I wrote about how I was approved for the Alaska personal (see Approved! Alaska Personal). In that post, I referenced that I continue to be rejected for the business card. A reader suggested that I open a bank account with BoA. I intended to heed the advice before applying for the business card again.
With a 70k business offer, I impulsively did heed that advice, thinking that maybe I would be approved instantly. I was not.
It’s time to call recon and figure out what is going on. As a profitable business owner, I find it harder to be approved now than when I was starting out. Amex is no issue but BOA, Barclays, and Chase aren’t as generous as they used to be (see Barclays AA Business Aviator App: History Repeats Itself & Recon Call After Recon Call, Finally Chase Ink Cash Approved).
You will receive 80k points after you spend 4k in 3 months. That’s not so hard to do compared to 15k in 3 months for Amex offers (see Oops!… I Did It Again: Min Spending Hell). The problem is trying to do so when my limit is only $2,000 and I had already spent $2003.13.
After destroying the minimum spend for the Alaska card (see Approved! Alaska Personal) in Madrid, I could not use my new Chase Ink Cash (see Recon Call After Recon Call, Finally Chase Ink Cash Approved) because 1) there are foreign transaction fees 2) I haven’t received it. This left me in the terrible situation where I would have to keep spending on a card whose min has been met while the card that needed love and had better bonus categories would go unused.
To remedy the situation, I tried to increase the credit limit online. I was denied. I tried to call to increase the credit limit. Again, I was denied. I tried to shift part of the $30,500 limit from my Citi Rewards+ card. Denied.
I tried something more novel. I paid the entire balance. That was on February 25th. The card showed a zero balance on February 26th. By Monday, February 27th, I tried to buy an espresso. It was denied. I called Citi. They said because it was a new account, the balance would not be reset until March 8th. Indignant, I hung up. I tried rationalizing using my Alaska card or my Ink Preferred. I could not. I called Citi again and demanded to speak to a manager. The agent said the manager wouldn’t be able to do anything. I said put him on the phone anyway. She did.
The manager said we could have a three-way call with my bank. If my bank verifies that the funds have been sent, my card would be available for immediate use. After a moderate hold, the banker came on the line and verified that I had paid my bill. The manager removed the block and I, once again, had the mighty purchasing power of $2,000.
Unfortunately for me, the casita in Rio Mar is in perpetual remodel like El Sagrada Familia, an appropriate reference to the country of my current residence. With a Costco President’s Day Sale, I maxed out the card on a new microwave and dishwasher.
Citi min spend is complete but what card am I supposed to use now? Maybe I’ll apply for another Business Amex Platinum and see if they’ll ship it here.
Conclusion: Citi is stupid.
I’ve been in Madrid for almost a month. I have barely gone more than 2km from my piso, if you don’t include running (see Olé! Where to Workout in Madrid). My plan to do nothing is going according to plan. Speaking of working out, it’s a good thing that I have done so just about every day here. There is no shortage of great restaurants from upscale (see Ten Con Ten Madrid vs. City Hall Scottsdale) to traditional tapas (see Best Tapas Madrid: No Budget Cuts Here). The latest was Tiki Taco.
For one to 1.8 euros max, I was able to enjoy a taste of my first residency, Monterrey, Mexico.
Tacos Felix MonterreyTiki Taco Madrid
For a few euros more, I was almost able to taste the sweet joy of a Sol with saltwater and lime Michelada from my days in Acapulco.
Alas, all they had in Madrid was the original Sol.
And because money is no object when it comes to delicious tacos, I was able to experience Guadalajara as well (see Tacos & Tequila: An Afternoon in Tlaquepaque).
Spending $40 on tacos in one night is justifiable. However, to eat the same amount of tacos every night at this price is impossible. Fortunately, Mexico City is included on my residency tour (see Second Residency: The Definitive List).
So long as I avoid the tourist trap of tacos with a view (see Don’t Pay $30 for Tacos), I will come out way ahead.
