Capuccino San Miguel: the real coffee palace! Visiting the Scrabble Club Scrabbalear!

After eating at Celler Sa Premsa, Pochola and Xisco led us to Capuccino San Miguel. We went walking (no more than 10 minutes).

The curious part was that we were walking slowly, I was taking pics and videos of the places I liked and when I saw this place I liked so much and filmed the entrance, they were a little ahead of me. I caught them thinking it was a real pity not to go there. They were looking for an address and… yes! It was this! :D

The cafe is in an eighteenth century palace. The building is beautiful and has managed to decorate it with such good taste that only to see it, it´s worth entering. When you arrive in the middle of the main room you get a tray of samples of their cakes. Marble tables in the main hall, some stairs that take you to a small section with a few more tables

We sat right in the space under the stairs and the menu, for a coffee and tea fan like me, was like opening a book of poetry. From evocative names to classics as the expresso, all sounded so good for me. A pity that we had ate a lot in Celler Sa Premsa! The menu of sandwiches and cakes was also so tempting. We must go again! ;P

The music, chill out, was the apotheosis of the moment. Yes, as I explained on other occasions, when I'm in a place whose beauty I get through all the senses, often I feel that instead of walking I´m levitating. This time I was sitting but levitating as well!

Here Cris joined us, she´s also part of the Scrabble Club Scrabbalear. I didn´t know her yet but during that weekend we became friends.

We were there for a while enjoying the place and our beverages. I went to the toilette and… the icing on the cake! In the corridor just before entering the bathroom they had a sample of their music in CDs! They also sell them! No, I did not buy any, but the temptation is big and they also have them for sale on its website. :D

I also discovered it also has a courtyard with a fountain in the middle which should be great for spring time. It's totally different atmosphere.

Here the video:



I definitely will go back there! And I will go to the one that they will open during this spring! This will be located in the Paseo del Borne, which will be decorated by Michael Smith, who was commissioned to redecorate the White House for Obama (yes, yes, I mean the Obama that occupies the White House!)

A pity not to have one of those in Madrid!

(To be continued.)

Almenara de Catalucia: the Icing on the Cake! Saint Valentine´s 2010 Special Weekend: Final Part.

The restaurant we reserved for lunch time on Sunday 14th. Was Almenara de Catalucia.

Once there Ana María greeted me as if she'd known me a lifetime, that wondered me due we had seen each other just in our first visit there on November. She explained me they had seen my post at my blog and Willy was willing to talk to me. Nice! Hehehe.

We were there a bit early, so we took a snack at the bar. Willy came very excited about the post. I told him I just had been honest. (This is the way it is).

The restaurant was full. We taste new things: octopus, grilled vegetables, rice with mushrooms and shrimp… Mother of God! A delight! As dessert: chocolate cake and a crepe.

I should confess that week, as far as I had car and time, had gone several times to Almenara. This meal is a vice! I insist, after all is good not to have this restaurant close to home! Otherwise I´ll endorse my salary to Willy! ;P

Here some pics:



On Wednesdays Willy has “cocido madrileño”… O H M Y G O D!! I could bet there´s no better one. Curro had tested cocido madrileño of “la Daniela”, that is famous as the best cocido madrileño in Madrid and he told me the savor is very alike, but you can note Almenara´s one has better quality ingredients. Otoh: at La Daniela it costs 21,755 euros, in Almenara 10 euros and we think Almenara´s one is bigger, but in La Daniela they give you more for free if you want.

So! I am about to proclaim myself the No. 1 fan of Almenara! Actually once, eating a risotto, crossed my mind that God exists! And he should be training Willy as his official chef! I only hope that he won´t call him for sooo long for the job! ;P

An especial mention to Ana María and Stefan, the waitress, which even having the restaurant full, always have a smile for you.



Yeap! It was a great weekend! :D

T. G. I. Fridays. Saint Valentine´s 2010 Special Weekend: First Part.

This year we decided to have a big Saint Valentine´s celebration! Actually the point was the good chance of having that day on a weekend and also that we were needing a good relax, so, actually the whole weekend was priceless! :D

We started it with Sil (my daughter), on Friday morning (I haven´t to work and her University classes started after midday). She would stay at home that weekend (the poor girl! She would have the house for a weekend, for her own and the friends she would like to invite! Yes! She should be suffering a lot with the idea! Hehehehe) ;P Eh! She´s a very, very responsible 22 y/o lady! And I mean it! My family would be quite glad if I would be a 10% responsible at her age of what she is!

You see, we were celebrating her birthday and also Saint Valentine, the point is in Guatemala this date is not just for couples, actually there it´s the friendship and love day. I have great memories of my school days, at Saint Valentine everybody exchanging gifts, souvenirs, cards, candies… :D There it´s a nice festivity for everybody and not just for lovers!

