Hi all,
I am hopelessly addicted to pantumaca. There is a little bar named Desahoga near the Mercado de San Miguel that makes a great version of it. Can anyone recommend other bars/restaurants that make this? I think the secret is that Desahoga uses a lot of garlic.

Thanks!

Hey jaimemiguel, join the club buddy, I love the stuff but easy on the garlic , I can smell yer breath from here

When I was living in Granada for a summer years ago I had a great place for breakfast every morning and it was always the "tumaca" for me

Although a catal�n thing by nature, it can be found in many places around Spain but I have noticed that it is scarce in Madrid.

There is a Caf� called "Pantumaca" on Calle Mayor right around the corner from my place. Not sure of the street # but it is on your left just before you hit the Mercado de San Miguel if you are walking down C/ Mayor away from Puerta del Sol.

I have had coffee there but now wonder if "Pantumaca" is just the name or if they actually serve it

I will check into that next time I pass the place.

Saludos,
jer...

Hey again, it has been confirmed! I went in today and the place called "PANTUMACA" on Calle Mayor serves up what looked like a tasty pantumaca with a nice bread from a village near Madrid.

As usual HERE IS THE PHOTO

I had already eaten breakfast when I popped in so I did not partake in the delicacy but you can bet I will be back there, plenty!

Saludos,
jer...

Hey Jer,
I know exactly where that is.
With the spotty hours that Desahoga keeps - I will have to try the 'official' pantumaca!

Hey jaimemiguel, I tried the Pantumaca there today for breakfast and it was pretty good.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS!

They have a few nice breakfast combos, I had the Pantumaca, Caf� and "Zumo de Naranja" (Orange Juice) special for only 1.65 Euros (just under $1.50)

Man, back in NYC I would have paid at least $5 for that

Saludos,
jer...

Oh yeah - lookin' fine! In 1 week that will be mine.

Oh yeah - one more thing - that is a *lot* cheaper than Desahoga.

Hey jaimemiguel, I guess it was just too cheap, the place is out of business as of a week ago

I guess they had too much competition on the Caf� packed Calle Mayor.

Saludos,
jer...

Jer,
What is pantumaca?

Hey Booklady, in case ya missed the link in my post above, HERE IS THE PIC

While a picture is worht a thousand words, it is a bit difficult to see exactly what it is made up of from that photo.

Tis native of the Catal�n kitchen and is also known as "pa amb tom�quet" ("pan con tomate" = "bread with tomato") or "torradas".

Borrowed this tantelising description from the Soft Guide ( www.softdoc.es )...

quote:

... a crusty peasant bread, sliced and toasted, and then moist, aromatic, soft red pulp and juices of a sun-reipened tomato and rubbed over both sides. Next comes a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a light dusting of salt. It's a midday snack, or an accompaniment to appetizars in a fine restaurant, and goes well with jam�n or smoked salmon.

It is really very flexible as I have had it (an d it is much tastier to me) with fresh "ajo" garlic rubbed on it :l:

Have also seen it on many types of bread although ideally and most tasty on the "crusty peasant bread" mentioned above.

Great thing about Pantumaca is that it is a great treat to chow any time of the day or night and is very easy & inexpensive to make

Saludos,
jer...

p.d. I think I am going to have to go on a Pantumaca hunt out in Madrid one of these days Yet another sacrifice that I am willing to make for al of you

You know, this tantalizing dish reminds me of an observation I've made here in Spain in that people in many rural and rural-esque regions outside of Madrid are so creative with their breakfast habits and tend to take the meal much more seriously than most 'Madrile�os/Gatos' tend to.

I always love when we vacation down at 'El Mar Menor' with my wife's family from M�laga because eating breakfast with them is a long 2 hour ordeal reminiscent of some religious ceremonies that I've observed in the past. (Side note, if a Spaniard ever offers you 'Jam�n con Melon' "Cured Ham with Mellon", NEVER turn it down no matter how weird that combination sounds to you. IT'S AWESOME!! )

One of my favorite breakfast meals that the Malague�os have turned me on to consists of taking hard bread or toast, covering it with Virgin Olive oil and topping this off with Ham, Tomato, Smoked Salmon, etc. Ohhhhh, it's so good. Pity we don't have time to continue those good habits as we should once we return to Madrid. If you've never tried that combination, I recommend it heartily.... Sorry for the tangent, but you guys got me hungry!

P.S. Note to Paul...This thread is helping me cope with my Lack 'O Mexican Food predicament. There's nothing like group therapy!

That does it. I shall not return until another pantumaca source is found.