I've received an email from Karen, chef/owner at Memento, to say that due to continuous "red tape issues" with the local council she's going to have to close the restaurant. It's sad that someone who has tried to do something a little different in Madrid has been brought down by bureaucracy. The capital is hardly teeming with Californian cuisine. Let's hope that Sudestada manages to get through its own fight with the council. I think they finished fitting out there new space in Calle Ponzano about a year ago and still haven't been allowed to move in. Anyway, that's the bad news. The good news (for the opportunists among us) is that there will be a fire sale this Sunday and Monday (19/20th). I've been told that everything must go. Wines will be sold off at cost price (see www.restaurantememento.com for the full list) and all reasonable offers will be accepted for cutlery, crockery, furniture, chefs' hats, little blue plasters for your fingers. The only thing not available will be the Thermomix, as my wife has her eye on that. In the event of a bidding war, there will be only one loser: me! I've been told I have to bring it home whatever happens. Happy bargain hunting.