HOLY SEE Pope Francis with Archbishop Paul Gallagher (above) and with Archbishop Charles John Brown (below). —Photos from the Vatican Last week we had the pleasure of dining at Txoko Asador on Esteban Street in Legaspi Village. This restaurant is still as exceptional as it was the first time I tried it prepandemic, in fact, possibly more exquisite than when it started.
The meal opened with a starter of Pan Con Tomate Y Jamon, which is a brilliant concoction of tomato foam enveloped in Jamon Serrano with a touch of Iberico oil. The sweet acidity of the tomato literally bursts in your mouth as you take a bite of the delicately salty jamon. It is truly a memorable first impression, setting the tone for the excellent experience ahead.
On the same plate is their elegant silver of Patatas Bravas, a rectangular offering of roasted potato whose outer layer is beautifully toasted but delightfully soft inside. And still on the same plate as well is the Canelones Txangurro, which gives a burst of umami from the crab meat stuffed inside. For those who don’t eat beef, for mains they serve a mean Turbot—a relatively large flatfish that is simply grilled but using the resto’s fancy Josper.
If you do eat beef, their steak is also an excellent option, especially if you appreciate it with a good bottle of wine from the restaurant’s selections. Pan Con Tomate y Jamon at Txoko Asador The highlight of our meal, however, was the Cordero Paella. Paella in this country is usually Valencian.