Fat Dragon

kumpao shrimp
Originally uploaded by EatingVideo

My wife and I were actually the first lunch guests at Fat Dragon (Jan 2013) on Boulevard the day they opened for lunch. The staff were obviously ready for us and the rest of the crowd that followed. The menu has changed considerably since then
The lunch menu at that time was limited as compared to the dinner menu or the current menu on the site. we went with some crispy spring rolls



The rolls were crispy served with a chilli mustard sauce, Tasted great.
My wife also had a wonton soup with her order.



A terrible picture but a good appetizer.
I had the Kumpao shrimp which was spicy accompanied by Kimchi wich was flavorful but not terribly spicy.


We had a very nice lunch and enjoyed the ambiance and service.

Waffles for dinner

steaming
Originally uploaded by EatingVideo

The kids and I decided to have waffles for dinner as their mom was going out with friends.
We did do the traditional chocolate chip waffle with chips inside and out



But we also mixed in some savory, such as the pizza waffle with cheese in and on top



Then the boy had a combo chocolate chip and bacon waffle, (not pictured as he ate it too fast)
and I had the sauteed onion and bacon waffle with KimKim Sauce all over it



Fun easy meal, just takes a little imagination to come up with combos

Red and black bean chili

Red and black bean chili
Originally uploaded by EatingVideo

One large batch of red bean chili and one small batch of black bean chili. Both the same base of onion, celery, garlic, tomato paste, sauce and whole tomato. Tons of chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper. Nice for a rainy cold night.

Amuse Lunch and some Chihuly

glass instalation
Originally uploaded by EatingVideo

I went to lunch with a friend at Amuse after many years of talking about it. It just happens that the Chihuly exhibit is currently ongoing. My wife is a huge Chihuly fan and we went to the Q+A with him and then toured the exhibit the next day, prior to my lunch. The exhibit is excellent with mind boggling pieces of glass.





I had a drink on our first night as my wife toured the shop. I think it was described as a smoky gin drink, it was very tasty, and matched the colors of the glass below the restaurant.



For lunch my friend ordered the pork buns (no pic) and the braised squid



He enjoyed them both and renamed the pork buns as the evil pork buns as to their addictiveness

I had the sprout salad (not pictured) and the quail



both were very good, with a slight spicyness, certainly not overwhelming.
We had a terrific lunch with good service, we had arrived without reservations to what looked like a full service, yet were seated immediatlly.
Go see Chihuly, and get some food while you are at it.

O´Caldiño

almejas a la plancha
Originally uploaded by EatingVideo

One of the most frequented restaurants we go to when in Madrid is O´Caldiño. It is a galician styled restaurant, where tapas are truly based on what you drink and eat, as well as your repeat business. The boy and I went back maybe three times in the week we where in Madrid.



and we ate like kings. Above sauteed clams.
below on the house croquetas and meatballs



Gambas a la plancha



caldo gallego







stewed muscles



Ensaladilla rusa and pintxos (on the house)



and my favorite pulpo a la gallega (octopus)



If you are in the neighborhood would stop in.

with bread

Mercado de San Miguel, Madrid

blurry san miguel
Originally uploaded by EatingVideo

The Market (Mercado) of San Miguel in Madrid is a redone market with tremendous vendors, ham, cheese, fish, meat, wine, beer. Anything and everything to stock your larder or eat out.

The last time we went we scored a variety of foods. Of course ham, Iberico de bellota



We had some oysters, that were the brineiest I've ever tasted



You can almost imagine the salt on these



We had some paella rice (all of this shared between 3)



and some pork rinds (chicharron)



We love this market and hit it every time we are in Madrid. Fun place with great food.

Cocido Madrileño

cocido madrileno
Originally uploaded by EatingVideo

I took the boy to Spain to spend some time speaking spanish. While in Madrid we decided to have some proper cocido. This is a dish that is all cooked in the same pot, but the ingredients are then served in sequence.
It starts with the cooking liquid, with small noodles, pretty much an awesome noodle soup. Served in a large soup dish, and accompanied by a selection of pickled peppers and olives.



The amount of soup could easily have been an entire meal, actually that is true of every portion of this meal. (we ordered for two!)



I ate two bowls of soup before the next plate arrived, the garbanzo beans with potato, carrot and cabbage



Everything was perfectly cooked. We remarked that the potato in particular was spectacular. Very flavorful and perfectly cooked. I think it is easy to throw everything in a pot but the skill is to have each ingredient cooked appropriately not under or overcooked.
Soon after the garbanzos the meats arrived.



Chicken, pork, morcilla, bone marrow, beef shank all super tender and delicous, and bountiful.
I was about to blow up satisfied and starting to bust into the meat sweats, yet the boy ordered dessert.



A lemon sorbet.

A great meal, good service.

Taberna de Buenaventura
Calle de Hermosilla, 69, 28001 Madrid, Spain