Casa Pascualillo, Zaragoza .... our last night in Aragon region

The regional food of Aragon was present all over Zaragoza. It was our last night before heading deep into the Basque country, so we were after some traditional fare. We head out in search of Casa Pascualillo. We stop by the bar firstly ... as we are way to early to sit down and eat - it's only 8pm.



We get 2 glasses of white wine and the house specialty of fried young garlic shoots.



We can see the one large kitchen that runs the back length of both the bar and restaurant are shared. The chef's definitely getting ready for the evening's meal service, but not appearing rushed or stressed. A condensed menu is offered at the bar, so Miga's are soon on the cards. Miga's are a dish of breadcrumbs, humble yet oh-so-satisfying. Traditionally eaten at breakfast using leftover bread, they have now turned into a gourmet addition to menu's no matter what time of day. The crumbs are fried in olive oil, seasoned generously with salt with sliced of fried chorizo and a soft cooked egg. We expected the crumbs to be crunchy, but they are disappointingly soft and kind of boring ..... A fantastic idea, although in these circumstance at least, executed badly.



There's a small door at the rear of the bar, and right on 9pm it's opened up and people start spilling over from the bar. We make our way over. Once we are seated, again getting a servers attention seemed to be quite difficult. As soon as we get someone's attention, a bottle of red was ordered along with the evenings food. First up, Habitas saltedas con jamon y virtuas de foie de canard. Baby broad beans with jamon & foie gras. A nice light starter ......



For the main event, we cannot resist an Aragon classic - Paletilla de Ternasco asado con patatas, roast suckling lamb with roast potatoes. The lamb is covered in a crackling crust, tender juicy meat caged inside. Simply served with home style roast potatoes and a light sauce of the cooking juices.



A plate of Parillada de huerta, or mix char grilled vegetables, is the perfect accompaniment. Thick slices of eggplant, zucchini, potato, aparagus, peppers & onions are grilled with a splash of herb oil.



Aragon is quite famous for the peaches it produces, coming from the fertile lower valleys of the region. When we spot a dessert simply peaches, ice-cream & red wine, we can't resist.



Farewell Aragon ... see you next time around !!

Casa Pascualillo
Calle Libertad 5 - 7
50003 Zaragoza
T: 976 397 203

Los Victorinos

Los Victorinos is one of the most highly recommended tapas bars in Zaragoza. In the time it took to take a two minute walk around the block and back down the tiny lane way hiding this gem, waiting for it to open it opened and was half full with locals.



The heads of several bulls look down from the walls little brass plaques listing their names, fighters under each.



Every tapas looked delicious so we just picked the first four that were on the bar in front of us. These were whipped away and quickly heated before being presented for our appreciation.
Jamon with morels and foie is sweet and earthy.



Goats cheese slowly melted over more jamon with a sweet pepper relish.



Two types of cheese melted over pork crackling. Wtf ?? Seriously. Just too awesome.



A croquette? of mushrooms with foie.



After the success of our first choices we had to try another couple.
We return for another morel and foie combo.



As well as two types of porky goodness with a fried quails egg.



The whole bar was so much win we could have easily stayed the whole night through but there was so much of Zaragoza to see and such little time ...

Los Victorinos
Calle de José de la Hera, 6
Zaragoza

La Cueva en Aragon and the single tapa ...

I've started to write and deleted this post a dozen times. Each time I couldn't express how amazed with La Cueva en Aragon. So here it is simple and to the point just like La Cueva. Tiny bar, one chef, one tapa. A hot plate full of grilled champigons, splashed with a garlicky herb oil. One order gets you four mushrooms and a single baby shrimp skewered a top slice of fresh baguette to catch the juices and oil. If you want something else you can have a beer with your order. The freshest products cooked simply are always a winner with us. We weren't the only one's who thought so, understandably La Cueva was packed to the doors every night and after the first night we were there every night as well.







The aftermath of a busy night.


La Cueva en Aragon
Calle Libertad, 16
Zaragoza, Spain 50003

Taberna Doña Casta, Zaragoza

€15 each and we were transported to another dimensi..., er I mean region of Spain. We took the bus from Barcelona Nord bus station to Zaragoza. The trip in total took just on 4 hours, which of course included a little road side stop for snacks and drinks along the way. We both had a bacon & roasted green chili bocadillo from the said road side stop that was cheap yet truly delicious.

We are both exhausted from the trip, so once we arrive to this beautiful Northern region of Spain, the first thing on the cards is siesta. We wake around 6pm and are ready for food. The kind young gentleman at our guesthouse starts talking to us ... nothing opens until 9pm to eat? What?? nothing? We head out to investigate.

We make it to the centre of town, turn the corner into the main square, and both gasp in awe. The sky is an electric blue, the sun slowly disappearing, and the San Pablo church is aglow.



We just gaze at this monstrous & beautiful structure before us, and before we know it 8pm has struck. We head off in search of food. Things are just starting to open up, lucky if you could find somewhere just to have a drink. We spot a little Taberna which has just opened it's doors. Within minutes the place is full. We squeeze on it, the counter full of tapas and people drinking, talking, lauging & eating.



There are sets scribbled all over the wall in chalk, involving bottles of wine and varieties of food. We take the 6 tapas with a bottle of Red Wine for €26 option. It's just a point or nod at the 6 things we would like from the counter. A few croquettas, some random deep fried things and some grilled bread with toppings.



Value for money local wine & tasty food combo. We're off to a good start in Zaragoza.

Taberna Doña Casta
Calle Estébanes, 6
(El Tubo)
Zaragoza, 50003 Spain