I have not got enough time on my hands to go all out on what I think about all my latest forays around the city of Madrid. I am indeed a little fearful that on the not so touristy side I might go for the jugular on, for example, the state medical services (good grief), more strikes (heavens above) or residential building standards (for goodness sake). Anyhow, I will (more calmingly) just concentrate for now on three discreet little places worth poking your greedy little nose into when you come visit the fabulously unorthodox city that is Madrid. Buen Provecho!!
There are no end of traditional Tavernas in Madrid which do a fine job at a great price. The further way you get from the touristy core though, it is fair to say that things only get better, both in terms of service, product and price. The traditional taverna is a place where you could effectively camp out all day and have breakfast dinner and supper and then grab a few beers and pass the rest of the evening stuck in garrulous conversation while throwing your eye over the large screen TV blaring out the commentary on the latest league match. Frankly, I hate soccer. My unabashedly biased view is that there is an unhealthy addiction to it in Madrid. It seems to act as some sort of tribal mechanism whereby Madrileños get to pound their chest and express their collective masculinity in an overtly tactile manner and without a care in the world as to whether they are causing disruption or disturbance or nuisance to other citizens. Well at least there is one taverna where the TV is mostly OFF. Yahoo. But that is not the only reason to like the Taverna de Moncloa at 45, Calle Andres Mellado. They have totally delicious, (sinful even), croquettes, Andalucian bread with tomatoes and garlic, great jarritas of beer, a gregarious and friendly staff all day and night, a buzzy friendly mixed clientele old and young and . . . well, they just have a great thing going on. Their coffee and pulga breakfast deal at €2.20 is a real treat to start the day (that is a cafè con leche, a slice of warm freshly made tortilla and a fine fat sandwich of your choice (the patè is my favourite!). The best time for supper is about 8.30pm (you need to book!). Yummy yum yum. Come out stuffed, sated, fed and watered (read "beered") on great home cooking for as little as €10.00! I do not know how they do it, but I just hope they keep on doing it (and without the football blaring!). Now where is my wallet . . . (You can book on Tel: 91 549 11 43)
Love Italian? Love Sapori di Sicilia at 15, Calle Francisco de Ricci. This might be a bit of a long shot for most weekend visitors to Madrid as it is about a thirty minute walk north from Plaza del Sol. But if you are looking for great, authentic Italian cooking at a great price, then you really need to do yourself a favour and stretch those legs. The boys in Saperi are the real deal; from the kitchen to the front door Italian all the way and they have taken a huge big leaf out of Mamma's cook book and applied it deliziosamente! The hand made parcels of home made pasta filled with pear and spek in a creamy Gorgonzola sauce was the nutritional equivalent of a year of psychotherapy. And only a toothless, gumless, aardvark could turn a nose up at the Canelo with its crisp cracking biscuit coat wrapped around a glorious fondant interior. Holy St. Francis of Assisi! As though I was not near enough the point of ecstasy, they had to deliver a little shot bottle of Limoncello on the house. Table for two and with wine less than sixty euro in all! Some might say this may be heading a little north budget for Madrid but, for quality product, I say unbeatable (www.saporidisicilia.org).
These days when you a signpost for Sushi (I am using this as the generic term for all things fishy, raw and Japanesey!) hanging from an Asian restaurant, there is every chance your getting some chancer the business, but I like my sushi as authentic as it gets (being on the wrong side of the planet and all). If the chef ain't Japanese, I might even settle for a Korean take on the classic eastern delight, but please spare me the big ricey-eggy-fakery. NIPPON at Calle Los Madrazos is a Japanese/ Korean affair with a fine menu from hot authentic Kimchi dishes to Teriyaki and, Yay!!!, great sushi, fresh, perfect temperature (not warm but not too cold) and the best tasting fish. Shared platters are anything from €20 to €50 and all are adequately generous. The friendly waiting staff (polite as only the Japanese can be) had little English when we visited and some only had broken Spanish, (no complaint as this could be your chance to practice your Japanese!). Service is prompt and efficient. The surroundings are aptly decored with woven table matts, dark wood furnishings and sharply contrasting light and angles. The tables have ample room between them for diners who cherish their own intimate space or there is an option to eat traditional style (cross legged on the floor). This is abit uncomfortable for those of us with long gangly legs and creaking hips, but it is a delight to watch the traditional service, including the removal of slippers, bowing and reversing. All great I suppose for the yoga addicts who like to practice while they eat. Meanwhile, I say stay focused on the scrumptious menu offerings. Next time I must remember the Sake . . . (http://www.nipponmadrid.com/)
Now about the health service . . .