So, we started with Sil since the morning, having breakfast at [h]arina. After that we went to the airport, my brother in law, Edu, his wife, Marta and my nephew, Mateo, were going to Tenerife and left me their car to take care of it ;P It was the first flight for Mateo!




After the airport, we went to lunch at T. G. I. Fridays (“Fridays” for its friends) ;P No, it wasn´t about being hungry after that breakfast! Well, actually we didn´t ate that much there knowing we´ll have lunch at Fridays.

I should confess I love good USA food restaurants (sorry, I won´t ever say “American food”. You see, for Latin American people, if you say “America”, you are talking about the whole continent, not just about USA. I know, even they say “America” instead USA and they say they are “Americans”. You see, for me Americans are all the people living in America, the continent, as Europeans are all the ones living in Europe. So sorry, but I won´t accept to use American for just USA things by my own). After this pseudo break of demands, I continue with my story :D So, I like a lot the good USA food restaurants! Note! I said “good” ones! ;P

At Fridays I always have problems choosing my food, because I like a lot of things. Btw: I had read a comment about this place, somebody complaining about how many chicken dishes they have at Fridays and saying something like “If I would like to eat chicken I would stay at home”… you see… I can bet that grilling meat and cooking eggs with potatoes is something quite common in Spanish houses, and anyway a lot of Spanish people ask for them at restaurants. Actually it´s something really different what you eat at a restaurant than what you eat at home (or at least this is like that for me, I should be in a real hurry to go to eat to a place where I find worst food of what I have at home and I should say that Curro and I cook pretty well). So, as I said, the chick at Fridays is very nice! (And I´m not talking about a waiter! Hehehe oh well… let me think…) ;P

Here the menu for you to have an idea of what you find there:









They also have special menus during week day’s midday, including a first course, a main course, dessert and beverage. Also, as in all the Grupo Vip´s restaurants, you could be part of the club, which gives you a card that gives you special discounts and promotions, like 40% of on dinners from Monday to Thursday, or tickets with a discount for another restaurant.

I also like a lot the atmosphere of the place, it´s normal in USA food restaurants to find very friendly restaurant staff. They´re also famous due making you to dance or at least to stand on a chair when they know you are celebrating there your birthday… like in mine in 2006:



I also like the decoration. At least of the one that is at “La Esquina del Bernabeu”, this one has great views of the cross of the streets Concha Espina and Padre Damian, here you can have a better idea of how it looks:



One of the things with more fans here are the desserts. For me the best of their desserts is… that you can take them home! (I usually have no space for desserts eating here!).

After Fridays, I left Sil at the subway station and went to pick up Curro to start our special weekend.

(To be continued).

Tre Fratelli: a delicous, well looking and good at any time of the day Italian! ;P

Tre Fratelli

This is an Italian restaurant that just lately had incorporated the breakfasts at their services… a quite successful idea! :) The result is some kind of the “Italian” version of Guatemalan breakfasts! ;P (because I know for sure what they offer are things you can´t find in Italy for breakfast!) but anyway, great options! I´m afraid I haven´t took pictures of the menu or the breakfasts and it´s a pity… I haven´t found in internet as well, not even at their web… but believe me, worth to try them! They also offer the buffet option on Sundays.

Here a video of Tre Fratelli catering… yeaph, I know, it just contain few seconds of one of their breakfasts :/ but maybe would be also nice to have an idea about the food they can offer:



I have already talk about this at the post "Breakfast in Guatemala: where to eat" but someone advised me it will be more useful to place them in different posts, so here is it, it contains exactly the same of that post, in case of new comments about this place, I´ll write a new post.

Los Cebollines: my Favorite Mexican! ;P

Los Cebollines

This is a Mexican restaurant with Mexican breakfast specialties that are just great! I also love from this chain the decoration of the restaurants. They also offer the buffet option daily.

Here an example of what you can get for breakfast there:



And some pictures to have an idea of the place:



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I should tell that the lasts times I went in other hours, the food wasn´t as good as it use to... just I can´t tell if this is due I´d improved my preferences ;P or if it was a lower quality thing.

I have already talk about this at the post "Breakfast in Guatemala: where to eat" but someone advised me it will be more useful to place them in different posts, so here is it, it contains exactly the same of that post, in case of new comments about this place, I´ll write a new post.

San Martin Bakery: more than just bread!

