“That place looks good.” …I say to my husband, Eddie. Our hunger growing as we wander through the lively streets of Valencia. Sometimes I still pinch myself that we live in Spain. But the whole “how we got here” story can be for another day. For now, I just want you to know that this is how we have discovered so many of the places here. And this is how we first discovered Los Madriles!

Photo just before dinner. Shot on the hubs phone, Samsung Galaxy 24 Ultra.

City life is a new rhythm for our family. Coming from a suburban lifestyle in California, we’re just beginning to savor the joy of effortlessly stumbling upon new places. In the suburbs, particularly in the States, every outing seemed like a “calculated pursuit”. As if we always had some plan for where we were going, when leaving the house. But here in Spain, we don’t even own a car anymore. It’s feet, bus, taxi or bike, basically. And because Valencia is so walkable, we actually choose to use our feet to get around the majority of the time.

This is our new way of living & it’s quite the revelation!

Our Spanish life has unfolded so many sweet surprises—like discovering hidden gems we hadn’t planned for, places that find us just minutes before we step through their doors. It’s a feeling of joy that doesn’t seem to fade, it renews itself with every spontaneous turn on one street to the next & barrio after barrio. Filling our days with new anticipations & experiences around life & especially, food.

With this new food writing journey unfolding before me, I sense a kind of honesty humming in my bones, urging me to share the stories that might make you look twice. There will be places that charm and enchant, and others that leave you a little bruised—but isn’t that the fun of it all? I’ve come to see every meal, every encounter, as an experience worth savoring. Even in the moments that are less than perfect, I find myself a bit more awake, a bit more alive—grateful, always, for something to talk about.

I hope this candid exploration will serve as a reminder: to those of us who love food and those who make it, that every detail counts. There is value in sharing stories that are real and raw but still leave room for kindness. As an American living in Spain & as someone who imagines my taste journey will lead me all over the world as the years go on. I want to be clear; life is not perfect anywhere we go. It was not perfect in the States, it is not perfect here. Nor will it be perfect any other places we end up in this lifetime.

My hope with my writings is to zone focus on food. Taste, flavor & hospitality, wherever I can find it. This, I believe, is the truest way for me as the woman I am today, an unconventional critic, to honor this craft and to celebrate the communities we visit & the places we call home.

Los Madriles

The Los Madriles Restaurant theme seems to be a sort of reinvention of traditional Spanish gastronomy with a modern touch, emphasizing the importance of the overall dining experience, including ambiance, service, and carefully curated food and drink options & they do this quite well! We have visited 3 times now and the experience was consistently great. If you order the “Codillo glaseado con salsa barbacoa y chukrut” one day, go back a month later, you’ll be sure to get the same amazing quality of a dish that you experienced the first round. That is a beautiful thing to expect. While I love variations in menus personally, it’s the quality & consistency that stands out in whatever the dishes may be. It’s what all good restaurants should be incredibly skilled in. You can also count on it being one of the best dishes you’ve had in Valencia, Spain.

*Cantabrian anchovy "Ortiz" with toast & tomato.*

The first tapas arrive — a single anchovy, glistening on a plate so exquisitely designed that Eddie and I can’t help but trace its curves with our fingertips. Yes, just one anchovy. But when the flavor is this intense, a single bite can feel like an entire conversation. There's something undeniably sensual about discovering flavor on such a deep level — and my husband, I’ve noticed, has become quite skilled at picking up on those nuances I’m always so poetic about. And besides, we know there’s a massive Glazed Knuckle coming our way soon.

The anchovy is a familiar sight these days. If you live in Spain long enough, it becomes the norm. But something fascinating happens when you order anchovies or sardines often enough. It gets better and better. Your taste buds sing the more you get used to them. I say this because I know that the majority of readers who read my blog at this time, are most likely going to be friends & family back home from the States & will be thinking “You’re eating Anchovies like no big deal these days?” And well, the answer is “Hell YES, we are!” & I will shout to the rooftops, that everyone should be, no matter where you live.

