A Walk in the Park on Cathy's Birthday

Monument to Alfonso XII in Retiro Park

Crystal Palace

Q: What's the collective noun for a bunch of Turtles
A: Bale of Turtles

Peacock Alert

Porcini Mushrooms

Fabulous Charred Piquillo Peppers

The best Birthday Cheesecake!

It was Cathy’s 75^th birthday! She decided she wanted to spend it in Retiro Park. The park is enormous with many monuments, lakes fountains, etc. We knew we wanted to find the Crystal Palace (similar to the one in London and San Francisco). There were all kinds of birds, Turtles, fish etc. We simply wondered aimlessly and every so often sat on a shaded bench and just enjoyed the day in the park.

 

We eventually returned to our hotel. I told Cathy I wanted to go for a walk but had an alternative plan. I walked to the restaurant we were going to (Roostiq) and informed them it was Cathy’s 75^th birthday we were celebrating and requested they surprise her with Champagne when we arrived.

 

I returned to our hotel, and we had drinks. Surprisingly a fourth bartender was manning the bar and he created a decent martini, I am happy to report. After FaceTiming Barbara, we walked up to Restaurant Roostiq. The Champagne arrived as requested. The food was once again fabulous, but we felt rushed. Perhaps it was because we had an 8pm reservation and they wanted to turn the table for the 10pm crowd. It is probably wise in Spain to always request 10pm reservations for dinner!

 

We had two new dishes tonight that were both exceptional: Charred Piquillo Peppers and Secreto iberico (an incredibly well seasoned and cooked pork). I am sure we will never be able to get that cut of meat in LA. As to the Charred Piquillo Peppers, perhaps we can start with bottled Piquillo peppers and see if we can replicate the recipe. We finished with what is the best Cheesecake ever enhanced by a birthday candle. We walked back to our hotel having celebrated a major birthday in appropriate style. I am still amazed at going out to eat at so many different restaurants all within walking distance of our hotel. If I haven't previously mentioned it, in Madrid we stay at The Principal Hotel, located in the Cheuca neighborhood of Madrid. We need to thank Jaimie for the recommendation.