Culinary highlights

A great start to our Madrid culinary adventures was our very first breakfast of churros con chocolate at one of Madrid's oldest chocolateria houses.  Chocolateria San Gines has been serving locals and lucky tourists since 1894.  Their churros is freshly made and their thick (almost pudding like) hot chocolate is something to write home about. I could have easily devoured two servings of their churros were I not held back by the thought that gluttony is a sin!

After such a sweet start, we were happily surprised to find that where we were wasn't too far from the Museo del Jamon with their tempting Jambon Iberico.  We later found to our delight that this deliciously dry ham is also served for breakfast!

You'd think after such a breakfast, we wouldn't be hungry for awhile but in not so long a time, we soon found ourselves looking for a nice but quick lunch. There were sights to see after all! Casa Rua provided us the perfect pit stop. Bocadillo de calamares is their specialty and it is pretty good. Freshly fried squid rings in a bun may not sound that appetizing but it is delicious and filing.

And since we are in Spain, we just had to try their tapas....

Chorizo..

Gambas al ajillo

 And our favorite, a mixed platter of various hot tapas...

 All delicious and tasty!

Finally, we couldn't leave without having some Paella! Yummy!