Taberna de Jam, Grenada Spain - and again ...

It was hard to stay away ... Firstly because it was just across the street from our hotel, secondly because the food really was that good. It was a great place to start the evening off, we could gather together over a few drinks, a few tapas, and set out for the rest of the evening. They have an impressive jamón menu, with majority of the listing perched up on the counter. The top rating jamón was the Joselito. The Joselito is an acorn fed Iberico ham. The meat is a rosy pink, with streaks of fat marbled through each piece. Watching the meat sliced from the leg with a long knife, we are very impressed by the skill, and also the care taken. As a small piece is sliced off, it is draped on the plate, with the next slice laying directly beside it. It's as if the leg is coming back to life on the plate, with each piece carefully put together like a puzzle.



It's smooth and delicate, and almost sweet to begin. It's then you get a hit of salt and the creaminess of fat, which really elevates this jamón experience to another level.

Bite-sized little toasts topped with pate & apple puree arrive next. These little morsels pack a load of flavour all in one bite.



The same apple puree appears on our next dish, but merely adds a sweetness to the dish, and it does not feel at all like we are eating the same component. Toasted bread, apple puree, a blood sausage and raisin mix with a fresh herb oil. A little bit messy to eat, but very tasty.



We are discussing the rest of the evenings plans, over a few drinks, with good food & great company. One last little steak sandwich on toasted bread with baby leaves before we head out into the night ....




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Bella y la Bestia Cafe & Tapas Bar, Grenada Spain

It was a particularly festive time when we were in Grenada. We were wandering around on a Saturday morning, and must have passed at least 4 different groups of girls on what definitely appeared to be a Hen's outing, starting quite early in the morning. We turn a corner, and there are people spilling out onto the streets, streamers, loud voices, and a whole lot of commotion inside. We brave the crowds through the door and manage to perch ourselves at the bar that runs the length of the room.



Behind there bar there are a few bar tenders at one end, and a tiny little kitchen set up at the other (where we managed to perch) with one lady just banging out tapas like a machine. With each drink ordered a yell comes from the bar to the lady in the kitchen, stating how many people, and what tapas plate they are up to. We constantly hear calls, with numbers flying everywhere, and it makes us dizzy. The lady on the pans though is not in the least bit fussed, putting up plates and shouting for runners. Each plate is completely different, all with some form of sandwich or roll usually, with different salads, condiments & breads.



We order 2 beers, and our first complimenting tapas plate is a small bagel brushed with oil and grilled, and filled with a generous amount of sliced jamón with chopped parsley on top. There is then a mountain of pasta salad with a Mary Rose dressing and crispy fried chips with mayo & ketchup.

This little tapa was a meal in itself.. And we later find out that the Bella y la Bestia Cafe & Tapas bar has a few other outlets under their wing, including an incredible looking fish restaurant & bar. Oh well, next time we are in Grenada ...



C/Carcel Baja 14, Grenada, Spain


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Whitebait and Beer for Breakfast, Fogon de Galicia, Grenada Spain

The tapas start early in Grenada. Well, early enough when you wake up at 10:30am ;) It's our first morning, and we initially venture out with a coffee and pastry in mind to start the day. We didn't have much luck finding anything of the sort .... We did notice a bunch of people drinking beer and eating a range of fried seafood delights at Fogon de Galacia while we were wandering around though. We end up tracing back down the little alley way, very pleased to start our day with 2 little Caña, or small sized beer and a plate of crispy fried whitebait with fresh lemon.

Taberna de Jam, Grenada Spain - our first taste ...

After almost 2 weeks in Morocco, we found ourself back in Spain. We flew into Madrid and then took a bus ride several hours through the hills of olive trees and arrived in Grenada. It was warm, we were tired & hungry. We drop our bags at the wonderful Carlos V hotel, which was a recommendation from Io & H, and take a shower. All refreshed, we venture outside to see what's on offer. We step out of the hotel and there is a small park lined with orange trees, all blossoming. We both stop and take in the incredible smell ........ Then like a gleaming light in the not-so-distance we see Taberna de Jam. It's already bustling with people so we head on over.



Now we had heard about Grenada being one of the few places that still offer a free tapa with every drink purchase, but for our first taste of this was pleasantly surprised. We ordered 2 of the Andalucian Tinto de Verano which are a refreshing mix of red wine and a sparkling lemon soda. The accompanying complimentary tapa is a little sandwich, on a little olive oil bread with slices of Jamón and a handful of potato crisps.



We then order a few little dishes from the menu, the first up, an Andalucian cold soup, salmorejo. It is thick & rich, with boiled egg & Jamón and a slice of toasted bread.



Then is a little brioche bun, with sliced Jamón, fried potatoes and a little quails egg. If I could have that sort of brioche bun each day for breakfast I would be one happy girl .... well, anytime of day in-fact.



Well, it was time to move on and discover some more of this little town, but we were very happy to have this as our local.




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Bodega Santa Cruz, Sevilla

Ah, Sevilla ... Wandering the streets the scent of orange blossom fills the air. We spot hordes of people moving around the streets with these little striped cushions wandering where they are going, or where they have been. A little investigation reveals the annual Bull Fighting festivities have just begun. As I am sure the streets of Sevilla are generally buzzing year round, there is just something magical about being there at this time ....

It's mid morning and after starting the day with a coffee and pastry, we are certainly ready for our next snack. We turn a corner and see people spilling out into the street, a drink in one hand, a small plate in the other. We find an entrance, the place is packed ... just as we make our way up to the counter, a small space clears allowing us to perch there.



We point at a few things on the bar which are handed to us along with our beer. Green olives, the marinade showing it's Moorish influence as we've moved south, full of paprika, cumin and even a little preserved lemon. Fried squid sitting on a little shredded lettuce with some baby bread sticks and a tortilla sandwich - 2 wedges of potato tortilla are sandwiching a tuna and mayonnaise mix again with the little bread sticks on the side.



Bocadillo's, or little sandwiches, are making their way under the grill as fast as they can be toasted and then handed out to an eager customer. We signal our interest, and within moments have one of these little round sandwiches in front of us. We're not even to sure what was inside, but there was meat, smoked paprika and lots of butter.



After wandering through the city for a few hours we have again built up an appetite. Nothing tickles our fancy enough that we have stumbled across, so we make our way back across town to Las Columnas. (Despite Bodega Santa Cruz being painted on the walls, It's known by the locals as Las Coumnas. I figure 2 visits in one day we are entitled to call it by the latter). We are lucky enough to perch ourselves at the bar this time, our server recognizing us straight away. 2 damn lemon are placed in front of us along with some boquerones fritos. Fired baby anchovies, eaten whole, in a light crumb crust with the little bread sticks.



Potatoes aioli are simply boiled potatoes coated in a pungent garlic aioli. A little chopped fresh parsley adds some life.



Champignon con jamon arrive in a little terra cotta dish. The smell is intoxicating, the combination of the earthy mushrooms, the smokey jamon, good olive oil and a touch of garlic. Crusty baguette is perfect for mopping up all of the flavored olive oil.



The last, slightly sweet, dish of the day was fired aubergine with honey. Crispy discs of eggplant are coated in a light crumb and fried to a golden crisp. A light drizzle of honey and a sprinkling of salt is a harmonious balance of sweet and salty.



Now, back into the crowds to enjoy this beautiful city ....



Bodega Santa Cruz
(aka Las Columnas)
c/ Rodrigo Caro 1
Sevilla, Andalucia, Spain