One of the things I have not said about Spain is that they also have really good affordable Hash, (aka Costo, Chocolate, Petas, Porros.and so on) and just right now I indulged myself with just a puff (or two)…. so it took me to this Thing:
There is $$$$$ to make in Spain, with food. Many people think really? In Spain? Food? But they have one of the best cuisines in the world…and that my friend is TRUE.
Now, I am talking about World Cuisine, although I am a Contemporary Japanese Style food trained Chef, I have the opportunity to live in one of the most eclectic cities of the world: San Francisco, Motherfucking California.
And there are sooo many food shacks…. you name it, you have it, in a 7 by 7 mile city. Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, French and Italian, Tapas (which by the way in San Francisco all pretty much suck)…. blah, blah….. all within a couple city blocks.
And now that I am here and I don’t have that stuff, I just make it myself at home. And again, you name it…… Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, French, Italian…. and Tapas (which by the way here they DO NOT suck) je, jeje….
So my point is that here, although Asian food is growing in big cities, they don’t do it well period. Lack of know how, lack of flavor, just lack and still no luck….. and they just put a fancy “Comidas Asiaticas” sign at the door….. fancy words in the menu that serves Pad-thai and gives you crappy pasta….Shit !! I pay 6.95 usd for a huge bowl at King of Thai and that one is not even the best. If I open just a small Taqueria with good food…. you know, just one of those places that every Hood in SF has, Burrito, Tacos, Quesadillas, Tostadas…. and the all-mighty salsa.
I am Spanish, but let me tell you something (whoever is reading). The cooks that have worked with me for the past 10 years, 70% of my employees are mostly Mexicans (that’s how it works in SF) and they cook “staff meal” or what we call family meal, and that food that they cook is what their moms cooked back home in Mexico, And of course, it will be silly of me NOT to learn from them…… so I did, and watched, and did not talk, just saw my guys from Yucatan Peninsula cracking authentic Mexican food in 2 hours for over 50 people everyday. So yeah, I fucking learned!! I know how to cook that stuff. And I do it good. I cook for them, yep, yep…. reverse Engineer!! And they say: “No esta mal por ser Espagnol” which means “Not bad for being a Spaniard” which in reality…. given the MACHO attitude Mexicans have…. means: “DAMN That Shit is good!” Or at least that’s what I’d like to think. Maybe they just say it because I am their boss…. whatever the case, I know my carnitas people.
And that is just Mexican. True authentic Japanese in a big city….. don’t even wanna know how well a business that will be. Spanish people love Food, They eat all day, 3 to 4 meals a day….. not counting the food at the bars, because that is a given. They know how to appreciate good food, different food. To me, the best food critic is my friends and family and if you put a shack or a fancy restaurant that is different and you know what you are doing, they will go.
