Get a chance to see the history of Spanish drawings (almost 200 original works by 47 Spanish artists) of the biggest superheroes such as Superman, Batman, and Spiderman in the upcoming superhero exhibit at Museo ABC. Explore how the figures were brought to life in the Spanish depictions of the American classics.
What do peach, cherry, apple, plum and almond trees have in common? They blossom. These pinks and whites were designed to remind us that spring is just around the bend. And almond trees are open right now, right here in Madrid. They are in full bloom for only two to three weeks so tick tock!
Most of us have heard of Sakura, which means season of the cherry blossoms in Japan. Unbeknownst to many, it is not only cities like Kyoto that have these springtime favorites. The almond tree, in particular, is abundant in Parque Quinta de los Molinos. Just in front of Suanzes metro station (línea 5 or green line) is the entrance to what is almost like another world. Amidst the backdrop of vivid and rambunctious Madrid, is a subtle and tranquil oasis.
There are no stores or cafes in the park, but your friendly alimentación or food stores are available on Calle Alcalá, right around the exit of the metro. Before entering the park premises, grab a sandwich, a refresco, and maybe some nuts to share with the birds, and you are set for a lovely picnic under the almond trees.
It is said that the park was originally the property of a rich count, but later was donated as public space. The approximately 25-hectare park has hundreds of almond trees, and also olive groves, pines, and eucalyptus. You can literally see and smell spring here!
It was no surprise that tourists and locals had their cameras on-hand while ooh-ing and ahh-ing at the sights overhead. It’s a great idea if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city center for a bit.
So go ahead. Plan to take a stroll. Bring your loved ones. Bring your pets. Leave your worries behind. Make your way to Parque Quinta pronto.
Article written by Roy Macaraig, LinkedIn, and photographs by Jenny Peñas, Website, Instagram @jeanina
*This article was updated in February, 2019
Start March off right with the Food Trucks Expo going on from March 1st – March 6th! 16 food trucks will gather near Nuevos Ministerios to showcase food from all over Spain. Don’t miss the chance to have food from vendors like Lucia’s, Origen, and Frankfurt’s Madrid!
11:30am-9pm – Tuesday through Wednesday
11:30am-10:30pm – Friday & Saturday
11:30am-6pm – Sunday
This is the time of year when many of us are forced to ask ourselves daunting questions such as: Who am I? Where am I going? What am I doing with my life? Should I stay or should I go? Can I be this happy anywhere else? Am I happy now? Should I continue my education? Should I start my career? Should I be closer to my family?
More often than not, we opt to mañana mañana these questions until this time next year by renewing our contracts as teaching assistants, switching Auxiliar programs, or continuing to hustle however we hustle and upholding the status quo of tapas, terrazas, low rent, and budget-friendly hedonism.
It is often difficult to break the news of your decision to stay abroad to your parents, especially if they believe with conviction that the American Dream is not only feasible, but that the pursuit of it is the only respectable way to live.
While success is subjective across generations and cultures, for many American parents the epitome of success for their offspring can entail any of the following:
Some families want to have, or feel that they deserve, a say in the decision-making process of their progeny to steer them away from a life of permanent squalor. Understandably their patience for the mañana mañana mindset will inevitably run thin. With each additional year that their beloved child spends teaching abroad, earning a wage that would be considered below poverty-level in the United States, parents will inevitably go through the stages of grief for their child’s futures as they were once envisioned.
Disclaimer: I’m well aware that there is no one-size-fits-all relationship between parents and kin. Just as there are parents who do not attempt to sway their offspring in any direction, there are kin who do not care whether or not their parents approve of their lifestyle.
Below are some predicted comments from your parents that will indicate what stage of grief they are in, accompanied by an advisable response to help them manage their expectations.
Although I’m certain that we collectively do not want Donald Trump to rise to the presidency, it would at least make a non-issue of the Should I stay or Should I go debate. Please feel free to share your own experiences breaking the news to your parents in the comment section!
The landlocked city of Madrid is supposedly home to the country’s best quality fish and seafood. Why? Because Madrileños say so! Opinion aside, it’s true that fresh fish from all coasts of Spain are shipped to the capital on a daily basis and one restaurant in Sol has taken full advantage: Chirignuito de El Señor Martín, located on Calle Mayor.
Chiringuito means ‘beach bar’ in Spanish, hence the restaurant’s beach-chic feel and menu featuring a variety of fish and seafood platters. During summer, this chiringuito gets even breezier when it opens its glass doors onto Calle Mayor and becomes one with the sidewalk. During winter, the restaurant also expands its menu to include heartier seafood stews and rice dishes.
James and I had the pleasure of having lunch here on Wednesday. When you walk in, you see the fresh fish on display, which comes straight from El Señor Martín, a high-quality fish market inside Mercado de San Miguel (and where the restaurant gets the other half of its name).
