arobmadrid's Profile
Help Identifying A Spanish Dessert/Pastry
I would describe these as being "minging" - vile confections to avoid!
Information on buying goods from Nuns/Convents in Madrid, Seville, Barcelona
It´s actually fideuá!
What are the top five Spanish foods?
They do both in Mano a Mano on Calle Lavapies...don´t know if it´s the best, but it´s pretty good!
Madrid budget Fish Restaurants
La Cazorla group (small chain of 4 or 5 restaurants) serve Andalucian food and do a delicious fritura mixta (small fish, bienmesabe, calamares, chiperones and aubergine) for 12 euros or so - one portion is more than enough for 2 people. I also recommend the Cazorla salad!
http://grupocazorla.com/
Information on buying goods from Nuns/Convents in Madrid, Seville, Barcelona
because I´m not giving you (because I don´t know) the exact address, and there isn´t a sign on the door or anything
Information on buying goods from Nuns/Convents in Madrid, Seville, Barcelona
There´s a convent on Calle San Bernardo in Madrid - it´s on the right, past Metro Noviciado as you walk towards Metro San Bernardo. NOBODY knows about this one - you are going to have to be intrepid. There´s a door where you can ring the bell and a nun comes out and asks you what you want - they sell "pastas" (cookies) by the box. Good luck!
Kitchen Supply Stores in Madrid?
John Doe; that is a fabulous shop, but isn't what I would call reasonably priced!
Madrid weekend
We went to Sanxenxo - the Albariño was as excellent as you said. We had navajas and scallops Gallego style (with an amazing sauce that featured a lot of pimenton and caramalized onions. I then had raya (skate) which I love, but hadn't had fror years - so delicious; the texture was perfect. My friend had bass, baked in salt - all gorgeous.
Madrid weekend
Thanks for that tip - checked it out and it looks amazing; croquetas de cabrales and fabes con almejas ( which is my favourite) mmm. Will be paying a visit to Los Asturianos for sure.
Madrid weekend
After 7 years living in La Latina, I never go there now honestly - I overdosed. Sunday we're going to La Mina on C/Alvarez de Castro for some gambas a la plancha and a few vermuts, then going down C/Ponzano, near where I live now. Lots of tavernas; no tourists; great for el tapeo - have you been round there?
I like merluza too, but I have it all the time; taking your rec on the Albariño at Sanxenxo though xx
Madrid weekend
Thank you both - they both look spectacular. I have a friend coming this weekend who wants to splurge on fish and oysters.
Checked out the menu in English for him to look at - it's hilarious; snuff with sauce of hedgehogs;wild turbot to the oven on a bed of potatoes to poor - he's going to wonder where the hell I'm taking him. I'm definitely trying the lamprey; always wanted to; if I don't die from a surfeit, I'll post again!
1st time to Spain...Madrid or Barcelona?
Can't you do both? It only takes about 4 hours now on the train from Madrid to Barca. Madrid still has the best vibe and nightlife, although it isn't as beautiful as Barca. Catalans are more serious, and unimpressed by you speaking Spanish! You can visit Toledo, El Escorial and or Segovia easily from Madrid too.
Casual family dinners in Madrid during Xmas week
Well I see they have fabes con almejas (butter beans with clams) so I may try it myself!. Arroz caldoso con bogavante (soupy rice with lobster) sounds good too. This is all very hearty stuff!
Picón
I want to share my discovery of this cheese with you (with apologies for those who already know it)
It's from Cantabria; a super tangy, creamy smelly blue cheese, made from cow, sheep and goat milk - I like it more than the better known cabrales. The full name is Picón Bejes-Treviso
Casual family dinners in Madrid during Xmas week
My little family still loves La Cazorla - no tourists! There are four; we usually go to the one in Calle Castelló ( large no-smoking salon), but also like the one in Montesa. If you go, watch out for the huge portions; it's easy to over-order - for example, the Cazorla salad (which is wonderful) is plenty for three or four people if you are having other entrantes too. I always have the fritura de la casa - couldn't eat a whole order by myself tho´!
http://www.grupocazorla.com/
Turrones
A quick tip for anyone visiting Madrid over Christmas, and wanting to purchase the typical sweets eaten at this time of year. Casa Mira, which is in Carrera de San Jerónimo nº 34, is famous for quality, and very near Sol; be prepared to queue! Another place I recommend is the Antigua Pasteleria del Pozo, in Calle del Pozo, 8. It's a tiny little street, again very near to Sol. They do delicious marzapan, suizos, epanadas, pastelitos...well worth a visit.
Suggestion for Madrid and Barcelona
Yikes JohnDoe - kinda heavy for summer, no? I'm sweating just thinking about cocido right now!
Portugal trip report - longish
The cheeses are a revelation too aren't they? The clever Lusos keep them for themselves!
We still remember the fish roe we had, grilled outside a restaurant in Setubal a few years ago; sublimely simple and delicious.
Thanks for your report - it's reminded me I have to visit again soon. Glad you enjoyed it so much xx
Sushi in Madrid (and/or Barcelona)
I love 19 sushi bar on Calle Salud - It's actually Japanese/Peruvian - quite pricey, but original, and very attractive.
Your favorite places in Lisbon and Madrid to celebrate a 40th birthday getaway!
glad someone tried La Cazorla at last, and very glad you liked it - as you say, it's a nice neighborhood restaurant; decent price and quality. We love the plates of salted almonds that they leave you to nibble on while you wait.
Madrid: where can one eat well with food friendly kids in tow
Dantxari looks amazing - I'm especially impressed by their dessert menu; no mention of prices that I could see on the website - could you give me an approximate idea?
Ethnic eats in Madrid
Not bad Juan! Can I add to that "El Rey de los Tallerines" on Calle San Bernadino? It's Thai, but the owners are from Singapor - they make the noodles there (it's quite a spectacle), and the prices are very reasonable - red and green thai curry as well as the noodle dishes.
My favourite Moroccan restaurant is "El Alhambra" on Calle de Tribulete -it's near the Plaza de Lavapies. It is a bit off putting at first, as it's often filled with Moroccan gentleman and no one else (although at the weekend there is a more varied clientele). However, take the Moroccan patronage as a good sign, because they serve authentic, not gussied up, cheap Moroccan food - great tagines, couscous and soups. We love it (did I say how amazingly cheap it was?) Nice and clean too. Walk a bit further up this road, and there is a fabulous Moroccan sweet shop.
Shout out for my Mexican friends' newly opened Lulu Taco Bar on Calle Luna 22 - great food, nice ambience.
Attire and Tipping
I live in Madrid, where the second and closing points you made are not true.
Attire and Tipping
Harters, 800 euros a month is "una miseria"; it's true, waiters do earn around this sum, usually for working the lunch and dinner service for 6 days a week. Are you suggesting being a waiter is an esteemed job in Spain? Even "mil euristas" are pitied - it's almost impossible to live on 1,000 euros a month in Spain, which used to be cheap but is now expensive.
I worked part-time in a bar in Madrid for some years, and we would take home maybe 6 euros tips on a good night. All tips were shared, and most people left nothing; however, when an American would leave 5 or 10 euros, we did REALLY appreciate it!
Tapas Madrid
I just found this article from The Guardian, with quite a good list of know and lesser known places to have tapas in Madrid: http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2009/may/16/madrid-best-modern-tapas-bars
Dining report: Barcelona and Madrid
Glad you had a good time in Madrid - thanks for the report!
