Horns of a Dilemma

Matadero Cultural Complex

Plaza Mayor the Center of Madrid

Peeled Tomatoes Olive Oil and Salt

Pistou unbelievably wonderful

Dessert made from Cream of Porcini Mushrooms

 

Proper Gin Martini with Steak

We started the day going to Maradoro.It is a huge and I mean huge cultural center. It is a repurpose of the old slaughterhouses that prepared meat for Madrid.
 
It is a gigantic complex that houses all kinds of cultural events: Movie, Operas, art installations, etc. It is made of beautiful brick buildings that I am sure are over 100 years old.
 
On a previous visit to Madrid, we had visited Matadero and wanted to return to see what was currently on exhibit. The had a virtual reality exhibit on the destruction of Pompei by the eruption of Mt. Edna. The whole virtual reality thing to us seemed hokey but we decided what the hell, lets do it. I am very glad we did.
 
There were three different types of virtual reality exhibits. In the first you were seated randomly on cushions and the walls and ceiling appeared to move as images were projected on all sides of you. There was accompanying sound and you felt like you were in Pompei as the damn mountain blew its top. It was disconcerting as you were transported through the city. We had experienced other virtual reality films like this, and it was definitely superior.
 
We then entered another room where we were seated on chairs that could swivel 360 degrees. Gogles were placed on our heads and we were transported into the coliseum to see gladiators fight. You could turn your chair and look up or down and the reality was amazing.
 
The third experience was the most amazing. We went into a room and a headset was placed on us. We then walk around going through a Pompei house. Everything was virtual. When I looked at Cathy all I could see was not her head but a roman statures face. We held hand and walked, as you approached a door or a wall you didn’t know if you could walk through it or it was real. It was totally unnerving.
 
I expect that the new Apple Virtual Headsets will not be successful (but I won’t sell pf our Apple stock) but now I feel I know what they are trying to achieve. It truly was amazing.
 
After our virtual reality we to Plaza Mayor the Virtual heart of Madrid. This large Plaza to us was a crummy tourist spot. Even the famous food court now served mainly fast take out food to the tourists. We quickly returned to our hotel. 
 
At cocktail hour, I ordered my usual Martini, but decided to watch its construction. Unbelievable after all our sessions he started to make it with Vodka. When I pointed out his error, he apologized and made me a proper one with Gin and very little Vermouth. We had some left-over exceptional steak and we used it as an appetizer.
 
We ordered some wine to take to our room and called Barbara, things are well in San Francisco.
 
From the hotel we then walked to Angelita. The wait staff all wear the most amazing leather aprons and I really want to buy one, but unfortunately they don't sell them! This is MUST restaurant if you are in Madrid. They are super serious about both wine and food. It is also a very casual restaurant with no pretense. Among our favorites was Tomatoes, peeled and salted with olive oil. So simple and so perfect. The absolute best Pistou we have ever tasted was a delicious course. We loved it. If only we could make it at home. For dessert we had an amazing concoction made with cream of porcini! We only ordered it because we couldn’t conceive of a dessert made with porcini mushrooms.
 
We then walked back to our hotel. How wonderful it is to just step out from where we are staying and have such amazing adventures.
 
What is the Dilemma? Do we cancel one of our dinner reservations to return to one of these wonderful restaurants for another visit, or continue on with our existing plans?