You can see right into the kitchen, where you’ll find the tattoo-covered chef, Beltrán Alonso. He and the waiter kindly explained each menu item to us, as well as the innovative cooking techniques they use and the origin of their ingredients. So without further ado, here’s what we had…
To drink, we started off with two glasses of champagne, which came with a tapa of camarones, baby shrimp that are caught using sustainable fishing methods.
Our first sarter was ensaladilla rusa, a traditional homemade potato salad with baby shrimp and fish roe. This is on their permanent menu and it wouldn’t be a real Spanish fish restaurant without it!
Our second starter was very innovative: gambas con dos cocciones y ajo morado de las Pedroñeras, twice-cooked shrimp with black garlic. It’s important to note that the black garlic they use is the best in Spain (if not the world, according to our waiter). The flavor of the shrimp was completely distinct and absolutely delicious.
Our third starter was our favorite: calamares. This is one of the most typical dishes in Andalucía and here, it’s not only good quality (fresh from El Señor Martín market) but also prepared in extra virgin olive oil, like everything else on the menu. It was so fresh, light and satisfying. You have to get this when you go here no matter what.
For our main dish, we had arroz meloso con corvina salvaje (rice cooked in broth with wild sea bass), accompanied by two glasses of albariño (Galician white wine). I really loved this dish. The sea bass was cooked to perfection and the rice had a delicious flavor to it. I couldn’t have been happier. To top it all off, we had cheesecake!
If you’re in Sol and looking for some of the freshest fish in the city, as well as a mini-trip to the beach, this is your place!
Get ready for another monthly chess event brought to you by Desperate Literature. This month’s theme: I’ll be back! Practice your best impression of the Terminator and enjoy playing a game of chess with friends.
Get a chance to look at some of the work from emerging young European artists at the Room Art Fair #5 happening February 26-28 at the Hotel Petit Palace Santa Bárbara. This international and independent exhibit aims to showcase art in an accessible manner that diminishes the barrier to the general public. Some of the artists include: Bolo Blas, Emo Díaz, Marcelo Fiedler, and Ms Nina.
With an array of brews, this Beer Festival in Palacio Vistalegre February 25-26 and March 3-6 will blow you away! Designed to be family friendly and accompanied by live music, a global variety of meat and a playground for the kids, this festival is open to all. All people and all ale from Irish reds to Belgian blondes, Mexican pales and more. Though limited, admission is free and all children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult and abstain from consuming alcohol, other options will be available.
The festival is open from 7:30pm – 12am on Thursdays and Fridays, 12pm – 5pm on Saturdays and 12pm – 10pm on Sundays.
Located in Palacio Vistalegre Arena on Calle Matilde Hernández, the nearest metro station is Vistalegre
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Brunch is all the rage in Madrid right now. Restaurants big and small are offering full-on Saturday and Sunday brunch menus featuring the works: mimosas, eggs Benedict, hash browns, you name it. We’ve already written about a few of our favorite brunch spots in hip neighborhoods like Malasaña and Chueca. Yet the craze is now also hitting Madrid’s more upscale neighborhood of Barrio Salamanca, thanks to Fonty.
Fonty began serving brunch on Sundays at its first location on Calle Castelló 12 a few years ago. Due to popular demand, the restaurant quickly started offering it on Saturdays as well. And now, you can also enjoy a weekend brunch at their second location, newly opened and just a 15 minute walk away on Calle Juan Bravo, 41, where James and I went on Sunday. The decor is modern yet cozy, and they’re planning on opening up a terrace which will surely be nice come summer. Sipping on your cappuccino in the sun sounds pretty perfect to me!
One of the owners, Marie, told James and I that she originally wanted to open up a pastry shop, yet decided to open a restaurant to cater to Madrid’s sit-down culture. Many of their first customers still come in regularly for their homemade cakes and pastries. In addition to sweets and brunch, Fonty also serve a complete menu del día for €13, using fresh ingredients; they never fry anything. So Fonty is a great place to go to if you’re in the neighborhood and looking for something lighter than what you might find next door.
As for brunch, you’ll find four different options that range from €20-26. We went with the second option that included a brunch special (from egg dishes to pancakes), plus a pastry, orange juice, coffee and yogurt with fruit and granola, which cost €20 each. When we go back, we’ll have to try the first option which came with a burger.
As for our brunch specials, I got the tosta de la casa which came with roasted tomato, ham, portobello mushrooms, poached egg and hollandaise sauce. James got the eggs Benedict with bacon. The quality was incredible. The sauce was so rich yet velvety smooth. The yogurt and freshly squeezed orange juice gave us that feeling of being healthy, and the pastry was the perfect touch of sweetness. Then the coffee topped it all off.
So, if you’re in Barrio Salamanca and craving a good brunch or menú del día, you’ve got not one but two locations to choose from!
The advertising and PR agency, K’Moon, is holding a unique market all day Thursday at its office on Calle Príncipe 12, 3B, near metros Sol and Sevilla. At the event, the company will be offering special prices on collections of the brands it works with, as well as a raffle, activities, music, a beauty corner and cocktails, among other surprises in store!