TPOL’s Tip: Tiki Taco is located at C. de Guzmán el Bueno, 69, 28015 Madrid
Do you know what was the best idea? Moving to Madrid for my second residency in February 2023. Here’s why:
TPOL in Madrid: Why A Second Residency?So why did I decide to leave La Isla Encanta for two months? The answer is simple. I needed a break from the exhaustion of retirement.
Best Tapas Madrid: No Budget Cuts HereI am not in the USA for the next six weeks. This allows me the opportunity to share with you the best places for tapas in Madrid.
A Taste of China, Hong Kong, and Japan…in MadridFrom the outside, I thought I was going to a Japanese restaurant. From the mural on the wall, I thought I was in Hong Kong. From Tsingtao beer, I thought I was in Shanghai. It only occurred to me that I was in Europe when I received the bill for $50.
Ten Con Ten Madrid vs. City Hall ScottsdaleI never wrote a restaurant review of City Hall despite living in Scottsdale for years. After visiting Ten Con Ten in Madrid, I am compelled to compare and praise both of them.
Iberia Business SJU-MAD: And Another OneI’ve flown Iberia to Madrid in business many times. This time was different. This time I was relocating to Madrid for the inauguration of my bi-annual residency in a foreign country.
TPOL’s Tip: Arrive Early to Avoid Sushi TerroristsContinuing my tour of Almagro, my neighborhood in Madrid, I went to Kintaro to catch the sushi express. Destination: fat and full.
Bonus post because they can’t all be about Madrid: Iraq Visa on Arrival: Take a Seat, Hand Over Some Cash, Then ExitVisas are usually a problem for me. I am bad about sending the app ahead of time. I gloss over the rules, or I sloppily fill out the forms. Judging by the informal approach at Baghdad customs, I have concluded that, culturally, I am predisposed to such disorganization.
I once wrote an article about Hertz’s Dynamic Currency Conversion tactic (see Dynamic Currency Conversion – A Euphemism for Highway Robbery). The takeaway from that article is to always select the local currency when using your credit card and let your bank convert the foreign currency into dollars. This is preferable to allowing the foreign bank to set the exchange rate.
The problem I have encountered with DCC in Madrid is when I use Tap to Pay. Here’s what happens: The waiter says the bar tab is 23.5 euros. He brings over the credit card machine. I see 23.5 euros on the screen. I tap my card or my phone. The next step in the transaction is to select euros or dollars. Typically, the waiter hits enter which, by default, selects euros. Sometimes, the waiter takes it upon himself to choose dollars, resulting in the dynamic currency conversion.
I’m sure that the waiter isn’t doing this to scam me. I assume he thinks he is doing it for my own convenience. Without the machine in my hand, I have no way of ensuring that this does not happen. Because the transaction is so quick, I forget to remind the merchant to select euros. When I do remember, I sometimes take it upon myself to select euros myself. This overreach isn’t appreciated by the merchant.
I don’t have a solution for preventing dynamic currency conversion besides being hyper vigilant. That’s easier said than done when you’re at the fifth tapas bar of the evening (see Best Tapas Madrid: No Budget Cuts Here).
What would it have been if I was charged in euros by BOA?
When I wrote TPOL Now Living in Madrid!, I did not think that my real-time Madrid posts would be so Food & Drink focused. But besides sex and drugs and house, what else is there in life? #devil #acapulco #palladium
Today’s installment of TPOL’s Tastes comes from a fun restaurant called Torijrio, located in my Chamberí neighborhood, an area that I see no reason to leave. From the outside, I thought I was going to a Japanese restaurant. From the mural on the wall, I thought I was in Hong Kong. From Tsingtao beer, I thought I was in Shanghai. It only occurred to me that I was in Europe when I received the bill for $50.