There are no end of traditional Tavernas in Madrid which do a fine job at a great price. The further way you get from the touristy core though, it is fair to say that things only get better, both in terms of service, product and price. The traditional taverna is a place where you could effectively camp out all day and have breakfast dinner and supper and then grab a few beers and pass the rest of the evening stuck in garrulous conversation while throwing your eye over the large screen TV blaring out the commentary on the latest league match. Frankly, I hate soccer. My unabashedly biased view is that there is an unhealthy addiction to it in Madrid. It seems to act as some sort of tribal mechanism whereby Madrileños get to pound their chest and express their collective masculinity in an overtly tactile manner and without a care in the world as to whether they are causing disruption or disturbance or nuisance to other citizens. Well at least there is one taverna where the TV is mostly OFF. Yahoo. But that is not the only reason to like the Taverna de Moncloa at 45, Calle Andres Mellado. They have totally delicious, (sinful even), croquettes, Andalucian bread with tomatoes and garlic, great jarritas of beer, a gregarious and friendly staff all day and night, a buzzy friendly mixed clientele old and young and . . . well, they just have a great thing going on. Their coffee and pulga breakfast deal at €2.20 is a real treat to start the day (that is a cafè con leche, a slice of warm freshly made tortilla and a fine fat sandwich of your choice (the patè is my favourite!). The best time for supper is about 8.30pm (you need to book!). Yummy yum yum. Come out stuffed, sated, fed and watered (read "beered") on great home cooking for as little as €10.00! I do not know how they do it, but I just hope they keep on doing it (and without the football blaring!). Now where is my wallet . . . (You can book on Tel: 91 549 11 43)
Love Italian? Love Sapori di Sicilia at 15, Calle Francisco de Ricci. This might be a bit of a long shot for most weekend visitors to Madrid as it is about a thirty minute walk north from Plaza del Sol. But if you are looking for great, authentic Italian cooking at a great price, then you really need to do yourself a favour and stretch those legs. The boys in Saperi are the real deal; from the kitchen to the front door Italian all the way and they have taken a huge big leaf out of Mamma's cook book and applied it deliziosamente! The hand made parcels of home made pasta filled with pear and spek in a creamy Gorgonzola sauce was the nutritional equivalent of a year of psychotherapy. And only a toothless, gumless, aardvark could turn a nose up at the Canelo with its crisp cracking biscuit coat wrapped around a glorious fondant interior. Holy St. Francis of Assisi! As though I was not near enough the point of ecstasy, they had to deliver a little shot bottle of Limoncello on the house. Table for two and with wine less than sixty euro in all! Some might say this may be heading a little north budget for Madrid but, for quality product, I say unbeatable (www.saporidisicilia.org).
These days when you a signpost for Sushi (I am using this as the generic term for all things fishy, raw and Japanesey!) hanging from an Asian restaurant, there is every chance your getting some chancer the business, but I like my sushi as authentic as it gets (being on the wrong side of the planet and all). If the chef ain't Japanese, I might even settle for a Korean take on the classic eastern delight, but please spare me the big ricey-eggy-fakery. NIPPON at Calle Los Madrazos is a Japanese/ Korean affair with a fine menu from hot authentic Kimchi dishes to Teriyaki and, Yay!!!, great sushi, fresh, perfect temperature (not warm but not too cold) and the best tasting fish. Shared platters are anything from €20 to €50 and all are adequately generous. The friendly waiting staff (polite as only the Japanese can be) had little English when we visited and some only had broken Spanish, (no complaint as this could be your chance to practice your Japanese!). Service is prompt and efficient. The surroundings are aptly decored with woven table matts, dark wood furnishings and sharply contrasting light and angles. The tables have ample room between them for diners who cherish their own intimate space or there is an option to eat traditional style (cross legged on the floor). This is abit uncomfortable for those of us with long gangly legs and creaking hips, but it is a delight to watch the traditional service, including the removal of slippers, bowing and reversing. All great I suppose for the yoga addicts who like to practice while they eat. Meanwhile, I say stay focused on the scrumptious menu offerings. Next time I must remember the Sake . . . (http://www.nipponmadrid.com/)
Now about the health service . . .
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