cups | G Dan Mitchell Photography

Churros Time -- table with churros, a cup of chocolate, and coffee cups. — “Churros Time” — Churros, chocolate, and coffee, Madrid Spain.

Yes, this is at Madrid’s Chocolatería San Ginés, one of the better-known (and more touristy) churros shops. Even though it is located down a less-than-obvious side street, the place is often packed. They have come up to the challenge, with a unique (to me, anyway) method of taking orders and allocating tables. The churros and chocolate are the classic combo, with the coffee a nice accompaniment.

I am glad we visited this place, since it is an icon. But it isn’t my most favorite churros experience in Spain. That was in Zaragoza, where we heard that a particular place on an obscure back street is loved by locals. While Americans like us might expect this to be a morning thing, this place only opened at 4:00PM, and the locals were already lined up inside and at the outside walk-up window. And, even better, it seemed that no one spoke English, aside from a helpful customer who was willing to put her limited English to work helping a couple of confused Americans.

G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” (Heyday Books) is available directly from him.

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Restaurant Counter — A work counter in a San Francisco restaurant

A work counter in a San Francisco restaurant

In early December we took a couple of days off and stayed in San Francisco. Usually we would simply drive there and back or take the train, but we had concerts to attend on two nights in a row and the thought of doing that drive up (in rush hour traffic) and back (at around midnight) twice in a row was enough to persuade us to simply find a place to stay. Of course this meant we had a lot more time to wander around the City with cameras and to more opportunities to grab a meal at some new place. This restaurant is very close to a location where we frequently attend concerts, but it was the first time we tried it. It is a casual place, but that was just right this time.

Typically one might not want to be this close to the food preparation areas (and the entrance to the kitchen) but in a tiny place like this that cannot be avoided. Plus it gave this photographer an opportunity to photograph things that are more interesting — to me anyway! — than the people sitting at nearby tables. (And less likely to get me kicked out than if I had started photographing other diners!) The photograph is also a reminder of how good — and even fun — it can be to always have a small camera along, even when your primary goal isn’t photography.

Photographer and visual opportunist. Daily photos since 2005, plus articles, reviews, news, and ideas.