Menú del Día: Great food at a budget price

Posted on November 7, 2012 by Marianne under Axarquía, Laws and Customs, Slice of Life

For much less than the cost of an evening dinner, most restaurants in La Axarquía have a cheap, fixed-price meal available at lunchtime only.

Because the normal Spanish working day has a 3 hour break in the middle, many Spanish workers take advantage of this time (often referred to as a siesta) by catching up with friends or colleagues over lunch.

Why eat a sandwich at your desk when you can enjoy a leisurely lunch with friends?

Known as “Menu del Día“, you can usually enjoy a two or three course meal, including bread and your first drink, for around 8 – 10 euros. It´s usually a set menu, though there is often a choice of three or four dishes for each course.

A typical menu might include soup or salad to start, followed by fish or pork with flan or coffee to finish. Bread, plus your choice of first drink (beer, wine or water) are usually included in the price.

Look out for a board outside the restaurant, advertising the Menu del Día, which will usually be written in Spanish, and always remember to look out for restaurants and bars frequented by locals rather than tourists.

My choice in Torrox Costa:

** Ferrara Asador on the N340, near to the Repsol garage. At only €8 with great service, good choice and quality of food, it´s well worth a visit, but go before 2.00pm as it gets very busy, especially in August.

** Fancy something a bit different ? Try the Jing Chinese restaurant on the Paseo Maritimo along Ferrara Beach. Their menu del día is even cheaper at €6, but drinks cost extra. Again, excellent food and service.

Where´s your favourite place to eat, east of Málaga?

Love food? You might like to drool over these posts:

Slice of Life: Spanish bars

Let´s talk about tapas!

Fresh Figs Stuffed with Goat´s Cheese and wrapped in Smoked Bacon

East of Málaga: So near, yet so far away

Posted on September 9, 2012 by Marianne under Photo challenges

Here´s my response to the Weekly Photo Challenge: Near and Far.

I climbed up the nearest hill to where I live in the countryside between the villages of Torrox and Cómpeta, to capture the cactus in the foreground leading the eye towards the whitewashed house and the distant peaks of the Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama Mountains.

Whilst you´re here, why not have a look at:

Following in the footsteps around Comares

In Plane View: Inside Out

Capture the Colour: Red, Green, Blue, Yellow and White

Back to the Future: An Evening at the Medieval Market

Posted on July 24, 2012 by Marianne under Axarquía, Fiestas and Festivals, Laws and Customs, Places, Slice of Life

During the past weekend, a Medieval-themed market took over the main square of the white village of Torrox in the heart of the Axarquía region. Organized by the Ayuntamiento (town hall), there was lots of medieval bunting to transport you back to the 15th century, with suitably dressed character actors to set the mood.

There were various stalls selling crafts, jewellery, cheeses, traditional craftwork in metal and wood, as well as lots of food.

Huge wooden chess tables had been set up for anyone to enjoy a game of chess in the evening sunshine.

The most popular attraction was in one corner of the square where there was a roped-off area with many different birds of prey on display. Their handler gave a demonstration of the birds´ hunting prowess, which thrilled and delighted the crowd, especially the many children. The birds appeared to be well cared for and made an impressive sight sitting on their perches, patiently waiting their turn to swoop over the gathered crowd.

All of the bars and restaurants in Plaza de la Constitución had their outdoor seating areas overflowing with people all eating, drinking and enjoying this year´s Medieval Fiesta!

I have merged my responses to this week´s Photo Challenges: Travel Theme: Tradition as well as the Weekly Image of Life: Colours.

Whilst you´re here, why not have a look at:

All at sea with the Virgen del Carmen

Photographs I love …. and why!

Flowering snapshot of a January day around the garden

Live webcams around La Axarquía

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Marianne under Places

It´s always great to have an up-to-the-minute view of what´s happening here, east of Málaga.

Just click on the link to view…..

Lake Viñuela

Torrox

Nerja – Capistrano

Nerja – Burriana Beach

Do you know of any other webcams that readers can link to? Please share them in the comments section….thanks!

A Celebration of Fried Breadcrumbs: The 30th Annual Migas Festival

Posted on December 18, 2011 by Marianne under Axarquía, Fiestas and Festivals, Laws and Customs

You might not expect ingredients for the perfect Christmas party to include 2000 kilos of flour, 500 litres of olive oil and 3000 litres of sweet Moscatel wine, but that´s exactly what´s required to cater for the 40,000 guests who visit the Migas Festival in the village of Torrox.

Many towns and cities throughout the world have unique dishes that encompass their overall culture and tradition. Migas is a traditional Andalucían peasant dish often made from breadcrumbs, although in Torrox the migas are made with flour. Normally served as an accompaniment to a main dish, of fried fish for instance, migas comprises of fried bread crumbs liberally laced with garlic, and may also contain small pieces of chorizo, ham or peppers.

Each year, on the last Sunday before Christmas, this gastronomic festival which has been declared of “National Tourist Interest” by the Junta de Andalucía, will serve more than 40,000 visitors.

From early in the morning, teams of cooks prepare the migas for free distribution to local residents and visitors to the festival. The ringing of a bell is the signal for everyone to come and collect their plate of migas, which is served with a glass of local wine and an “arriera” salad (made with oranges, tomatoes, potatoes, onions and olives) to accompany the meal.

There is plenty to do during a day at the Migas festival because as well as free food and drink there are many craft stalls, traders selling fine cheeses, chorizo, cakes, nuts and sweets, the opportunity to enjoy guided walks through the village, and street artists, as well as choirs and local dance groups, who all help to create a wonderful festive atmosphere.

Of course, in true Spanish tradition, this is just another excuse for a party, but on a warm, sunny December day, why would you not pursue that with some vigor?