[Gocamino] Non Spanish Restaurants

[Rosina]

The food in Spain changes?incredibly from region to region; in the French Camino alone the variety is daunting. You cannot find "migas" in Burgos, "vieras" in Leon, "pimentos de Padron" anywhere outside Galicia, etc. etc. etc.?
I have stayed at the Boccalino hotel in Leon which is right across San Isidro and around the corner from the Cathedral. While the hotel is nice, the location great, and the service excellent I cannot say the same for the two "Italian" restaurants attached to it; both were pretty mediocre, although they seemed to be popular with young people who eat pizza and the like.?
Abutting the same little square in front of the church (and museum)?there are two excellent Spanish restaurants; on the side streets; perhaps the high quality of their offering has to do with the fact that an appeals and administrative court is right there and the lawyers, etc., patronize those restaurants.
I've been told by friends, family and doctors that I have a stomach lined with in steel.... in fact, I never get sick from eating things, but I did get terribly sick in Leon after eating at a fancy "French" restaurant and in Burgos after eating at an "Italian" one.
In my youth a world-travelling friend gave me a piece of advice:?"when you go to another country eat what the natives eat.... they know".? Sure enough, ?I have done so everywhere and have only gotten sick when I've strayed from that eminently logical principle.... Of course, restaurants and coffee shops that cater to tourists fall outside the general norm which. is why the "natives" avoid them.??
I would just keep an eye to see where the local working people go for lunch, etc., and go there.... In the restaurant would look to see what the majority of the patrons are eating, would?try to find out what it is and would order it. Don't be shy about asking. Most patrons, and waiters, like to talk about their food. A bit of advice: if a person dining offers you? taste of her/his food during the explanation do NOT refuse it..... even if it is octopus....to refuse it would be an insulting discourtesy. Just close your eyes, swallow, and "think of England". Most of the time you'll love it.
Hugs!
Rosina

-----Original Message-----
From: Glenn Jilek <guha2005 at hotmail.com>
To: blaroli at aol.com
Sent: Sat, 14 Mar 2009 3:31 pm
Subject: RE: [Gocamino] Non Spanish Restaurants


For example, because of my query, I have heard that Boccalino's in Leon is an excellent Italian Restaurant the is not to be missed, and is near the Cathedral.? At that point, I?have enjoyed a good 3 weeks of Spanish menus...a little?variety is the spice of life they say.? This next time I will sample my first Italian meal in Spain while passing through Leon.
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Glenn
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