The Perfect Meal

In a post Michelin world - this is how you want to eat

Last week, I wrote about the Tyranny of Michelin Stars and how the 14 element tasting menu lasting 3 hours and costing $300+ had sucked the joy out of fine dining. So here today, I am back to write about the remedy. What does the perfect meal actually look like if it is not swirls, foams and tweezered flowers? Read on!

La Sociedad is an unknown address that is hidden away up a winding road in the hills above Malaga that is packed every day with locals from the surrounding areas and family outings from Malagueńos especially on weekends. No tourists here.

New substacker, Paco Becerro, is joining me on this post as he introduced me 18 months ago and I will be forever grateful.

This post will be short - describing a simple and perfect dining experience that serves as an antidote for “Michelinitis”. Without further ado - here is the perfect meal from the humble but majestic La Sociedad in Canillas de Las Aceituno:

And now for perfect and simple meal

1. 1st Appetizer - Sausages from local butcher

Starting with the simple appetizer of chorizo and local blood sausage (morcilla). The flavors of these village specialties are pure and delicious.

Sadly…Paco ate them all:

2. 2nd Appetizer - Mushroom nirvana

Getting fancier now with an appetizer of mushrooms, fried eggs, foie gras and Iberian ham - elegant yet simple ingredients in an ethereal blend of sharply contrasting flavors:

And here is a masterful demo from Mr. Plotnicki himself:

3. The Main Course: Baby goat from the surrounding farms

Baby goat roasted over a wood fire in a garlic broth bath. They call these milk goats because they never consume anything but mother’s milk. They are “harvested” prior to grazing and have a tenderness beyond belief.

Chef Manolo and his magnificent goat from Canillas de Aceituno - This Goat is the G.O.A.T. Greatest Of All Time:

It is roasted in a wood fired oven, with a basket of sliced garlic that swims in the tray of juicy broth. You might think the broth is fatty but it is not because goats are quite lean:

My previous favorite was this beauty from Argentina but it cannot compete with La Sociedad and it’s garlic broth bath.

Pire Hue - Bariloche

4. Simple Salad of lettuce, tomato and onion - you wouldn’t want it any other way:

5. Asadura - Goat brains, kidneys, cheeks etc…

   Most people hate it - some people (like me) think it’s the best part

6. Head and brains - It is exquisite for those that can “stomach” the brains:

7. Dessert - Made with delicious, juicy, fresh mangoes

The Magnificent mango and yoghurt made with local ingredients is a dizzying finish to a perfect meal. These days, we split multiple desserts four ways to taste a bit of everything without getting “over-sugared”. This exceptional dessert can be eaten solo as it is so refreshing.

The cost? - A ridculous $70 per person including wine

Summary

Each component of this goat feast has been perfected over the years by Manolo and his family at La Sociedad. The entire experience washes over you like a wave. Each element feels unimprovable. Surely - the word will get out and this treasure will be awarded a richly deserved Bib Gourmand.

And to finish - one last look at the Unesco worthy goat from La Sociedad en Las Canillas.