- Time of past OR future Camino
- VdlP(2012) Madrid(2014)Frances(2015) VdlP(2016)
VdlP(2017)Madrid/Sanabres/Frances reverse(2018)
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At the time I walked Sanabres (2015) I only had info to obtain key to the albergue at the other restaurant (Bar Palacio) to the right from the church as you enter. After paying for the albergue and the key was handed over the lady asked me if I want to have dinner and I agreed. Couple of hours later and after the dinner (which wasn't bad at all but quite mediocre) I went for a beer to the other restaurant called "Me gusta comer" across the street from albergue and immediately I was sorry I have had dinner in the other one. The owner was like a character from a comics, full of energy, knowledge and unbelievably welcoming. Yes, he's a smoker too as I am and he charged only 3 beers instead of 4 that I had drank. On behalf of nice conversation he said. I was the only pilgrim in the albergue that night so maybe that was the reason also. He told me his wife is a hospitalera (the cleaning lady to say the least) for the albergue.I had just rolled into Rionegro. The only accommodation is the very fine albergue, and when I went in, there was a group of pilgrims sitting around the table who turned out to be Irish. It was very late in the day and I was famished. When I asked where I could get some food, they all enthusiastically pointed in unison, indicating the restaurant across the road. Off I went and I was greeted by the owner, a lady, who sat me down at one of the 20 or so totally empty tables. She then explained, I think, that the cook had gone home, but she'd get him back, and proceeded to do just that over her mobile phone. I didn't think that this was very promising, but I ordered a vino tinto, and we waited.
A few minutes later, in rushed this quite extraordinary man, looking a bit like a leprechaun, in bright green shorts and extravagant Hawaiian shirt, with a wild mop of unruly hair. After a few words with the lady, he made an immediate start on my Menu del Dia, in full view of me, at the far end of the restaurant. I was given soup, which only took a few minutes to reheat, then he began the main course and I realised he was putting on a real performance for my benefit. An operatic CD was playing, and he began to sing along in a loud, very passable tenor voice while he prepared the main course. This involved hilarious theatrical flourishes as though he were a magician performing a trick. The sliced pork with potatoes and vegetables was very much to my taste, and when I requested a refill of vino tinto, he produced a large carafe of the stuff, complete with a blue ribbon tied around it. A delicious sweet and coffee followed, and I indicated that I'd like to sit outside and have a smoke. He beamed at this, and insisted on carrying both the coffee, and still virtually-full carafe of wine to a table in the street, opposite the albergue, where he proceeded to sit down opposite me, produced his own pack and offered me one. At this point we were joined by the Irish contingent, who must have been watching the antics from the albergue. We all, including the chef, polished off the wine, followed by shots of whiskey from a large flask which he produced, (again with a dramatic flourish) from his pocket. He chatted amiably in an accent that completely defeated all of us, but that didn't seem to matter. Come 11pm, (one of the Irish guys had the albergue key in his pocket), I thought it time to call a halt, and asked for “la cuenta”. “Diez euros” says he, and he cleared the table, locked up the restaurant, and wandered off up the street.
The owner was like a character from a comics, full of energy, knowledge and unbelievably welcoming. Yes, he's a smoker too as I am and he charged only 3 beers instead of 4 that I had drank. On behalf of nice conversation he said. I was the only pilgrim in the albergue that night so maybe that was the reason also. He told me his wife is a hospitalera (the cleaning lady to say the least) for the albergue.
Eh, not really a full conversation but over a cigarette and a beer much can be discussed even if you don speak fluent Spanish. But he speaks very fast, that was my problem also. When talking to a smart person (s)he can find the right word when you are searching for in your vocabulary.Well, ...I inadvertently reversed the "hierarchy" at the "Me Gusta Comer", and I'm ashamed to say that I had forgotten its name. I will be passing through again with a friend next year, and I will tell him his fame is rightly spreading across the world!
I'm curious, KinkyOne. Was it the Galician accent, because my rudimentary Spanish couldn't cope at all. You obviously managed a full conversation.
So I guess everything is possible
I had forgotten the name Rionegro but your description of the restaurant brought it all back to me. We also had a memorable meal there in October 2014, although my notes just say that we had our best meal to date and that the sign above the door read "Asociación Gastronómica"I had just rolled into Rionegro. The only accommodation is the very fine albergue, and when I went in, there was a group of pilgrims sitting around the table who turned out to be Irish. It was very late in the day and I was famished. When I asked where I could get some food, they all enthusiastically pointed in unison, indicating the restaurant across the road. Off I went and I was greeted by the owner, a lady, who sat me down at one of the 20 or so totally empty tables. She then explained, I think, that the cook had gone home, but she'd get him back, and proceeded to do just that over her mobile phone. I didn't think that this was very promising, but I ordered a vino tinto, and we waited.
at this, and insisted on carrying both the coffee, and still virtually-full carafe of wine to a table in the street, opposite the albergue,
At the time I walked Sanabres (2015) I only had info to obtain key to the albergue at the other restaurant (Bar Palacio) to the right from the church as you enter. After paying for the albergue and the key was handed over the lady asked me if I want to have dinner and I agreed. Couple of hours later and after the dinner (which wasn't bad at all but quite mediocre) I went for a beer to the other restaurant called "Me gusta comer" across the street from albergue and immediately I was sorry I have had dinner in the other one. The owner was like a character from a comics, full of energy, knowledge and unbelievably welcoming. Yes, he's a smoker too as I am and he charged only 3 beers instead of 4 that I had drank. On behalf of nice conversation he said. I was the only pilgrim in the albergue that night so maybe that was the reason also. He told me his wife is a hospitalera (the cleaning lady to say the least) for the albergue.
Beautiful report @Peregrinopaul and I would sincerely recommend short stage from Olleros de Tera (14,8km) to enjoy some swimming in the embalse or at the municipal beach on the river in Rionegro del Puente and to "splurge" (hardly the right expression for the prices) at Me gusta comer. Anyway I'll sure do that next time on Sanabres
It has been pleasure to read about the positive experiences of others at this restaurant.Will not forget the evening meal that we had at Me Gusta Comer in Rionegro del Puente
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