Menu del dia.

In the days of old,  before the new super fast roads came,  the roads were narrow and windy and went from village to village,  not always the quickest of journeys but never very busy either.  Now the roads are straight and fast,  still not much traffic but  you have to make a deliberate effort to see the villages now,  no doubt that they are much quieter places but the local shops and restaurants must surely have noticed a difference.

One such village is Cherín,  there is a restaurant on the edge of the village that we have stopped at a few times in the past for menu del dia,  it was always very busy - not so busy that we've had to wait for a table, but the restaurant tables overflowed into the bar area last time we were there.  But since the new road has by passed the village we  haven't stopped.  Until today.  We were on our way back from Berja,  it was almost 2pm so lunchtime here,  John suggested we stop and see if they were still in business. 

Looking across to Cherín

Only a couple of cars plus one articulated lorry outside,  half a dozen people eating, so plenty of room for us.  One thing that hasn't changed is the menu,  not what you have as a choice but how you are told about it.  Nothing written down,  but rattled off at high speed by the waitress. 

First question,  do you want salad?  yes please.  Next question,  and to drink?  Water, wine or beer?  It doesn't matter which you order,  you get a litre of it and drink as much as you like.  So we had wine,  local rosado,  very nice.  First plate is either - and here we can only remember 3 dishes,  arroz (rice),  asparagus with garlic mayo and salad (for me)  and  bacalao (salt cod) with vegetables (for him).

Second plate is either pork chops (me),   steak (him),   salmonete (red mullet),   costilla (ribs) in sauce or a la plancha (grilled),   calamares (squid),   a fried fish platter,  or  an alpujarran platter which includes jamón, morcilla (like a black pudding) usually an egg and everything comes with chips.  Plus a large basket of fresh bread.

And if you've managed all that then there is pudding,  arroz con leche (rice pud to you and me but cold)  cheese cakes, chocolate tarts,  whisky tart,  tiramisu,  flan (creme caramel-ish)  and when you've finished that,   don't forget there is coffee.

The biggest surprise of all that though is when you ask for the bill.  10 euros each.  For 3 courses,  salad,  bread,  just about all you can drink,  and coffees. 

Needless to say we are not thinking of cooking tonight!