Great businesses, restaurants and other places along the way

[Canucks]

We just had two amazing and unexpected experiences.

In Carrion de Los Condes we went to the camino store...forget the name!! Calzado de Camino or something like that. Anyways, the little old man did the best job getting past the language barrier, made it clear he knew what the problem was, that he was an expert, and sold my wife on some high quality hiking sandals to arrest a toe problem that was developing. He was right and he did a great job. Very knowledgeable!!

The 2nd great experience was in Moratinos at El Castillo De Moratinos, a little bar/restaurant in an old wine cave. For a town of, apparently, 25 people, this place was amazing. The one brother who was cooking took *incredible* pride in his creations and really cared. I have found this to be uncommon along the camino frances. Amazing value, amazing food, great attitude.....all good.

 

[MendiWalker]

Not amazing at all. Along the Camino you will come across very friendly and helpful people. As usual people just mention all that is negative. Thanks for mentioning some good experiences.
I´m glad your wife´s foot problem has been solved and that you had a great meal.

Buen Camino!

 

[Canucks]

Not amazing at all. Along the Camino you will come across very friendly and helpful people. As usual people just mention all that is negative. Thanks for mentioning some good experiences.
I´m glad your wife´s foot problem has been solved and that you had a great meal.

Buen Camino!

I guess my point wasn't that I was amazed to have a positive experience or that these were the first friendly, helpful people on the camino.......rather, these two stood out head and shoulders amongst a long list of continual positive experiences so THAT is what made them amazing.

Because of the incredible pride and attention to detail in each of their businesses, I felt they were worth mentioning.
YMMV.

 

[naplesdon]

I do not want to egg on a fight here but the pride that the people in Spain, as well as France, have in their personal service, whether it is the commercants or the restaurant owners, is heads above the indifference to customer service one finds in North America. Why? We are supposedly in the middle of a major recession here and the unemployment rate is astronomical but everyone is still friendly and open to offering a hand to anyone. Mean spirited people just don't seem to exist here!

 

[MendiWalker]

I do not want to egg on a fight here but the pride that the people in Spain, as well as France, have in their personal service, whether it is the commercants or the restaurant owners, is heads above the indifference to customer service one finds in North America. Why? We are supposedly in the middle of a major recession here and the unemployment rate is astronomical but everyone is still friendly and open to offering a hand to anyone. Mean spirited people just don't seem to exist here!

Totally agree with you on that.
Why be mean spirited, you only hurt yourself. Life is short and we´re only in transit here.

Buen Camino!

 

[Canucks]

I do not want to egg on a fight here but the pride that the people in Spain, as well as France, have in their personal service, whether it is the commercants or the restaurant owners, is heads above the indifference to customer service one finds in North America. Why? We are supposedly in the middle of a major recession here and the unemployment rate is astronomical but everyone is still friendly and open to offering a hand to anyone. Mean spirited people just don't seem to exist here!

Where is the "fight" and "mean spirited" stuff coming from???

Wow, all I said, and then clarified as much as possible, was that all is good. And then, as with everywhere, you can hit places that soar above in customer service. It was coming from a nice, happy place.....not comparing to North America, France, China, Afghanistan, or anywhere else........just saying I had 2 experiences that were more amazing than others.....yikes. I thought a shout out to something exceptional would result in something positive for these great folks.

 

[William Marques]

Please do not upset each other. This could be a useful thread about places that have given exceptional service or value. There are stand out places at every price level (or even no price at all) and it is worth celebrating them.

 

[MendiWalker]

Please do not upset each other. This could be a useful thread about places that have given exceptional service or value. There are stand out places at every price level (or even no price at all) and it is worth celebrating them.

Who is upsetting anyone?
Was not my intention at all.
Please care to show me where?

Buen Camino!

 

[dbjordan]

I would recommend Bar Deportivo in Navarrette. Antonio is a fabulous chef. I ate there a few nights ago and the bacalao-stuffed pimentos in squid ink with rice and aioli were incredible. The Santiago cake with moscatel was a real treat. Say hi to Antonio. He's a very sweet man with a great smile.

 

[dbjordan]

15€, dinner at 7:30 pm.

 

[Pattii]

I am so excited to see places that are not fast food oriented. I loved that about Jamaica too. The best places where the ones that just the owner himself cooked and served...yummy. I am looking forward to eating along the Camino. I hope that doesn't sound bad...lol

 

[Thornley]

I am so excited to see places that are not fast food oriented. I loved that about Jamaica too. The best places where the ones that just the owner himself cooked and served...yummy. I am looking forward to eating along the Camino. I hope that doesn't sound bad...lol

 

[naplesdon]

I too ate in Navarette last year and can also recommend the incredible blood sausage they serve at Bar Deportivo. Next stop was making dinner with Pedro in Cireuna. I can go on and on about the food and the people but I'll be back next year just to try out some new places.