Saint Michael's Feast

       In March of this year I took a trip to Madrid and on my birthday I got to choose the activity of the day. I could have chosen one of many amazing art galleries or museums, I could have chosen shopping or the opera but instead I chose the newly reinvigorated San Miguel Market. I think I made the right choice. While not the largest market I have ever strolled through there is a lot that makes this particular collection of stalls special.

     Aptly named for San Miguel or Saint Michael who appears in Islam, Christianity as well as Judaism as a triumphant Archangel this market made a triumphant return after staving off the effects of age, decay, fiscal ruin and abandonment. 

      After the renovations that began in 2003 this early 19th century market is home to over thirty vendors. Selling such scrumptious foodstuffs as fresh pastries, dried fruits, the freshest of seafood and cured meats. Wether you are looking to do your daily shopping or sit and bask in the ambiance to have a cup of coffee and nosh on something sweet this is my favorite spot in Madrid.   

     Besides the food the building itself is a marvel of early 20th century architecture, with a few modern twists.  Tasteful space heaters for the chill winters and micro rain for those punishing summers. Yes, that's right micro rain, the air inside this beautiful construction of iron and glass is infused with teeny tiny drops of H2O to keep feverish shoppers brows from becoming over heated, in the most environmentally friendly way of course.

     My one critique of this market is that it was just a bit too clean and polished. Unlike some of the bigger markets around town or even across europe, you don't get to see the carnage and butchery from behind the scenes. It's just that one more step removed from seeing where our food really comes from. But for some of us with weaker stomachs or just more sympathetic hearts this could also be construed as a plus. Definitely worth a visit if you ever find yourself in Madrid.

Polly's Favorite French Cafe

This is Polly:

This is Polly's goat cheese salad. really delicious:

This is my quiche(similarly delicious):

        Cafe Fleury is a fantastic cafe in Mitte only a block up from Rosenthaler Platz. It's self serve but he staff is pretty friendly and generally speaks english german as well as french. They serve the usual quiche, soup, salads you can get at any cafe in berlin that's worth it's salt but what makes Fleury so unique is it's particular french goods. Little tarts and of course madeleines, along with french lemonade and other delights are what make this cafe stand out over the other dozen or so cozy little places on the block. Also it's beautiful patio is perfect for sunny days spent people watching  and if it get's too full take your order  to go and head to the perfectly situated park on Weinbergsweg street.

No Oven?

        No oven? No problem. I love to bake and moving into an apartment with no oven was not ideal until I rediscovered pancakes. There are so many different kinds of pancakes, the word means something different to almost every different nationality. You can bake anything from the french crepe to the american silver dollar. Or as I've discovered, living on my own, the tower of pancake. Each cake is layered with either jam or lemon juice and powdered sugar. As this turns into one mini cake, I deem it totally acceptable to eat it all on your own and in one sitting.