Japanese?Japanese sign, Chinese sign, and Hong Kong muralHong Kong Dim Sum and Shanghai dumplingsJapanese ramenWhatever it’s called, it’s Japanese and it’s delicious
As far as the food goes, I would skip the dim sum. It was not fresh. The xiao long bao, though not the quality of Yang’s or Yu Garden (see Yang’s Dumpling Shanghai: Still #1 & Yu Garden Shanghai: Only Go for the Dumplings), was still a celebration in my mouth (see Xiao Long Bao: A Tutorial). The best dish was the Japanese spicy rice.
In terms of language, it was fun trying to decipher the Spanish words for Asian foods. It was also fun to speak a combination of Mandarin and Spanish to the Chinese-Spanish workers. Ultimately, pointing at pictures on the menu worked best.
Translation in English: sex and drugs and houseTranslation in Spanish: deliciosoTPOL’s Tip: Torijiro is located at Calle de Fernández de la Hoz, 70, 28003 Madrid
It has been since May 2022 that I had a bowl of pho (see Pho-usion in Estonia) unless you count instant pho in Puerto Rico (see En Casa Costco Pho Review). I had no expectations of the pho in Madrid but hoped that in this international city I would not be disappointed. Unfortunately, Vietnam Express did not deliver. Here’s why:
Spring Rolls
10.60 euros for 2 spring rolls? That’s insanely expensive. Unless it’s a caviar roll, what justifies the price?Pho Bo
I only like pho tai, pho with thinly cut sirloin served rare in the bowl, that cooks as I mix in the right combination of jalapenos, sprouts, sriracha, lime, and hoison. If a restaurant does not have pho tai listed on the menu, I know to move on (see Pho Edinburgh: Disappointing Adventure). Laziness is the reason I broke this rule. Vietnam Express is a two-minute walk from my apartment. What if the best pho is right outside my door? Surely, I should give it a try.
Bowl
For 10.50 euros, strangely cheaper than the spring rolls, I received the tiniest bowl.Broth
There were no jalapenos nor hoison. The sprouts were the weird looking ones, and the lime lacked zest. In Hanoi, not being offered these accessories is normal. What is abnormal is a lukewarm broth. That is inexcusable. No wonder the beef is cooked ahead of time.Flavor
It did not taste bad, but it was more soup than pho. Of course, I still ate it but take note that I did not finish it off as is inevitable with a great bowl.
Overall
Vietnam Express is too expensive and too bland. Given the other great dining choices (see Michelin for Lunch in Madrid? Why Not? or Mo de Movimiento Madrid: Oh de Organic Pizza or Ten Con Ten Madrid vs. City Hall Scottsdale), I doubt I’ll venture out for another bowl of pho while I am here.
Yesterday, I compared a Scottsdale institution, City Hall, to a landmark in Madrid Ten Con Ten (see Ten Con Ten Madrid vs. City Hall Scottsdale). Today, I’ll compare Junk Burger Madrid to Shake Shack Scottsdale, though the comparison is applicable to all franchise locations.
What They Have in Common
No Tipping: I’ll start this post the same way I started my Shake Shack review by applauding that I do not have to tip at either place. Shake Shack eliminated tipping in its restaurants and tipping in Europe is not common. As an anti-tipper, I love this.
Price: Neither of these places is cheap. In 2018, a specialty burger at Shake Shack was $9.59. In 2023, a specialty burger was between 13 and 14 euros.
The Fries: When I wrote the review for Shake Shack, I had not sampled the fries. A reader wrote, “Didn’t try the fries? The fries make the meal.” I went back and tried. They did not. At Junk Burger, I tried both the regular fries and the Cajun fries. They were nothing special, especially for 3.4 euros each.
What Is Different: The Burger!
Shake Shack’s burger is marginal at best. Junk Burger’s is the exact opposite. It is a hypnotic trance of meat cheese and secret sauce. Despite the steep price, one burger was not enough. While I enjoyed the Timeless, I highly recommend the Lady Cheese. Both were juicy and cooked to perfection. Neither were tiny. Contrast this with Shake Shack whose burger looks like a slider.
