Madrid Recommendations

[nikkib]

ok so there should have been a bit more on here - my parents are venturing to madrid for the first time and would love to know about some local favourites, nothing fancy - just good honest local food. are there any madrid equivalents of Cal Pep? What should they bring back? Thanks for any advice you might have

[jesteinf]

Bumping this thread.

I'll be in Madrid for 2 nights in June. The second night we're there we're planning on doing tapas (Taberna Tempranillo/Txirimiri/la Camarilla) but I need some help with the first night.

It will be our first night in town after flying in from Chicago. We'll want to do something casual and sit-down (rather than deal with tapas). I'd love to stick with something local/simple, maybe something seafood oriented. I was looking at Botin, but it sounds like it might be a bit of a tourist trap.

Not sure where we're staying yet (I've narrowed it down to a few hotels).

Any help would be much appreciated.

[Rogelio]

If you're staying in the very center, El Cucurucho del mar at Postigo de San Martín 6 can be a good option for affordable seafood.

La Giralda II in Hartzenbush or Alborán in Ponzano are two good choices for andalusiean style deep fried fishes.

Norte y Sur in Bravo Murillo 95 is a new and very popular haunt to sample good fishes simply prepared a la plancha

And if you're looking for a splurge galician style Naveira do Mar, La Castañal or Casa Adriano are three good directions in the popular Tetuan district.

Also, if you're going for tapas in the old madrid, the only not to miss dish at Txirimiri is the ultra sweet version of the spanish tortilla. The beef cheeks are great too. Also think in adding Casa Lucas to your tapas crawl.

[jesteinf]

Thank you Rogelio. With the exception of Txirimiri, do any of the places mentioned take reservations (or are they even necessary)?

[drosendorf]

Also, if you're going for tapas in the old madrid, the only not to miss dish at Txirimiri is the ultra sweet version of the spanish tortilla. The beef cheeks are great too. Also think in adding Casa Lucas to your tapas crawl.

←

A hearty second for Casa Lucas. I thought it was excellent.

Edited March 30, 2009 by drosendorf (log)

[Rogelio]

Thank you Rogelio.  With the exception of Txirimiri, do any of the places mentioned take reservations (or are they even necessary)?

←

All the restaurants accept reservations, but the tapas bars don't, even if they have tables you have to ask for one when you arrive there, so be early (which means 13,30 for lunch or 20,30 for dinner)

[dan bread]

Hi, this doesn't exactly meet the brief, but on a recent Madrid trip I went to a couple of sit down places which I loved: asador imanol for a mighty steak (chuleta) and Dantxari for Basque food. Both have websites and it was easy to make reservations.

Oh to be in Madrid!

[Rogelio]

Indeed, two very good addresses.

Edited April 6, 2009 by Rogelio (log)

[butterfly]

Marisquería Norte-Sur is new? I've been going there for years... Did it change hands? I haven't been for a few months.

[rmillman]

We will be in Madrid the first week of May.

We have gotten reservations at Sergi Arola gastro but have not heard back from Terraza or Santceloni (at least the last one is currently closed until after easter).

I have not heard much about these places despite their much celebrated chefs. Any recent eaters with anything to report?

Thanks

[kathryn]

Has anyone dined at El Mollete? It got a mention a few months ago in the New York Times. I've been Googling for reviews but all I get are reprints of the NYT article.

[vserna]

Tiny, tiny tavern. Good comfort-food offerings in 'ración' (large tapas) form. Cash only. About 30 euros with wine.

[kathryn]

Thank you!

Has anybody been to Botin recently? I know it's very touristy, and probably overpriced, but was it worth it? I'm mostly interested in the suckling pig, and probably won't have time to do a day trip out to Segovia.

[Harters]

We're planning a couple of nights in Madrid in May, specifically to visit the Thyssen.

Mrs H has visited the city before and eaten at the Botin. Although popular with tourists, she liked it and suggests we have one dinner there.

I'd like us to also find a good asador. Anywhere recommended?

John

[Rogelio]

Botin is an asador, touristic, but an asador specially famous for their roasted kid.