Do you even know the nutrients you get from an anchovy?

Anchovies are a powerhouse of nutrition, fueling the body with high-quality protein for muscle repair, enriching the mind with brain-boosting omega fatty acids, and fortifying cell membranes to protect every cell in your body! So as tiny as they are, they come with big benefits that we shouldn’t be missing out on. As a Holistic Chef & new food critic, the topic obviously gets me eager to share. (even though, any locals to Spain who read this, may think I’m crazy for making such a big deal out of such a staple). I’ll take one for the team, if I must. Let’s go…

Next up, Coca d'oli with roasted vegetables and flame-grilled chaplainnets & Torrezno de Soria with potato revolcona and vegetable pipirrana. Yum! — Torrezno is a kind of fried bacon snack produced in Spain.

Don’t be fearful of this. Lean into those good fats when they come your way. Natural & nutrient dense fats are crucial for our bodies to function. Bacon fat is rich in monounsaturated fats, especially oleic acid, which is the same type of fat found in olive oil and is known for its beneficial effects on heart health. About 50% of the fat in bacon is monounsaturated, according to the Weston Price Foundation (which is one of my favorite go-to resources on straight up real food talk.) Remember, the quality of bacon is key. Like all foods, choose wisely.

So many people still don’t realize that the “low-fat” diet was a huge disaster for a good 40 years. Not to throw another link in here, but check this out if you wish: Forty years of low-fat diets: a ‘failed experiment’ | News | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

And yes, bacon fat contains saturated fat. This is the part people need to stop being so afraid of. By this point & what I’ve shared above, you must know now, that saturated fats are important for cell membrane integrity within the body. They help the body absorb fat-soluble vitamins (like A, D, E, and K), and provide a stable source of energy. They also play an important role in supporting hormone production and regulation of your whole beautiful being!

At first, I began to question if I had remembered to order our other course because of the Torrezno on this plate. But my husband promptly reminded me that yes, I had done just fine & we should be expecting the extra goodness to come soon. Around this time, we had a chat about how much we love this place & how beautiful & flavorful everything is. I also raved about how I can tell there are “cheffy skills” in the building as the brunoise cuts on the Torrezno plate were obvious signs of this. Not every restaurant shows off these kind of knife skills, but believe me…to the right person. They will not go unnoticed. Los Madriles is not afraid to show off. And I’m lovin’ it.

Torrezno de Soria with potato revolcona and vegetable pipirrana. *Look close for the Brunoise veggie cuts ;)*

Coca d'oli with roasted vegetables and flame-grilled chaplainnets.

In comes the Codillo! And my eyes light up. Because I mean this dish is a showstopper & your heart skips a beat a little. 💓 (Codillo means Knuckle) and it comes topped on delicious, mashed potatoes & homemade red cabbage sauerkraut on the side. Not to mention the black peppercorns that adorn the top with the pop of greens for good measure. Did I already say Yum, because YUMMM!

Are you ready for dessert? I am!

I mentioned that this was our third visit to Los Madriles, so as you can imagine, we had a head start on knowing what we may choose for dessert. Eddie immediately said…”we’re getting the “Limón Pie!”

Lemon Pie con Merengue Gratinado, to be exact. And I did not counter that decision.

There’s a marshmallow cloud hugging the whole dessert. Flambéed Meringue kissed with fire until it’s golden and crackling! It’s this warm, sweet, a frothy delight that melts on your tongue soft as a whisper. I tried so hard to word for word say what I was experiencing out loud to Eddie, as I did not want to forget it. In order to be able to write about it properly.

Here’s the best part — just beneath that pillowy surface, a sharp jolt of lemon sherbet, tart enough to make you pucker your lips like you’re gonna plant a funny kiss on someone, kicks in. Followed by a hidden layer of buttery cookie somewhere in the middle. It’s a treasure hunt for your spoon. It makes you want to find the pieces of cookie before the person in front of you does.

(no judgement please) 😜