The TimelessLady CheeseBack to Price
At Junk Burger, 2 burgers, 2 fries, 2 cokes, and 1 beer was $50. I assume that is roughly the same price at Shake Shack. Who can afford or rationalize this price for fine dining? Tip or no tip, that is not sustainable.
Coke & a smile before the billOverall
Junk Burger claims to be the best burger in Madrid. I’ll take it a step further and say it goes beyond that.
TPOL’s TIP: Junk Burger is located at Calle de José Abascal, 31, 28003 Madrid, Spain. Check out their clever interactive menu.
I never wrote a restaurant review of City Hall despite living in Scottsdale for years (see TPOL in the Desert). After visiting Ten Con Ten in Madrid, I am compelled to compare and praise both of them.
Symbolism
My last visit to City Hall was April 2018 before my permanent move to Puerto Rico (see Despacito! TPOL Is Moving to Puerto Rico! Effective Inmediatamente). My first time at Ten Con Ten is part of my Madrid residency (see TPOL in Madrid: Why A Second Residency?).
Dirty Martinis
Having had a few glasses of wine before dinner (see Best Tapas Madrid: No Budget Cuts Here), I skipped the standard pre-dinner dirty martini, a staple at City Hall.
Wine
To accentuate the symbolic connection with City Hall and Ten Con Ten, take note of the bottle of wine I ordered in Scottsdale.
Ribera del Duero
At Ten Con Ten, I ordered a bottle of Tannat. The last time I had this varietal, I was in Colonia, Uruguay, having just been fired from a law firm (see “It’s Like Riding a Bike.” Those words have haunted me for years.). I’ve come a long way since then.
TPOL’s TIP: Sentimentally spending 100 euros on the wine is fine for the occasion. However, at City Hall there were solid house choices and moderately priced.
Bread
City Hall has the best pretzel bread in the world. It is complimentary.
I was surprised that Ten Con Ten charged 3.50 euros for bread and brought a second basket without asking.
The Food Lineup
Feeling like I was at City Hall from the start, I did my best to order the same items.
Oysters
City HallTen Con Ten
The only problem with oysters is that there are never enough oysters.
Tartare
City HallTen Con Ten
Extra App
At City Hall, I like to try a different appetizer each time. If available, I suggest the sushi roll.
At Ten Con Ten, it was the wagyu carpaccio with parmesan.
Lamb
It is not a mistake to order steak at City Hall. However, I prefer the rack of lamb. At Ten Con Ten, I ordered the suckling lamb to keep the lineup consistent. While it was very good, I will have to go back for one of the following in this order: juicy sirloin, rack ribeye (2 people), or beef tenderloin with black truffle.
Extras
You may not think it so, but the onion rings and ranch at City Hall are the best in the world.
Dessert
Having gone to City Hall so many times, we became friendly with the waiter. He sent me to Puerto Rico with this parting gift.
Perhaps, the good people at Ten Con Ten will do the same. That night I had to order dessert.
Price
Here’s the bill from City Hall:
Ten con Ten was $271.
Overall
Life is great when there are places like City Hall and Ten Con Ten.
Some things in the points life are certain. I won’t be approved for a Capital One Card. Amex will keep sending me 160k Business Platinum offers. And Barclays business card apps will be inexplicably tedious. In 2021, I applied for the JetBlue business card. I was finally approved but look at what I went through:
Despite being an on-again/off-again client for years, Barclays still acts like it has no idea who I am. Like my Chase Ink Cash application where I was initially approved for a high credit line (see Recon Call After Recon Call, Finally Chase Ink Cash Approved), additional information was needed to finalize my application. I called in numerous times and was placed on hold only to hang up after an hour of waiting. This week, I finally was able to get through. Like past applications, Barclays is asking for a copy of Bachuwa Law’s business lease to prove my office is where I claim it is. I asked how it was possible that I received the letter requesting this information at my office if that is not the address of my office. The agent had no response. Like before, my only option for sending in the proof was mail or fax. Based on the amount of time I have spent writing these posts, I dare anyone to say that the points life is easy.
