Archive for the 'Madrid' Category

The Astronomer and I arrived at Cacao Sampaka planning to grab something quick and sweet for the merienda and then continue on with the rest of our day. Instead, we stayed for two hours luxuriating over divine chocolates and shopping for edible presents for our friends and families back home. We couldn’t pull ourselves away from this extraordinarily special shop.

Owned by Albert Adrià, former El Bulli pastry chef and brother of Ferran, Cacao Sampaka offers a full-on haute chocolate experience. One part cafe and another market, the store is a delight for the senses. I loved how unusual flavors like anchovy and hazelnut, black olive, and Modena vinegar shared shelf space with more traditional milk and dark chocolates. I also loved how white chocolate, which is oftentimes disregarded by cacao connoisseurs, was given the gourmet treatment.

Since it’s not wise to shop on an empty stomach, The Astronomer and I grabbed a table at the cafe. We began with two chocolates each—I chose the Parmasean cheese and black forest truffle varieties, while he went with thyme and cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Each piece of chocolate was boldly and distinctly flavored; there was no question that the quality was impeccable and the ingredients were top-notch.

My black forest truffle, which came from the “Gastronomic Innovations” collection, worked surprisingly well. The deep, earthy flavor of the truffle melded ideally with the dark chocolate. However, the same could not be said about the Parmesan cheese creation. It was weird, and not in a good way. The Astronomer didn’t endure any flops; both chocolates were exactly to his liking.

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Every afternoon between the hours of three and seven o’clock, the residents of Madrid take a break from the grind, descend upon cafes and pastry shops, and indulge in a sweet, midday pick-me-up. Of all the fabulous Spanish customs that  The Astronomer and I adopted during our stay (e.g. midnight dinners, wine-filled meals, and post-lunch naps), the merienda is the one I miss the most.

On our first afternoon in the capital city, The Astronomer and I sought out hot chocolate and churros at Madrid’s most well-known chocolatería—San Ginés. Established in 1894, San Ginés is located in a small passageway, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the Puerta del Sol. In spite of its less than prominent location, a mixed crowd of locals and tourists find their way here every hour of the day. In fact, the shop is open daily from 9 AM to 6 AM. I think it’s the intoxicating blend of hot oil, fried dough, and melted chocolate that lures everyone in.

The Astronomer and I each ordered a mug of the chocolaty stuff, along with  a plate of churros to share. We grabbed a table outside and within fifteen minutes, our loot arrived. The bittersweet brew was just as I had hoped—dark, warm, thick, and dreamy to sip and dip.

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