Food on the Camino

[hughb]

Have visited rural Spain many times and have always found that the Menu del Dia is really good value at lunchtime, far cheaper than the evening. Is that also the case on the North Route and if so are there many restaurants? Thought we might eat lunchtime sometimes with an easy afternoon stroll and snack in the evenings. Anyone have any ideas? If not what is the food availability on the route as most of what I have read relates only to the France route. :?:

 

[peregrino_tom]

hughb
I've only walked the first half, but I think your Menu del Dia plan probably works equally well on the Norte. However in the Basque country you'll often have to resist the temptation of all the fantastic looking pintxos laid out along the bar before you can reach the dining room...
Yes, ordering off the menu in the evening can double the cost of what is pretty much the same items as in the Menu del Dia. Always worth checking if they're holding back a much cheaper Platos Combinados menu.
Distinctive features of the coastal Norte include some great ice cream shops in the resort towns and Turkish kebab shops which are cheap and do great falafel based meals for those of us wanting to avoid meat.
cheers, tom

 

[mikevasey]

The menu del dia is quite easy to come by on the Norte, just as good value as the Frances with often better choice, the only area it does not compare to the CF is with the wines, they can be a bit vineragry
Another good thing about the basque area on the coast is that they tend to eat earlier than the rest of
Spain, which is good if you are having an evening meal.

 

[Canuck]

...the wines, they can be a bit vineragry

But the ciders in Asturia compensate amply.

 

[Thornley]

Keep to that warm beer Mike,
David

 

[mikevasey]

The Cider of Asturias, if my backpack could talk, what shameful tales it would have to tell. The bottles best come with a warning of avoiding groups of Asturians if Spain reaches and wins any major football tournement.

Its Ok Dave i spent 2 very enjoyable years backpacking in Oz and NZ, I learnt the error of my ways in how lagers should be served, the only warm frothy beverage that i sip now is cappucino.

 

[peregrino_tom]

If you are walking anytime soon between Zumaia and Deba on the Norte you will probably see this
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aubretia/8 ... /lightbox/

You can leave your €1.50 in the honesty box (for 75cl bottle), but quite often the guy is there to greet you (although I missed him). We drank the cider that evening in Deba at the albergue and it was very fine!
(photo by AubreyL)

 

[MikeJS]

I remember that! Can’t say that I would recommend it as it was pretty rough cider!

 

[mikevasey]

Missed that, I went the other way . Not sure if the Basque cider is the same as Asturias cider but if it is the British comparison would be Scrumpy, the Asturians pour the liquid into the glass about 2 ft above it (usually about 100ml/4-5 fl oz) and then knock it back in one, repeat until the bottle(s) finished, not sure it makes it taste any better,but it does put some oxygen into it so it can work its magic a little bit faster (and allegedly allow more complex flavours to come through).

 

[angulero]

No tiene nada que ver la sidra de Asturias con la vasca. Yo no probé la sidra vasca, pero casi toda la gente que conozco y probó ambas dice que es mucho mejor la asturiana.

La sidra asturiana se tira al vaso (escanciar) para que suelte el anhidrido carbónico y de esta forma, por unos segundos, adquiera unas propiedades que no tienen otras sidras. Por eso se debe beber pronto y al trago, para que no se pierdan esas propiedades.

http://www.sidradeasturias.es/guias_pra ... php?id=164

It has nothing to do Asturias cider with Basque. I did not try Basque cider, but most of the people I know and tested both said to be much better Asturias.

The Asturian cider pulled the glass (pour) to release carbon dioxide and so, for a few seconds, purchase properties without other ciders. So you should drink soon and drink, so as not to lose these properties.

http://www.sidradeasturias.es/guias_pra ... a=3&id=164

 

[Thornley]

The last post Mike reminds me of the wonderful scottish movie
The Angela Share.

 

[DougWatson]

On the ferry to Santander now, doing the northern route... Will be hunting good value sea food.... any recommendations?

Any little gems for a lover of all things from the sea!

Tanks

 

[Tia Valeria]

Food good. Yes, menu del dia at lunchtime. Buy bread and cheese, jamon, etc for supper is best. Tortilla too.
Be aware that shops close Sat pm and Sunday.
Some places have 'desvios' making the route much longer than given in the guides. From Colombres to Pendueles is shorter by road, if you can do so. Ask the locals. If not add 5kms.
From Andrin (coastal route E9) now the official camino because of roadworks, after the 'mirador' where the camino crosses the road it seems possible to walk the road to Cue and Llanes, avoids a long uphill section of the E9. Again ask the locals. By E9 it is 16kms from Pendueles to Llanes.
We did the marked route and realised this last week.
Buen Camino