Pssst'I'm going to let you in one of Spain's best kept secrets. You can enjoy a three course meal with wine for the price of a snack, if you know these magic words; Menu del Dia, which means simply Menu of the Day. Normally served between two and three in the afternoon by just about every restaurant in Spain, this afternoon delight is a great way to eat good food at a very reasonable price.
It all started during Franco's time as a way for workers to obtain a nutritious meal at an affordable price. Franco has gone, but thankfully Menu del Dia lives on, and is in fact as popular as ever, but you have to know about it to get it. Some restaurants advertise their Menu of the Day on a chalk board outside the establishment, whilst others will happily bring you the normal menu without mentioning the cheap option, especially if?how can I put this?you're not a local.
Of course the standard menu may have a list of dishes as long as your arm, whereas the fare on offer for Menu of the Day may only provide a choice of three or four dishes for each course, but there's usually something there to suit everyone. Let's get one thing straight here; the food is not inferior or in any way less nutritious than what's being offered from the main menu. The difference is the price, and I promise you, I've never walked away from a Menu del Dia feeling hungry; quite the contrary in fact. Don't forget that these meals were meant to feed the workers, and still do, so don't be surprised if you find yourself surrounded by a group of Spanish taking their lunch break.
A popular first course is a really tasty soup or a salad, but dishes are as diverse as the restaurants which offer them, so there won't be a problem finding something you like. A Chinese restaurant will have its own particular version, as will an Italian or Indian, but most Spanish bars and restaurants stick to what they know the locals will enjoy. Chicken, fish, meatballs or pork usually come with chips, but that's no different to the main menu. There's usually the choice of a pudding or coffee, but if you want to pay extra, you can have both.
Although Menu del Dia is available nationwide, the cheapest place, according to the Organisation of Consumers and Users, is Malaga, which weighed in with an average price of ?7.55 which is pretty good value for a hearty meal. The national average is ?9.50; still representing terrific value for money. Apparently, this information was gleaned from a survey of one hundred restaurants in Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid, Seville, Valencia, Vigo, Zaragoza and Malaga. I wonder who carried out the survey, and if he can fit through his front door these days; nice work if you can get it.
The only problem with Menu del Dia is that you probably won't want to eat a big meal in the evening, which could spoil your restaurant plans, but if you're happy to eat your main meal in the middle of the day, and are looking to save money, it's made for you, so the next time you're on holiday in Spain, don't forget the magic words.
Script Of The Day
Lucy had been sitting near the door in the conservatory for two hours, yelling. Her boy had recently modified his behaviour a lot. He was temperamental and uncommunicative, shouting, at her for no motive and complaining about her shopping, her dress sense and pretty much everything about her. She felt fed-up. They had been so joyful for two years – a whirlwind love had led to live together and they lived every day as if it was the first time they had loved each other together. The ardour was endless – all her contacts were jealous, they joked that Lucy and Gavin belonged in a Mills and Boon soppy romance narrative.
But it was not a novel, they were deliriously happy and just couldn't adore each other, until a few months ago Gavin had had a problem at work, damaging his back, and it seemed, his personality. He didn't want to caress, and showed no interest in sex at all. She even started to believe that he was having a passionate story with a nurse at the hospital, he spent so much time in his rehabilitation treatmentit had to be true.
she asked the nurse who didn't know what she was asking for, and even offered to be understanding with Lucy.
“Often boys who are suffering from impotence as a result of this kind of accident can be intolerable,” she said.
Lucy was stunned and the nurse clapped her hand over her mouth, “Oh my God! I thought you knew and that you were just calling my bluff with the affair accusation” she objected. She was so preoccupied that she would be lose her job that Lucy ended up consoling her and promising not to tell how she had found out.
At last she discovered the whole matter; Gavin was just keeping occult his erectile dysfunction with fury. On the other hand, knowing what the problem was wouldn't aid to get a cure, and she felt so sad at the idea of no more sex and romance. The young nurse told her about a drug called generic Viagra that may help and she hunted online how it might improve impotence and discovered generic Cialis, which seemed to have long-lasting effect as it lasted for 36 hours! This was more like it – they often had weekend dates where they didn't leave the bedroom.
She designed a planIt should be a secret or the game would be up so she decided that the time for principles had passed and that she would simply drug him with generic Cialis and then spill the beans, when he couldn't storm off in humiliation and, also when his curiosity and excitement may take over. It was dangerous, but anything was better than this irritable husband she lived with.
She deceived him by saying that they had been invited to a family meeting and had to reserve a room into a hotel as there was no space in her brother's flat – luckily he still hadn't met all of her family so it was plausible.
He decided to go, reluctantly and, when they arrived, even accepted that the setting was nice. They had some luxurious food before leaving for the festivity (even though Lucy didn't plan on leaving the hotel at all!).
She ordered all his favourite food and when he was looking away, slipped the pill into his food. He was guzzling, drinking, swallowing some water, eating some bread added that it tasted quite strange.
she could tell that the aphrodisiac food music and setting were having a outcome on him; he was visibly romantic and starting to look at her in the old twinkly-eyed way. Finally, he confessed to her what had been wrong for all these months and said that, if she was eager to try, he had got some generic Viagra in their room. Lucy grinned, and couldn't stop.
” she said. And the hotel staff didn't see them until Monday evening!
Both Edith Nelson & Charlesillasana are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Edith Nelson has sinced written about articles on various topics from Eating Out, Interest and Music. Alan Liptrot writes for Your Holiday Rentals.com, providing worldwide holiday rentals More at. Edith Nelson's top article generates over 2400 views. Bookmark Edith Nelson to your Favourites.
