Other side of the coin.
#76
Re: Other side of the coin.
A lot of Brits I speak to consider Spanish food as far too bland.
Probably still a lot of catching up to do after the long period of austerity under Franco.
Personally I consider both Latin American and Portugese food and cooking to be far tastier and superior in every way to typical Spanish dross.
Unlike in the UK, once outside the Spanish big cities and towns the choice tends to be very limited with mostly only basic menus on offer even then at limited hours.
Compare that to the huge variety of international cuisine easily available in most places throughout the UK.
No contest really.
Probably still a lot of catching up to do after the long period of austerity under Franco.
Personally I consider both Latin American and Portugese food and cooking to be far tastier and superior in every way to typical Spanish dross.
Unlike in the UK, once outside the Spanish big cities and towns the choice tends to be very limited with mostly only basic menus on offer even then at limited hours.
Compare that to the huge variety of international cuisine easily available in most places throughout the UK.
No contest really.
#78
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,368
Re: Other side of the coin.
Unlike in the UK, once outside the Spanish big cities and towns the choice tends to be very limited with mostly only basic menus on offer even then at limited hours.
Compare that to the huge variety of international cuisine easily available in most places throughout the UK.
No contest really.
#79
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Re: Other side of the coin.
I have just posted on a spanish/british food thread
Anyway....I don't find the menus in Spain very interesting. Loads of pork dishes, basic chicken, steak etc. never change their menus for years. The 3 course menu del día would hardly make one course for quantity!
Anyway....I don't find the menus in Spain very interesting. Loads of pork dishes, basic chicken, steak etc. never change their menus for years. The 3 course menu del día would hardly make one course for quantity!
#81
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Re: Other side of the coin.
And don't expect any decent veg with it, if you do get any it'll be cooked to death.
#82
Re: Other side of the coin.
However there are lots of good stews and menestras that turn the vegetables into a meal.
#86
Re: Other side of the coin.
Hardly ever see the Spanish without chips on their plates these days, especially with their menus del dia.
#87
Re: Other side of the coin.
A mix of working and middle class people
I agree with her btw, British food and cooking is all marketing and little substance. It is fashionable but the knowledge and tradition behind the cooking has been lost. Cooking in the home is generally terrible although of course there are exceptions
British people have been brainwashed by the PR department of people like Oliver, Ramsey, Stein and co.
For example, in Benalmadena Pueblo there are 2 or 3 restaurants that pretend to be Spanish (tourists will think they are Spanish, I even did when I first arrived) but run by British people. The food has been changed so much from its origins that they have destroyed the very essence of the food e.g. frying embutido de chorizo or putting gravy on morcilla This shows a huge enthusiasm for food but a lack of fundamental knowledge
I agree with her btw, British food and cooking is all marketing and little substance. It is fashionable but the knowledge and tradition behind the cooking has been lost. Cooking in the home is generally terrible although of course there are exceptions
British people have been brainwashed by the PR department of people like Oliver, Ramsey, Stein and co.
For example, in Benalmadena Pueblo there are 2 or 3 restaurants that pretend to be Spanish (tourists will think they are Spanish, I even did when I first arrived) but run by British people. The food has been changed so much from its origins that they have destroyed the very essence of the food e.g. frying embutido de chorizo or putting gravy on morcilla This shows a huge enthusiasm for food but a lack of fundamental knowledge
Lets be honest, Spanish food is OK, but its nothing really special, certainly in the typical eateries you see and some tapas is...not good.
Your nonsense does amuse me though poppet, your a bit like a very young Colonel Blimp in your attitudes
#88
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Joined: Apr 2009
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Re: Other side of the coin.
Probably why I've never seen any English people at the places I eat at. They prefer to stick to the typical tourist fair, which I agree, is dire
And English restaurants I guess have improved over the past 20 years ago (I'm too young to know), but people continue to eat cr*p at home. Otherwise the freezer sections and ready meal departments in UK supermarkets wouldnt be so huge - and you guys here wouldnt be talking about Iceland all the time. Kind of contradictory isnt it - Iceland and good food? Even middle class British people know that only chavs shop there
#89
Re: Other side of the coin.
You obviously go to the wrong establishments DD
Probably why I've never seen any English people at the places I eat at. They prefer to stick to the typical tourist fair, which I agree, is dire
And English restaurants I guess have improved over the past 20 years ago (I'm too young to know), but people continue to eat cr*p at home. Otherwise the freezer sections and ready meal departments in UK supermarkets wouldnt be so huge - and you guys here wouldnt be talking about Iceland all the time. Kind of contradictory isnt it - Iceland and good food? Even middle class British people know that only chavs shop there
Probably why I've never seen any English people at the places I eat at. They prefer to stick to the typical tourist fair, which I agree, is dire
And English restaurants I guess have improved over the past 20 years ago (I'm too young to know), but people continue to eat cr*p at home. Otherwise the freezer sections and ready meal departments in UK supermarkets wouldnt be so huge - and you guys here wouldnt be talking about Iceland all the time. Kind of contradictory isnt it - Iceland and good food? Even middle class British people know that only chavs shop there
In any event I doubt if the masses can afford to eat regularly in expensive up market places these days.
Sorry if it causes you a touch of embarrassment, but fact nevertheless.
#90
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Re: Other side of the coin.
btw, I read last year in a study in El Pais that 70% of all visitors to McDs in Spain are tourists. And that Spaniards visit fast food places ten times less frequently than a Brit - and 20 times less than an American
I'll dig out the report when I have time if you like, although it is in Spanish so you will struggle
The fact is that Spain has a rich and varied culinary tradition that runs deep through society. Its just a shame that mass tourism came and painted a very different picture to the outside world. For example, out of the 1000s of eateries in Fuenglirola, 99% of them are absolute tripe. Spaniards are as much to blame for that, for not having the confidence that they could market good Spanish food to tourists
Last edited by cricketman; Aug 1st 2012 at 6:09 pm.