The chic-est museum cafeteria/coffee shop I have been to lately. Even the food looked like art. Thank goodness it was lunch time so we stopped for a pleasant meal before spending a couple of hours roaming up and down the Prado museum. I lingered then smiled at the “turo-turo” offerings. Clever how the white plates looked like canvasses, onto which ingredients were beautifully assembled. I have never seen plates so visually appealing, with a clear eye for composition, shape, texture and color. We had just come from a tapas meal the night before, and were headed to another one later that same day, so while the offerings looked stunning, we opted for other grub…
While lining up for a tray and cutlery, I snapped this photo of the clever and economical floral/fruit display. So simple, and yet again so visually appealing. I will definitely take inspiration from this for home use. We have all the vases, we have much of the fruit and vegetables and the leaves are easy to replicate. It’ll last days and definitely cause guests to look twice. :)
Mrs. MM opted for a lamb stew with a side of couscous, the best of our three meals. A nice rich and flavorful sauce and well-flavored couscous was a substantial choice, enough to warrant a siesta…
The Teen had a slice of potato and spinach frittata and a green salad on the side.
I ordered a pasta salad that was more visually arresting than brilliant tasting. But overall, a very nice lunch in the museum lobby. And not overpriced either. If we were to do the Prado again, I would spend a couple of hours on the first floor, then take a break to have a leisurely lunch, then return to do the second floor in the early afternoon…
14 Responses
consider the first pic stolen for a desktop wallpaper…
Franky, I would gain 3 pounds if that were my destktop wallpaper… :)
Hi Marketman! Nice pics. I’m curious, what are those sprouts with the black bits in the first picture, alfalafa?
are those plates for single serves? would you remember what they were?
there is no justice in this world! how could Mrs. MM eat all that and still manage to stay very svelte?
A visual explosion of taste !!!!
Gej, yes, I think they are alfalfa or similar sprout. dragon, yes, single serves as a main course I suppose. One was a fish with escabeche style sauce, the other sardines with couscous I think, white asparagus with jamon serrano, ham (though it cooked be cured beef instead of pork) with melon, salmon with capers… millet, trust me, we are bulging in all the normal middle-aged places :)
Truly inspiring!!!
Hi MM, Wonder if you try the three michellin starred elBulli by Chef owner Ferran Adria which is often called the worlds best restaurant?
Re: 2nd pic, I vaguely remember you having done a similar idea with philodendron leaves and even more vaguely an Indonesian aboriginal cod piece that somehow got inserted into the conversation.
Footloose you are correct, have used the leaves, never fruit or vege yet… and the koteka still sits on the entry table. :) JunB, no, we have not been to El Bulli which is outside Barcelona, and it is closing soon.
Yup he is closing it for 2 years starting on 2012 and 2013 but not permanently.
Oh, that is beautiful. So easy to do. MM, I referred back to your previous post and your arrangement was really beautiful too. I must do that tomorrow. My lilies are just coming out.
There is a botanical park beside The Prado, did you have a chance to visit that. There were not very many blooms when we were there so we had our siesta on the benches there before we went back to the museum. Shhhh, hardly anyone there.
Like any popular destination, Madrid has its share of restaurants that cater to tourists/travellers–somewhat or not at all inspiring but enough to satisfy a hungry tummy. Taking the route to apartment living (highly recommended, adventurous or not)when we visited this grand dame of a city gave us the opportunity to check out authentic neighborhood tapas bars. At one point we ended up in the Lavapies, a relatively seedy area populated by North Africans, Indians, Chinese and a smattering of Pinoys (!!). It was safe but decided to head back when it started to turn dark at around 10:30 pm. My one indulgence was chocolate con churro (I’m after all an unabashed chocoholic — dark bitter ones that reminded me of my childhood).
Dear MM, would you be so kind as to share your chocolate-e or a recipe(s). I’ve just about tried assorted prepartions. Salamat and please know that your blogs are worth every minute of my time since i discovered your site and found a feature on Ilocos. Salud!