It’s time to call recon and figure out what is going on. As a profitable business owner, I find it harder to be approved now than when I was starting out. Amex is no issue but BOA, Barclays, and Chase aren’t as generous as they used to be (see Barclays AA Business Aviator App: History Repeats Itself & Recon Call After Recon Call, Finally Chase Ink Cash Approved).
For one to 1.8 euros max, I was able to enjoy a taste of my first residency, Monterrey, Mexico.
Spending $40 on tacos in one night is justifiable. However, to eat the same amount of tacos every night at this price is impossible. Fortunately, Mexico City is included on my residency tour (see Second Residency: The Definitive List).
So long as I avoid the tourist trap of tacos with a view (see Don’t Pay $30 for Tacos), I will come out way ahead.
TPOL’s Tip: Tiki Taco is located at C. de Guzmán el Bueno, 69, 28015 Madrid
Pho Bo
I only like pho tai, pho with thinly cut sirloin served rare in the bowl, that cooks as I mix in the right combination of jalapenos, sprouts, sriracha, lime, and hoison. If a restaurant does not have pho tai listed on the menu, I know to move on (see Pho Edinburgh: Disappointing Adventure). Laziness is the reason I broke this rule. Vietnam Express is a two-minute walk from my apartment. What if the best pho is right outside my door? Surely, I should give it a try.
Bowl
For 10.50 euros, strangely cheaper than the spring rolls, I received the tiniest bowl.
Broth
There were no jalapenos nor hoison. The sprouts were the weird looking ones, and the lime lacked zest. In Hanoi, not being offered these accessories is normal. What is abnormal is a lukewarm broth. That is inexcusable. No wonder the beef is cooked ahead of time.
Flavor
It did not taste bad, but it was more soup than pho. Of course, I still ate it but take note that I did not finish it off as is inevitable with a great bowl.
Overall
Vietnam Express is too expensive and too bland. Given the other great dining choices (see Michelin for Lunch in Madrid? Why Not? or Mo de Movimiento Madrid: Oh de Organic Pizza or Ten Con Ten Madrid vs. City Hall Scottsdale), I doubt I’ll venture out for another bowl of pho while I am here.
What They Have in Common
Symbolism
My last visit to City Hall was April 2018 before my permanent move to Puerto Rico (see Despacito! TPOL Is Moving to Puerto Rico! Effective Inmediatamente). My first time at Ten Con Ten is part of my Madrid residency (see TPOL in Madrid: Why A Second Residency?).
Dirty Martinis
Having had a few glasses of wine before dinner (see Best Tapas Madrid: No Budget Cuts Here), I skipped the standard pre-dinner dirty martini, a staple at City Hall.
Wine
To accentuate the symbolic connection with City Hall and Ten Con Ten, take note of the bottle of wine I ordered in Scottsdale.
Ribera del Duero
At Ten Con Ten, I ordered a bottle of Tannat. The last time I had this varietal, I was in Colonia, Uruguay, having just been fired from a law firm (see “It’s Like Riding a Bike.” Those words have haunted me for years.). I’ve come a long way since then.
TPOL’s TIP: Sentimentally spending 100 euros on the wine is fine for the occasion. However, at City Hall there were solid house choices and moderately priced.
Bread
City Hall has the best pretzel bread in the world. It is complimentary.
I was surprised that Ten Con Ten charged 3.50 euros for bread and brought a second basket without asking.
The Food Lineup
Feeling like I was at City Hall from the start, I did my best to order the same items.
At Ten Con Ten, it was the wagyu carpaccio with parmesan.
Extras
You may not think it so, but the onion rings and ranch at City Hall are the best in the world.
Dessert
Having gone to City Hall so many times, we became friendly with the waiter. He sent me to Puerto Rico with this parting gift.
Perhaps, the good people at Ten Con Ten will do the same. That night I had to order dessert.
Ten con Ten was $271.
Overall
Life is great when there are places like City Hall and Ten Con Ten.
