our way out of 1998 we headed to the main square - on the search for a filling lunch that would satisfy our rumbles as well as put off the hangover for a while.

We found Basarri, a Mediterranean restaurant who had an offer on for three courses and a drink for just €15. The best way to get over the drinking indulgence, have another.

The sangria, served in this gorgeous goblet glass, was refreshing, ice-cold and had the perfect combination of fruit and wine.
Now between the three of us, we deciphered most of the menu - soup or salad to start, paella or meat for mains and chocolate or some kind of creme brulee for dessert. Easy, non?

The mixed salad was divine - fresh leaves, olives, white asparagus, onion and tomato with chunks of tuna and a balsamic glaze. It was light, full of flavour and the presentation was beautiful.
Two of us had the salad, the other had the crema de verduras - vegetable soup.

For mains we each went for a different option from the menu. We knew what the paella had in store but it was a guessing game to what the cocido (completo) and cinta de lomo were. I had the cocido which I can only try to identify what the ingredients were - there were soft floury potatoes, rich black pudding, hunks of tender chorizo, chicken, chickpeas, carrots, huge squares of fat, lamb and possibly some beef on there too, all swimming in a pale liquid. It was a bizarre dish - a bit like it should have been blended and in a broth.

The paella was the best option (well, when in Rome) with huge succulent prawns and an assortment of shellfish. It was just as it should be.

The Cinta de Lomo was simply fried pork and chips. It was a little too salty but isn't that what everyone craves when they are suffering from a hangover? It was a bit like bacon and chips but blown up.
Dessert was either a simple chocolate torte which my fellow diners opted for. A layered cake with sponge, vanilla and chocolate mousse and topped with a rich chocolate.

The torte was much better than my Crema Catalana which was a watery creme brulee with an over powering cinnamon taste.

The meal certainly was good value for the price we paid, it's wasn't haute cuisine but it did the job of filling us up. And the best part was sitting in the glorious sunshine and watching the world go by...
Buen provecho!