British Menu in Galicia, Lugo
 

Ho guys,

I am Katie and used to live in UK for the past 11 years. Now me and my husband are living in Monforte de Lemos, Galicia, Spain, where we have our small, family pizzeria. I would love to add a traditional English food in our menu, but I was wondering if it is going to have any success. I would love to have your feedback and opinions, which are going to be much appreciated!

Thank you!

Re: British Menu in Galicia, Lugo
 

Hi, and welcome to the forum!
Best post again in the dedicated Spain forum, as this is a world-wide introduction section, although it is a world-wide question!:)
Meanwhile, why not experiment with one British dish per week (in addition to your normal fare) to see how your customers react? Fish & Chips springs to mind, but it didn't catch on for French palates. Steak & kidney pie might also be too "heavy", likewises a roast with Yorkshire pudding. For a "full English breakfast", you'd have to source genuine British sausages, bacon and baked beans, although IMO the sauce in "European" baked beans is better-tasting.... Good luck with your venture, you can but try, and if English food doesn't attract your customers, stick with Italian!:)

Re: British Menu in Galicia, Lugo
 

I have moved your thread into the Spain forum so no need to post again. Hopefully some members will provide you with the help that you need. Please remember that there is a no advertising rule on BE so do not try to promote your restaurant in any manner.

Rosemary

Re: British Menu in Galicia, Lugo
 

other than fish and chips and the islands national dish - curry; I can not think of anything else. There has to be a real Indian resto nearby also soI guess it is just fish and chips and breakfast...
Now you can go full on UK and do haggis or anything fried to show off some scottish cuisine... Have no clue what they eat in NI or Wales... ..

Let us know how it goes...

Re: British Menu in Galicia, Lugo
 

Have you thought about desserts? I think puddings and cakes are something the British do very well - apple pie, lemon drizzle cake, coffee and walnut cake, individual trifles, sticky toffee pudding, etc. Scones with jam and cream are usually popular but would be problematic in Spain because real clotted cream isn't widely available and when it is (sold in some British grocery shops but probably thin on the ground to non existent in Galicia) it's extremely expensive so probably not cost effective for a small restaurant.

Re: British Menu in Galicia, Lugo
 

... Cornish Pastie perhaps?

Re: British Menu in Galicia, Lugo
 

Are you anywhere near any Camino routes? If you have hungry walkers you could do well...

Re: British Menu in Galicia, Lugo
 

There are Galician dishes with a similar British version (estofado = stew, empanadas = pasties, bica = sponge cake, tarta de Santiago = almond cake)... Maybe you could start with those?

Re: British Menu in Galicia, Lugo
 

I also wonder what you mean by Traditional English food.
I have lived here for over 20 years in the Ribeira Sacra. We have found something of the Galician cuisine to be similar to the British fare. For just two examples, we have roasted pork legs, we have a version of the British blood sausage. There are more but I think you get my drift. Most vegetables that are used in both kitchens can be purchased in the likes of Gadis.
If you feel so inclined things like an English breakfast, Yorkshire Pudding, Toad in the hole and shepherds pie can all easily be made at home. The meat is of a much better quality here. Seasoning can be done to suit our own plate and dietary needs. I doubt if the wife and would head for an English restaurant, especially given the options found locally like a a tractional churrasco or pulperia.
The idea suggested by Lynn R about British deserts is one I could back. However, finding the right ingredients in this part of Spain maybe difficult. Things like the right flour, correct cream are impossible. We find the chocolate covered pastries here not up to the standards found in the UK. Pastries never seem to have enough butter and can be on the dry side.

I have no idea on just how many Brits live in this area. In the period we have been here we have seen a number arrive, and so many return home quite quickly. Galicia is not for every expat, no matter what the nationality. A web search can bring up several different figures on how many Brits in Galicia as a whole. But basically out of a population of around 2.7million it is said that approximately 2000 are said to have British nationality. To put this into comparison large city in the south; Málaga has around 47500 Brits.
These are just quick thoughts from someone who lives here and knows this area.

Re: British Menu in Galicia, Lugo
 

I forgot about shepherds pie.. :)

Sorry, it is Irish or Scottish...

Re: British Menu in Galicia, Lugo
 

What Spainrico said makes sense; Camino walkers.
They're an international lot, including Brits obviously. A good English breakfast would set them up wonderfully for the day.
Meat is not necessarily of a better quality either. It's cut differently to British butchering, the seam method rather than cutting across the bone for oven joints.
A good British butcher is as good as the ones here. There's no difference in taste according to breed as many think, but it's the amount of time a carcass is hung that imparts better flavour.

Galicia is well known for 'empanadas' so you might not sell so many British 'pasties'.
For some weird reason, people here seem to love cup cakes.

Re: British Menu in Galicia, Lugo
 

Crumpets! With optional toppings.

​​​​​​⠀‹Or Marmite!

Re: British Menu in Galicia, Lugo
 

I was thinking of Camino walkers too, maybe venture onto some of the Camino forums, like https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/ or some of the communities on facebk. If you can get in with some of the tour guides now there could e some good business there as the Galician part of the Camino in summer now resembles Brighton prom on a sunny bank holiday numbers-wise!

Re: British Menu in Galicia, Lugo
 

Maybe that would the customer to show proof of nationality and anyone passing the test should be taken to a corner table in an alcove so as not to scare the locals unduly. :eek:

Likewise vinegar on chips.

Re: British Menu in Galicia, Lugo
 

Cornish rarebit.

Bubble and squeak.