quote:

maybe some chilling out is needed around here!

I don't think so Candance. I didn't get the vibe that anyone needed to chill out. I just wanted to see if anyone could answer the original question that was asked.

I take message boards very lightly and don't wrapped up emotionally in any topic.

Shawn

that's good to know. many of your posts do come out very very serious sounding to the reader

for example.....

quote:

Can we please stick to the original question?

in italics no less....

i mean, it does sound serious!

Maybe to you, but it doesn;t to me.

This is why I don't take message boards too seriously. I am more concerned with what the person has to say and the meaning of the message rather than how they say it.

We as readers also put our own spin on things when we read, a fact that simply cannot be denied. These foolish conventions that caps means screaming and italics means emphasizing something simply cannot replace actually speaking with a person.

Shawn

Talk about off topic Thats usually me!

Still quite interested in why this info is needed though

quote:

hey, i haven't been to gumbo in ages, but i doubt they have oyster po-boys. why? oysters are too expensive in spain to go frying them up and piling them on a slab of bread!

--completely offtopic and lovin'it--
Hmm, that's true. Speaking of oysters, has anyone ever seen them preshucked here (like in the little plastic containers you can get in the US)?
--end off-topic--

That place "Home" in Malasaña has a North American vibe (they are from Canada, I think). There just aren't enough Americans here to merit our own restaurant scene (or even restaurant). Same goes for Mexican--one of the best places in Madrid (Taquería Alamillo) has Chinese people working in the kitchen!

But of course, sometimes it can help to emphasise some words

quote:

Still quite interested in why this info is needed though

The world may never know why.

Shawn

ok, you are all overreacting.

Shawn is right, it would be nice to answer the original question.

nobody is getting upset so let's not blow things out of proportion here

anyone who knows Shawn would realize he is about the easiest going guy on earth.

as for the original question, we still have no clarification from CaliforniaGirl as to what on earth she is really lookin for but from her last post, i have a feeling she is looking for an american infested place to bring her students to

hey CaliforniaGirl, there is a great business idea for you, an american restaurant with all american employees. just imagine, english teachers could bring their classes of spaniards there to observe the anim...errrr... americans in their natural habitat

i do want to comment on Gumbo. i went once a looooong time ago and found the food average and the prices HIGH. not worth it in my humble opinion.

saludos,
jer...

quote:

americans in their natural habitat

Why not just invite them to the next mm gathering?

Jer, I am in the locutorio laughing out loud at you post regarding observing "anima, er -- Americans in their natural habitat! You totally crack me up!! It´s just that my students love all things American and I really wanted them to experience authentic American atmosphere, not just the American chain restaurants.

quote:

I really wanted them to experience authentic American atmosphere

Have your tried taking them to one of the big language schools? They are full of American students at the moment.

Unfortunatly short of taking them to the U.S., I'm not sure it's possible to experience an authentic American atmosphere unless you create it yourself. You could always throw a party and only invite your students and other Americans. The 4th of July is coming up which could be really convient.

Also don't forget Hard Rock Cafe. I was there recently to meet someone and I swear, every table was full of Americans.

Candela,

My Spanish wife and I recently helped some tourists find the Hard Rock Cafe. We tried to steer them to a half dozen better Spanish places where they could get a meal that was authentic, local, and probably cheaper, but they would have none of it. Some people want the familiar when they travel, although if they want the familiar I'm not sure why they're traveling.
As for us expats, we need our comfort food every now and then!
Has anyone tried Fat Tony's? I could use some hot wings.

Probably the closest you find to restaurants that have Americans (ie native English speakers)as employees would be Irish Pubs. For some reason they are hugely popular in Germany and always staffed by Irish expats. I have run into the odd American working downtown (TGIF comes to mind) but for the most part Americans seem to stick to teaching English.

Going off topic with restaurants one thing I can't figure out why Starbucks is so popular with the Spanish, Americans visiting I can see, but for any local it's a very expensive cup of coffee. Yet the one in Alcobendas near where I teach is always packed. The coffee isn't that much better than what you get in a local bar and as far as cappuccinos go I've gotten better ones else where for less money I must add.

In defense of Starbucks they make excellent sandwiches, often I buy them if I'm on a weird schedule and I can't get back for lunch or dinner.

Back on topic but only slightly is my only real complaint with restaurants here is that they close from 4-9 in the evening, and for me on a work night going out for dinner at 9 or 10 is simply too late. For that reason I tend to eat at VIPS but I’m getting tired of their food. What I love about Spain which I haven’t seen anywhere else is the menu de dia. Fabulous value for the money.

I'm baffled by the popularity of Starbucks here too. One of my favorite things about this city is all the wonderful cafes, each with good coffee and their own individual character (at least the better ones), so why go to some soulless chain?
Remember about two years ago when all of a sudden a bunch of Starbucks opened around Madrid? That happened in London at the same time, and I'm thinking maybe it happened in other European cities too. They're spreading!