VDLP/ Sanabres memorable meals

[Donna Sch]

I'm just doing a bit of research on accommodation options using Trip Advisor and checking out what is available food-wise as well. Only up to Monasterio so far but I think I will have to try out this place http://www.restaurantelrinconcillo.com/#_=_ It has some recipes that are absolutely mouthwatering on the website.
Anyone come across fantastic food on the VDLP whether it was fancy restaurant, or something simple that was just really well done? Any particular regional dishes that you recommend?

 

[Deleted member 3000]

After Dozon (the hospitalero will call for a free ride to the restaurant); not for vegetarians!!:




https://www.google.com/maps/@42.591...m4!1e1!3m2!1sJ41eGau4VrScUB0UrROaNw!2e0?hl=en

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi, Donna,
If you're a foodie, you're going to find great meals in all the many wonderful cities along the route -- Sevilla, Caceres, Merida, Salamanca, Zamora, Ourense. They all have a strong tourism base, which always means upscale restaurants. I have been to some in those cities, but never while walking, and I'm sure you'll have no trouble finding the currently popular spots. Food in Spain is just as trendy as food in other places, in my experience.

I can recommend a few basic home cooking spots in places where you are not likely to find too much choice.

In Montamarta, the Bar Rosamary, on the way out of town, is hands down better than the alternatives you will pass as you go through town. Owned by two women, high quality, lots of produce.

In A Gudina -- Oscars is one of those places with a 10 euro menu del dia, filled to the rafters with workers. Workers and pilgrims seem to have the same dietary needs -- big filling meals, home cooked always better. That's this place.

Xunqueira de Ambia -- Bocateria Beje, a small place on the side of the road, you will pass it on the way into town from the albergue (which is very nice). Another place owned and operated by two women (who used to be textile workers, lost their jobs, had to find a way to make a living, they are great at what they do and care very much about it). Meals available any time they are open, always good home cooked food. I was told by my French companions the last time I was there that they had a couple of very nice wines, but I am not much of a wine snob, so all I can tell you is that the wine was very good.

Puebla de Sanabria is a touristy town with lots of expensive hotels, and I'm sure you'll find foodie places there as well. The local beans form the basis of many dishes.

I'll hunt through my notes for some more recommendations. Buen camino, Laurie

 

[AlanB]

Couldn't agree more about Café Rosemary.Great grub

 

[alansykes]

Hi, Donna,
In A Gudina -- Oscars is one of those places with a 10 euro menu del dia, filled to the rafters with workers. Workers and pilgrims seem to have the same dietary needs -- big filling meals, home cooked always better. That's this place.

Yup, I enjoyed Oscar's very much as well. Heaving with people (always a good sign), excellent filling food, very good value. At Puebla de Sanabria I've eaten a couple of times at the quite posh Posada de las Misas, right at the top of the town on the plaza Mayor. Partridge in a wine sauce and local wild mushrooms sticks in the memory. It was a bit quiet when I arrived, but filled up from about 10pm. If you're staying at the Casa Núňez in Campobecerros, the communal evening meal is a must: no choice, you just eat what's put in front of you, which everybody else, including the owners, is eating as well - when I was there it was a delicious caldo gallego and then a thick beef stew with chick peas, potatoes and more cabbage.

It's possible to have some fairly indifferent menús del día as well, but usually the sopa de ajo is hard to get wrong, even if followed by an uninteresting slab of fried or grilled meat or fish. I think vegetarians might have a problem on the VdlP.

 

[peregrina2000]

Just wanted to add a picture of the Rosamary. We were leaving early in the morning, and one of the owners was out sweeping. though the picture doesn´t show it well, she was bowing to us with a flourish of the broom and wishing us a buen camino. Definitely the place to go in Montamarta, but it´s the last place on the way out of town, so don´t be tempted to stop earlier! Buen camino, Laurie

 

[Castilian]

Any particular regional dishes that you recommend?

Tons of regional dishes. Some of them:

Gazpacho (in Andalucía)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gazpacho

Caldereta (in Extremadura)

http://www.canalextremadura.es/alacarta/tv/videos/buenas-migas-caldereta-extremena-de-cordero-111013

Calderillo Bejarano (in Béjar and surroundings)

http://www.bejar.es/tradiciones/gastronomia/calderillo

Hornazo (e.g.: in Salamanca)

http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hornazo#Salamanca
http://www.rtve.es/alacarta/videos/un-pais-para-comerselo/pais-para-comerselo-receta-hornazo/2086533

Arroz a la zamorana (in Zamora)

http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arroz_a_la_zamorana

If you happen to be in the city of Zamora on Easter (Resurrection Sunday), dos y pingada is something typical there on that day.

http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dos_y_pingada

Lacón con grelos (in Galicia)

http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lacón_con_grelos

Pulpo a la gallega (aka polbo á feira)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polbo_á_feira

 

[LRM]

I'm just doing a bit of research on accommodation options using Trip Advisor and checking out what is available food-wise as well. Only up to Monasterio so far but I think I will have to try out this place http://www.restaurantelrinconcillo.com/#_=_ It has some recipes that are absolutely mouthwatering on the website.
Anyone come across fantastic food on the VDLP whether it was fancy restaurant, or something simple that was just really well done? Any particular regional dishes that you recommend?

Rionegro del Puente has an amazing restaurant approximately 3km after he village. I stayed in Rionegro just to go here and although the walk seemed ridiculous after a fairly hefty day on the Camino it was WELL worth it and we were offered a lift/ride back to the albergue by the owner. The most memorable meal of the Plata/Sanabres. I think it is closed Mondays but check recent info by looking for El Empalme, Rionegro. Buen provecho!

 

[Donna Sch]

Rionegro del Puente has an amazing restaurant approximately 3km after he village. I stayed in Rionegro just to go here and although the walk seemed ridiculous after a fairly hefty day on the Camino it was WELL worth it and we were offered a lift/ride back to the albergue by the owner. The most memorable meal of the Plata/Sanabres. I think it is closed Mondays but check recent info by looking for El Empalme, Rionegro. Buen provecho!

Oh good. That's a planned stop and I should be there on a Thursday

 

[Donna Sch]

My top 3 meals:
1. Rionegro del Puente "Me gusta comer" . Theofilos is an incredibly creative man and is absolutely passionate about food and hospitality. That man could be a success wherever he lives. The menu del dia is incredible.
2. Monesterio. El Rinconcillo. A pricey restaurant meal but I recommend their degustation menu. Friendly people too.
3. Grimaldo. The bar at the top of the hill when you hit the main road. Apart from being a very welcome sight at the end of your day, they do a very nice menu del dia.A bit more varied than the typical menu and good simple food done well.

Honourable mentions:
Bar Rosemary. Good food and also open at 7 am. The very first place we came across that was open early for coffee for many a mile.
Ponte Ulla. The bar and accommodation first on your right after crossing the bridge. Had a lovely lunch here with my friends. And you get lovely views over the river and can watch the pilgrims walking in.