Eating in Madrid

O

Odd Rydland

Odd Rydland
I will be in Madrid with my wife and grown up daughter in early July, and we are looking for recommendations re eating . We will be staying a few hundred meters from the Prado. I am not looking for Michelin stars, but recommended tapas places for lunch and a good dinner place. Also rec's re reservations if possible. Thanks!
 
I had one of the most memorable meals of my life at Asturianos (Calle de Vallehermoso, 94 28003 Madrid) -- a quick cab ride from the Prado and very low key. To give you the short story- I was in a justifiably foul mood (completely unrelated to them), and they bent over backwards and delivered some of the most astonishing, simple food I've ever had (favorites: cockles and tomatoes; a plate of porcinis and olive oil). We just asked them to bring food out to us (because I was too tired and angry to think about food); meanwhile we availed ourselves of a surprisingly good Champagne list (because I'm never too angry for that). I left quite happy, and I'm pretty sure I will forever proselytize this restaurant.
 
originally posted by collin wolfe:
I had one of the most memorable meals of my life at Asturianos (Calle de Vallehermoso, 94 28003 Madrid) -- a quick cab ride from the Prado and very low key. To give you the short story- I was in a justifiably foul mood (completely unrelated to them), and they bent over backwards and delivered some of the most astonishing, simple food I've ever had (favorites: cockles and tomatoes; a plate of porcinis and olive oil). We just asked them to bring food out to us (because I was too tired and angry to think about food); meanwhile we availed ourselves of a surprisingly good Champagne list (because I'm never too angry for that). I left quite happy, and I'm pretty sure I will forever proselytize this restaurant.
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Thanks. That's the kind of info I'm looking for.
 
If you like sherry - definitely hit La Venencia bar on Calle de Echegaray - they only serve sherry and from wooden casks, and also serve little snacks with each sherry.

For some little gifts / sweets, stop by La Violeta, an old school, tiny little shop.

For tapas nearby the Prado, Garcia de la Navarra and Arzabal.

For some Basque cooking, check out Chef Inaki Camba's cooking at Arce - went there for a long lunch and he sat at the table to take our order and guide us through ordering (ignoring the menu in front of us).

A little further from the Prado, Taberna Matritum is a rustic, little, traditional spot and El Mollete is cozy and casual (book ahead) - trust the owner when ordering, it's fun.

Food markets: La Paz in Salamanca and Mercado de San Miguel (not really a market, more food stalls, coffee bars and tapas restaurants.

Close to San Miguel is La Chocolateria de San Gines that everyone loves for chocolate and churros, but I preferred the chocolate at Cacao Sampaka (and if you head here, check out Poncelet for cheese).
 
You shouldn´t miss Taberna Laredo and Garcia la Nvarra excellent food and wines, and one of the best restaurant in Madrid is Restaurante Sacha but not a very good wines list.
 
Laredo is great; very honest, impeccably sourced and respectfully prepared food; killer wine list, especially Champagne and Jura.
 
My 2 cents...just confirming what others have said and adding a couple more places

Laredo and Garcia de la Navarra are a must in tapas + wine category. Book at least with a week in advance for Laredo; 5-6 days for García de la Navarra. Other options would be Cuenllas (great wine shop too, just beside the bar) or Asturianos

If you choose to go to Garcia de la Navarra, you should head up afterwards to the 6th floor of Madrid's townhall located just by the restaurant. Beautiful roof-top bar and fantastic view of Cibeles, Gran Vía and Castellana

Near Prado a very good, inexpensive place for fried fish Andalucian style and a bottle of fino or manzanilla is La Caleta. You will be transported to Cadiz, in the South of Spain, where the owners are from. Try the Tortillitas de Camarones (Shrimp tortilla), puntillitas (fried small calamari) and boquerones (fried anchovies). I would go to the one in calle Santa Isabel

If you are (and you will) be close to Puerta del Sol a not to miss place for lunch is StreetXO, in Callao's El Corte Inglés department store (9th Floor). It is the 3 Michelin star David Muñoz's second restaurant, with a killer mix of Spanish tapas with oriental fusion. Only walk ins. Good view, by the way

For wonderful sushi and a place to dine, Kabuki is a great choice. They have two venues, both with 1*. The Wellington restaurant is where the owner cooks, although is a tad more expensive. Amazing wine list. Prices are steep but produce is worth it

For dinner, another great option is Sacha, also mentioned above. Nice terraze in the summertime. Confirmed that the wine list is on the modern side and not so appealing, but you can sure find something from Rioja or Ribera. Be sure to reserve 2-3 weeks in advance. Other recommendations for great "traditional" food are, in this order: Viridiana, La Buena Vida, Arce and La Tasquita de Enfrente

Sudestada and Triciclo for fantastic asian fusion; Punto MX is a great mexican place

Enjoy Madrid!
 
Thank you all, and especially Ignacio for his last post. Asturianos is booked, and I will look into a couple of other things as works schedeules are gradually easing off. Laredo is bookmarked.

Just yesterday I got confirmation for lunch with Niepoort's winemaker at their estate in Tedo, close to Pinhao. Needlessly to say I'm looking forward to it. I also have a confirmation for lunch at Asadore Etxebarri in Axpo, I was there last summer and had an amazing experience.
 
Thanks Ignacio, I'm in Madrid once or twice a year so this is appreciated.

Odd, a few experiences from my last visit in March:

The Cuenllas wine list was impressive, but on this evening the food was a disappointment.

The best pulpo and chipirones I had all week was at La Lenera. Fire roasted and incredibly tender. Very low-key, down to earth place.

My colleagues are all about Gabinoteca, a goofy, irreverent modern place. It's about as far from traditional as can be imagined so avoid if that's what you're after. I find the dishes all over the map, some are nice and others WTF. Gutierrez amontillado by the glass for 3 euros, though.

Casa Benigna is a paella restaurant that takes their craft quite seriously, you get a little history lesson and lecture at the start of the meal and they commission (and sell) their own extra heavy duty paella cookware. I found the paella itself a bit strange, very crunchy and with a distinct soy sauce flavor. The starters however were incredible, some of the heartiest and most delicious flavors I had all week.

It's a tourist trap and priced accordingly, but I love the gambas al ajillo at La Casa del Abuelo in Sol and always manage to visit.
 
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