Panadería San Martín

Yeaph, this is a bakery… but they also have a cafeteria with excellent breakfasts! :) What I appreciate more about this place is that they have done an effort for offering different options for breakfast using eggs, with a great result. One good example of this is the Salvadoran breakfast that includes pupusas (delicious!) ;D or the “hidden eggs” one, that is a big bread that has inside the eggs with sauce.



Panadería San Martín is definitely a great option for trying new breakfast experiences! :)

I had already told this at the post "Breakfast in Guatemala: where to eat" but someone advised me it will be more useful to place them in different posts, so here is it, it contains exactly the same of that post, in case of new comments about this place, I´ll write a new post.

Hotel Porta Antigua

Hotel Porta Antigua

This hotel is definitely part of the history of Antigua Guatemala. Just from few years ago is part of the Porta hotels and before that was managed by a nice Guatemalan family. Part of the staff had been working at the hotel for more than 20 years, those are people that just love what they do and you really can note it.

This is my favorite one if we talk about having brunch in the whole Guatemala.

Here some of my pics:



I have already talk about this at the post Breakfast in Antigua Guatemala: Where to Go but someone advised me it will be more useful to place them in different posts, so here is it, it contains exactly the same of that post, in case of new comments about this place, I´ll write a new post.

La Fonda de la Calle Real

La Fonda de la Calle Real Antigua


This is a real classic. Opened in 1975 and specialized in Guatemalan typical food, it´s considered as one of the best Guatemalan typical food restaurants. Decorated as if it would be founded some centuries ago (with and old kitchen and rustic chairs), also owns part of its charm to the walls that are “decorated” with quite a lot of proverbs written there.

Here some pics of the place:



It´s a place you have to go at least once, of course also has great breakfasts, but maybe I would recommend, in case you have to choose, to go there for a formal meal instead.

I have already talk about this at the post Breakfast in Antigua Guatemala: Where to Go but someone advised me it will be more useful to place them in different posts, so here is it, it contains exactly the same of that post, in case of new comments about this place, I´ll write a new post.

Hotel Soleil Antigua

Hotel Soleil Antigua

For me was the Ramada Hotel, as far as it was part of that hotels chain, but some years ago it changed into Soleil.

It´s like a classic in Antigua but I haven´t found videos of it, I´m afraid.

Here some pics:







I have already talk about this at the post Breakfast in Antigua Guatemala: Where to Go but someone advised me it will be more useful to place them in different posts, so here is it, it contains exactly the same of that post, in case of new comments about this place, I´ll write a new post.

Nais: a Nice Place for a Nice Breakfast! :D

Nais

This place is already a classic. They started with quite good lunch and dinner options and where one of the firsts to give breakfast options as well. Just give a look at the menu and you will find this is a worth to go there:








I just should puntualized that the last times I went to eat for lunch or dinner there, the food quality wasn´t as good as before, but the prices were higher! :/ But for breakfast it´s still quite good and I defenetely recommend it! :D

On November 2008 they opened the first Aquarium Restaurant of Latin America. I had visited it in February 2009 and yes, it´s beautiful… but you have to pay to enter to the restaurant and if you want a better view they have a VIP option where you have to pay even more for having the privilege of eating there. Ok, the Aquarium is really nice and something quite original… and yes, I understand the maintenance of such a place should be expensive… I just felt expensive the prices they have for that. But it´s a worth view and a nice place.

Here an interview of the history of the group and how they got the idea of placing the Aquarium: (in Spanish)



Here the second part:



Here some views of the result:




I already have talk about this at the post "Breakfast in Guatemala: where to eat" but someone advised me it will be more useful to place them in different posts, so here is it, it contains exactly the same of that post, in case of new comments about this place, I´ll write a new post.





I have already talk about this at the post "Breakfast in Guatemala: where to eat" but someone advised me it will be more useful to place them in different posts, so here is it, it contains exactly the same of that post, in case of new comments about this place, I´ll write a new post.

Kape Paulinos: my Very Favorite in Tecpán

Kape Paulinos

It´s situated at the road, in Tecpan, at the side of Katok.

It´s a nice place to taste typical Guatemalan food. Actually this is my favorite one of that area.

A video giving a perfect idea of what to find there:



An interview with the owners talking about the history and the specialties that you can find here:



And some pics:



I have already talk about this at the post Breakfast in Guatemala: Where to Eat (Third Part) but someone advised me it will be more useful to place them in different posts, so here is it, it contains exactly the same of that post, in case of new comments about this place, I´ll write a new post.

La Cabaña Suiza: Great Food in a Haven of Peace!

La Cabaña Suiza

It´s situated out of the city, at the road going from Guatemala to Antigua Guatemala, at the mountains. They offer hotel and cafeteria services, taking care of the gardens in a very special way, that´s part of what made them famous.

