The award-winning writer has just presented her book ‘Today caviar, tomorrow sardines,’ written in tandem with her brother Gervasio Posadas, a story full of experiences, recipes, and anecdotes based on a diary of their mother.
We talked to Carmen Posadas about those bookstores where she can spend hours looking for literary treasures, the beauty center where she allows herself to be pampered, and the gourmet temples where she buys that dulce de leche cake that she loves so much.
TO EAT
The tastiest breakfast: “At least, the most extensive is the one at the Casa Cacao hotel (Ginesta, 2) in Girona. When I stayed there, in addition to the typical, homemade jams, yogurts, fruit and cheese, they served us lamb with yogurt, mint and hummus and a glass of red wine as the main course for breakfast. I also want to go to breakfast at the new Embassy, in the Salamanca district of Madrid”.
Lunch with friends: “If I have to make a good impression on someone, I take them to El Viajero (Plaza de la Cebada, 11) in the Madrid neighborhood of La Latina. It belongs to my niece Sara Aznar. The atmosphere is boho-chic and the food , very good. Their chivitos are the best in Madrid and the tortillas and croquettes deserve an Oscar”.
Rich tapas: “There is no beer like the one at La Fresquita tavern (Mateos Gago, 29) in the Sevillian neighborhood of Santa Cruz, decorated with Easter motifs. Its most applauded tapas are spinach with chickpeas, salad and meat with tomato. In Madrid I like the tigre and the flamenquín from Hevia (Serrano, 118) and I also go to Hermanos Vinagre (Narváez, 58) to have their special appetizers”.
Tempting desserts: “As a good Uruguayan, I am passionate about all those that have dulce de leche. At home we usually make it homemade and, when I can, I prepare alfajor cake (thin caps of crispy dough stuffed with dulce de leche and meringue on top). When I don’t I have time to cook, I buy the dulce de leche and banana cake from Cristina Oria (Ortega y Gasset, 29) and the cheese with dulce de leche from Lombay (Paseo de la Habana, 13)”.
Al dente: “I have the best pasta at Antico Martini, my favorite restaurant in Venice, after leaving an opera at La Fenice (it’s right outside) and I usually order the house spaghetti, with mussels, curry and coriander In Madrid, the best Venetian food is at Osteria Il Colombo (Hermanos Bécquer, 5): their pappardelle with deer ragu are great.”
Gourmet temple: “I choose Ergon Foods, in Athens, which in addition to being a gourmet shop and restaurant has a hotel on the upper floors (Ergon House) where they teach Greek cooking.”
TO BUY
Fashion basics: “I really like Shon Mott (Lagasca, 70), with sustainable basics that last a long time.”
Whimsy Accessories: “Robert Clergerie shoes and bags by Mansur Gavriel and Moi & Sass.”
Deco details: “I really like antiques and special pieces that I find at auctions or on trips. My last acquisition was precisely on a recent trip to Venice: glasses designed by Giberto Arrivabene (gilberto.it), a Venetian count who sculpts glass of Murano”.
Favorite bookstores: “I have many but I will choose three. For all kinds of books, La Casa del Libro (Gran Vía, 29); for old books, Dedalus (Madrazo, 26), and to combine literature and gastronomy, nothing like A Punto (Farmacia , 6)”.
TO TAKE CARE OF ME
Pampering for my hair: “My hair has no cure, it’s a disaster, that’s why I trust my hairdressers all my life, Pitu, and Lourdes.”
In shape: “I do a little gymnastics board every day. Very short, but I never skip it. I also dance tango with my friend Gaspar and my teacher Daniel.”
Beauty center: “How could it be otherwise, I choose my daughter Sofía’s, Centro Mira+Cueto Estética (Apolonio Morales, 13 G). It’s not because she’s my daughter, but Sofía is a crack. Her natural treatments and minimally invasive are perfect for taking off ten years at a stroke”.
TO TRAVEL
Dream hotel: “Cheval Blanc, on the island of Randheli (Maldives), an oasis designed by the architect Jean-Michel Gathy and which can only be reached by seaplane. To disconnect closer, I go to Casa Taberna, in Pedraza, a hotel full of charm where they make you feel at home, but better”.
The museums I visit the most: “I am lucky enough to live one step away from the Thyssen, two from the Prado and three from the Reina Sofía, and I try not to miss the temporary exhibitions. Some are splendid.”
Movie afternoon: “I love the Yelmo Cines Ideal room (Doctor Cortezo, 6). If I go with my grandchildren, I choose the Kinepolis or any other large room with special effects. And since I really like the summer cinema, I usually go to the of the Light Bulb in Príncipe Pío. I’m more into movies than series, although ‘The Crown and ‘The Durrells’ have fascinated me”.
Pending show: “The Beatles Love by Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas this Christmas.”
A destination in the world: “I really like the trips we do with Action Against Hunger; regardless of the destination, they are all interesting: Georgia, Colombia, the Gaza Strip…”.