13 April 2016
Chocolates served 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year? It’s every chocolate lover’s dream. And on a scorching hot day in Madrid, during our gastronomic adventures in Spain last year, hubby and I stumbled upon a famous, over a century old establishment that serves just that.
Tucked away in a quiet alley, a short stroll from the bustling Puerta Del Sol, Chocolateria St Gines is touted to be THE place for the quintessential Spanish treat of chocolate con (with) churros in Madrid; a discovery that we made after the fact. Eaten for breakfast, tea, dessert, supper or anytime really. Admittedly, we followed our noses, tracing the origins of the heavenly, sweet aroma of freshly fried dough. The outdoor table settings, on either side of the entrance, were already fully occupied that morning. People young and old were enjoying their chocolate con churros while lapping up the unseasonably warm weather in May, and people watching. We joined the back of the queue at the marble counter, entertained by the chef frying up foot long churros and porras (thicker version) to military precision. At the other end of the counter, white coffee cups and saucers were neatly laid out, ready to be filled. The menu was simple – churros, porras, hot chocolate, cafe con leche (coffee with milk) and other beverages.
We settled on one serve of the churros. They arrived on our table as 5 even-lengthed, golden brown and warm batons, with beautifully formed ridges. The chocolate was served in a white coffee cup, warm, molten and dark, with a teaspoon to scoop up the viscous treat. After the obligatory photos by hubby, I dunked the churro into the molten chocolate and took my first bite. The initial taste sensation that hit me was the chocolate – warm but not scorching, rich and bold in flavour, and alternating between sweet and bitter on my taste buds. It coated my palate as I sank my teeth into the ridged outer surface of the churro. Crisp on the outside, light and fluffy on the inside, and mildly sweet, the churro was an example of perfectly cooked choux pastry. In that moment, I was completely immersed in savouring my Spanish chocolate con churros experience……The simple pleasures in life……
So, does this rate as an ultimate chocolate experience?……..Close, but I will keep searching.