The goal of the cafeteria is to give real Swiss food options, but as usual, for breakfast, they had to offer Guatemalan´s style food to have success.

It´s really magical to go there, also you can appreciate a nice view of the city.

Here some of the pics they have at their web:





I have already talk about this at the post Breakfast in Guatemala: Where to Eat (Third Part) but someone advised me it will be more useful to place them in different posts, so here is it, it contains exactly the same of that post, in case of new comments about this place, I´ll write a new post.

Capistrano

Capistrano

This is an international food restaurant that also had added some years ago the breakfast service to their options. Also a great result! :D Here an example of what you can get at their breakfasts:



I have already talk about this at the post Breakfast in Guatemala: Where to Eat (Third Part) but someone advised me it will be more useful to place them in different posts, so here is it, it contains exactly the same of that post, in case of new comments about this place, I´ll write a new post.

La Palace, Guatemala: the Best Black Forest I Have Ever Tasted!

La Palace

Wondering I didn´t find anything about this cake shop in internet. :( Definitely a real pity! This is a place that was there since I remember. When I was a kid to have a birthday cake from this cake shop was even a kind of wealthy sign. They also had quite interesting salty things for snack time, like the greatest vol au vents I had tried in my entire life! :D With the time they also incorporated breakfasts… but I should say if Igo there, no matter the time of the day, I would prefer to eat a vol au vent or/and a cake. The most famous cake they have is the Black Forest cake.

Addresses of some of their cake shops: Paseo Miraflores Z-11, (502) 23840771; 10 Calle 3-40 Zona 10, (502) 23313008; Blvd. Vista Hermosa 21-71 Z-15, (502) 23857952; CAlz. Aguilar Batres 44-22 Zona 11, (502) 24791718; Centro Comercial Zona 4 Niv. 2, (502) 23352261.

I have already talk about this at the post Breakfast in Guatemala: Where to Eat (Third Part) but someone advised me it will be more useful to place them in different posts, so here is it, it contains exactly the same of that post, in case of new comments about this place, I´ll write a new post.

Patsy: Delicious Cakes!

Pastelería Patsy

They start selling cakes in 1971. Since I remember, everybody in Guatemala City always knew they made the best strawberries and cream cake of the city. With the time they added to the menu salty food as well. Lately they offer a great variety of breakfasts as well!

Here what you can find at their breakfasts:







And here their cakes! :D






I have already talk about this at the post Breakfast in Guatemala: Where to Eat (Third Part) but someone advised me it will be more useful to place them in different posts, so here is it, it contains exactly the same of that post, in case of new comments about this place, I´ll write a new post.

La Estancia: a Great Place for Eating no Matter the Time of the Day.

La Estancia

This is a steak restaurant, Argentinean style that lately also offers breakfasts… and I should say with a quite excellent result! :)) They have a complete breakfast menu, but actually is better to take the buffet that contains:



And I could say you also can find the following desserts at breakfast as a good excuse to present them here... but the case is they are DELICIOUS! so no excuse is needed to place the pic here... ;P My favorite one: Babarua... mmmmmmmmmm!!!!



Here an old ad:



(Yeaph! I know! No breakfast there… but… how not to fall in the temptation of adding it here!?) ;P

I have already talk about this at the post Breakfast in Guatemala: Where to Eat (Second part) but someone advised me it will be more useful to place them in different posts, so here is it, it contains exactly the same of that post, in case of new comments about this place, I´ll write a new post.

Saúl E. Mendez: from dressing with class to eating with class

Saúl E. Mendez

This chain started in 1953 as men cloth store… how it adds the restaurant and cafeteria concept to that? Well, there´s not exactly an explanation but it happened in 1998 and just with small stands selling crêpes and European style hot beverages, it was so successful so they decided to work more deep in that way. They keep on the line of giving European style food (that doesn´t mean to follow up extremely the European customs, they adapt the food style to Guatemalan´s customs and preferences) and they really created something nice, different and worth to try! :D

Here an example of what you can find at their menu for breakfast:

Breakfast in Guatemala: Where to Go. Appendix: SPA, hotel and Restaurant Casa de la Colina.

I had the very good luck of going for few days to Guatemala again some weeks ago. Some friends of mine took me to have breakfast in a place I didn´t know: the SPA, hotel and Restaurant Casa de la Colina.

It´s located at the Km. 31.5 of the Road to Antigua Guatemala. It´s a whole hill very well cared for being a precious place where to have peace.

I´m afraid I wasn´t able to take pics of the menu, but the breakfast was great and seems the rest of the food they cook is also very good.

I wish I would have the time to go to spend a weekend at the SPA! ;)

Here my pics: