Damn. Our reservation for the acclaimed Mina Restaurant was not until 9PM because you know those…read moreEuropeans sure like to eat late. At home, I could start nodding off before 8PM, especially if I've already seen that episode of HGTV's "Fixer Upper" already. After all, I can handle only so much shiplap in a conscious state. So it was natural that Jamie W. and I started getting peckish around 5PM as we were exploring the labyrinth of activity in the Old Town (Casco Viejo). We knew we had multiple gourmet courses ahead of us in a Michelin-starred establishment (review: http://bit.ly/2BjKg28) so we thought it wise to keep it light.
We ambled about until we came upon the terrace portion of this cafe in the shadow of the massive Catedral de Santiago. With an open table amid a sea of middle-aged Spanish locals, we took advantage and sat ourselves down as the young server raced by dropping off a couple of well-worn menus. Jamie and I both ordered the 7€ Mixed Salad with lettuce, thin tomato slices, a sliced hard-boiled egg, white asparagus, onion, and tuna (photo: http://bit.ly/2BtMz7g). Although there was nothing extraordinary about the mix which we ordered without dressing, it was the ideal amount of sustenance to get us to dinner.
FOOD - 3 stars...it's a salad and it worked
AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...a historic courtyard and a stream of people walking by us
SERVICE - 3 stars...speedy, not too personable
TOTAL - 3 stars...if you need a bite in the Old Town
