IMDonehere

Do you have a favorite place in Segovia for cochinillo? Has anyone been to Al Abuelo lately which has been around since pigs were invented? Is it still good or is it a tourist trap?

Thank you.

ekscrunchy

I'm embarassed to say that I had not heard of La Abuela before, but I did like Jose Maria very much. I think all the asadores get tourists but maybe you can lessen the balance by eating on the late side, which you already know.

I did not find an overwhelming amount of tourists at Jose Maria (I think Candido gets more). This thread is old but maybe some good info within, esp on food; the comments on the pig at Jose Maria are on June 6th, I believe:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...nd-segovia.cfm

IMDonehere

Thanks Esk

I am not sure how late we are staying because we are making a day trip by AVE from Madrid.

My wife remembered that Al Abuelo gave us a bowl for 40 years ago, which we found. We were in Segovia for a week then and ate there often. We had a lot less money and the choices were limited.

I want to walk into the restaurant and say, "Ill have the usual."

BTW, EKS, we had really good moules frites in Manhattan at BXL Zoute.


http://bxlrestaurants.com/

TrendGirl2

CANDIDO was "jammed packed" in Segovia in the afternoon.
If you consider this, I suggest make reservations as to be sure it will be available.
It seems like the true authentic experience in Segovia.

Of course the location right next to the Acquaduct makes it very easy for all to locate & it seems to be "a must" for true foodies wanting the authentic experience.
Hopefully it is as good as it used to be, as it was not inexpensive.
We looked inside the restaurant as we were curious, and it was so well known.
But..............

I did not eat there as I have to say it freaks me out to see the Conchinello on the platter.

Although I don't doubt it is delicious.
Segovia was wonderful to see.
TrendGirl2

IMDonehere

Thanks Trend.

We have made our own cochinillo, when we dug a pit in a BIL's backyard. The Spanish demonstrate that the pig has been cooked perfectly when the take a dinner plate and with the edge cut large pieces of the pig.

We will be going during the week in September, so we are hopeful the streets and restaurants will not be too crowded.

jelopez33

Hi! Another vote for José María....we were there three or four years ago, and everythig was excellent, not only cochinillo. If you like sweets, try ponche segoviano.

Enjoy!

TrendGirl2

I am impressed.......YOU ACTUALLY DUG A PIT & cooked the Pig yourself.

thanks for sharing about the Spanish tradition and the dinner plate!!!!!

In September, the weather should be pleasant, & hopefully not as crowded as in the summer months. I was there in November,
which was very pleasant and a crisp mild day.

TrendGirl2

joannyc

I ate at both Candido and Jose Maria during my visit to Segovia. Both for dinner. The food was equally good. I really enjoyed the upstairs dining room by the front windows at Candido over the dining room at Jose Maria's.

casperjj

Is there a way to order conchillo so you don't actually see the piggy? My kids will try almost anything as far as food is concerned and I know they would try the conchillo and likely enjoy it but not if a piglet is visible on the plate!

IMDonehere

They might see it at another table. Some places have pictures, others make a big deal of cutting it with a plate as noted above. The first time I had it was in a small town called Arévalo, some fellow was savoring the head on his plate.

casperjj

Umm, ok. I guess my instinct was right... we should probably skip that

TrendGirl2

Casperjj:

The HEAD OF THE PIG along with the body complete with "squiggly tail" was right there....on the platter.

It was prepared beautifully, but NOT FOR ME...!

It freaked me out.
TrendGirl2

ekscrunchy

Looks like Jose Maria has a special knife, a cuchinillo, with which you can most easily savor that cochinillo.



http://eladerezo.hola.com/utensilios...a-segovia.html