If ou're looking for red meat, Ansorena, Pelotari and Imanol are my current favourites. And if you're looking for roasted lamb, Asador Tierra Aranda is a good address.

[jayvalle42]

Hi all- i was just reading thru all the great recommendations for Madrid as i will be heading their in October. I do have one question - i am interested in hitting up Sergi Arola Gastro but cannot find a working phone number!? does anyone have any info in regards to how to contact them? Any help would be greatly appreciated - thanks - Jason

[jayvalle42]

Ok scratch that last post - I spoke to the restaurant - casual is fine for October they said. That being said I do have a question and if any one can help out it would be great. We will be in Madrid from the 8th until the 16th and during that time we are eating at Hacienda Benazuza outside of Seville in the middle of the week and Sergi Arola Gastro on our last night in town. My question is: between La Broche or Diverxo which would you recommend for the beginning of the week? Or are all the places a bit to similar in cuisine - meaning too much "molecular gastonomy". I do not need to eat 3 major meals all revolving around the same style of cuisine (2 will be plentyt)! Any input would be helpful. Thanks - Jason

[Rogelio]

I wouldn't calify any of these restaurants in the "Molecular Gastronomy" section, only Hacienda Benazuza and being very careful, could be categorized as MG. Sergi Arola Gastro serves classic cooking with a modern approach.

Then DiverXO is IMHO the most exciting restaurant in Madrid nowadays, if you manage to get a reservation it is well worth the effort.

I don't know how are the things going at La Broche since Sergi Arola left.

Maybe you could consider Club Allard, Freixa or if you can get a car El Bohio as other interesting alternatives.

[jayvalle42]

I am going to take your suggestion and shoot for DiverXO...what kind of food is - how would you describe it...the translated version of their website is a bit off! Thanks - Jason

Edited September 7, 2010 by jayvalle42 (log)

[Rogelio]

Diverxo is the hardes restaurant to get a reservation nowadays in Madrid. They serve a chinese/oriental approach to spanish cooking. As a friend defined it: "The food is neither Spanish nor Asian, but a creative interplay of different idioms in a very personal statement"

I wrote something here when they opened on their former location.

[jayvalle42]

Thanks again - i am going to try my best to nail a reservation -- i need to get up at 3am NY time to try but i will give it a go...again thank you and will let you know if i get one...any other ideas you may have i am open to...Jason

[jayvalle42]

Hey Rogelio - I got it! I am very excited - nailed a Saturday night reservation for Diverxo -- What is the dress code for Diverxo??

ok so - our lineup of "big" dinners are as follows: Saturday - Diverxo, Wednesday - La Alqueria, Friday - Sergi Arola Gastro. what are your thoughts? should something be substituted for something else - perhaps - Restaurant La Terraza - i have read great things about it..and any suggestions you have outside of "big" dinners would be great...Thanks again - Jason

Edited September 9, 2010 by jayvalle42 (log)

[Rogelio]

The Dress code at allmost all Spanish restaurant is casual. Only La Terraza del Casino or zalacaín are still asking to wear a jacquet.

I haven't been to La Terraza del casino but it seems to be in a very good shape, the first part of the meal are the usual El Bulli's gimmicks and the main dishes are more traditional cooking. If you're going to La Alquería you'll have similar dishes to La Terraza del Casino.

Then if you're going to be in sanlúcar la Mayor, I'd try to go to Alhucemas, one of the temples of andalusian style fried fish.

Then in Madrid, Sacha is one our favourite bistrots, El Bohio is a superb crross between the modernity and the tradition and casa Jose or R. de la Calle in Aranjuez are serving superb menus based on the local vegetables. Maybe a fish and seafood feast at Combarro, La Máquina or O Pazo could be a very good alternative to the ultra sofisticated cooking.

I'm also very found of Illunbe a basque grill in the outskirts of madrid, serving great grilled fishes and superb steaks.

[jayvalle42]

A Thousand Thanks Rogelio - very much appreciated and looking forward to visiting your city and trying out all the great food! Will report when we get back. Thanks - Jason

[Rogelio]

For the record, I have just had another great meal at Sacha. They are serving now a roasted bone marrow which is to die for.