Hi - on my move back from Madrid I lost my most incredible takeout rotisserie chicken (pollo asado). In Greenwich Village I have tried Citerella, Whole Foods and Dean and Delucca - sad excuses for chicken. I found Dirty Bird on the web but it does not deliver to the NYU area. Any suggestions that beat the above three places; if no delivery, should be the NYU/Central Village area. Thanks in advance.
Neal

-----
Dirty Bird
204 W 14th St, New York, NY 10011

I just checked La Cazorla on google, looks like they have several resos. Are they more or less the same or is the one on Castelló the best. Anyway, have to check it out, is about three blocks from where I am working this year (Juan March). Neal

Having been in Madrid for two months now, we decided to branch out into Indian food. Having heard there were decent places on Lavapies, all of which were crowded, we chose one (do not remember name, was #42). Alas, my rule on never going to a restaurant that needs a hooker (male bringing you into restaurant, not someone with a short skirt who is working) remains correct. Horrible. Even the onion bajee (bazee) was terrible. And bland, would have been an embarassment in the American midwest.

So, since I still am interested in sometimes eating other than Italian or Spanish, does anyone have any specific recommendations for Moroccan (seems like it would be the best choice) or some Asian (non-Japanese, they are easy to find) resto near the center. Presumably Lavapies is the right barrio, but my experience last night scares me.

Gracias
Neal

Their website worked fine and they responded in a timely manner. As posted elsewhere, the have a 1:45 seating (though lots of people seemed to be eating when we arrived at 1:50) and then a second "waiting list" at 3PM, though given our experience, one is likely to be seated close to 3PM.
Enjoy
neal

Perhaps my experience at Jose Maria was less than overwhelming because on Friday we had a really great time at Mano a Mano (on C/ Lavapies, though closer to Tirso de Molinas than Lavapies). An incredibly gracious owner (a Scot who has lived in Madrid for many years). I think everyone else there was a regular, since we were the only ones not be greeted with the traditional dos besos. An infinitely better patata starter (with onions) than at Jose Maria, and my wife had an excellent sea bream baked in salt. I had the cod with a choice of five preparations, choosing the one with a variety of cooked veggies. My daughter had a very nice duck. Only my wife's fish was to die for, but one in three isn't bad. The whole experience was really quite excellent. About 70€ with a bottle of house wine. The place is small.

Neal

Finally made it to Jose Maria today - reservations really are necessary.

I have very mixed feelings about the place.

We were three (including my wife and 13 year old who is quite a chowhound). Knowing how large the servings are, and not being used to huge portions of meat, we had one serving of cochinillo asada (a lower quarter, so one does not have the excitement of seeing the whole pig, but we saw enough at the nearby serving station) but they do not serve the standard lamb as less than two servings, so we had the Rinconada de cerderiito. We also ordered what I assumed would be a starter, their "temtempie tradicionel" of patatas y lomo abadad.

The rinoncitos were fabulous - never would have ordered if I had a better dictionary, but the small pieces of kidney (I think!) were incredibly succulent. The prunes were also great. The lamb was fine. The the cochinillo and the corderito were fine; I am not a maven, so I would say they were as good but no better than Botin's.

The temtempie tradicional was almost all patatas with little lomo asado. Was okay but not great and I would not get again.

I would have been a quite happy camper, but I have never felt so rushed in
Spain before. They brought all three dishes at once, which made it quite hard to enjoy and much too much food at one time. Perhaps because we were three they thought we each had one dish, though I thought I made it clear that the patatas were for starting (but would not be the first time my Spanish was misunderstood). However, the plunked down a postres menu before we had even finished the entrees. I think we were out in about 1 1//4 (max 1.5) hours. Note that made the 3PM folks happy. And I note that other tables seemed to be going more or less at our pace (though at least those having salads had them before the meat).

So a bit less great than I would have hoped. But then it was only about 70E including water and a glass of wine each (and, I think rightfully, no tip). Also made it hard to do anything else in Segovia the rest of the afternoon, though Segovia doesn't have all that much that just must be done.

The lamb kidneys did convince me that Jose Maria can do a really good job on interesting dishes. I am glad the standard corderito was for two, so we had to get something more interesting.

Neal

Just found another place near La Latina that is quite good and open hours that work for me (and doesn't seem to run out of chicken). Casa Adela, C/ de Embajadores.
http://maps.google.com/maps?cbp=11,31...
Enjoy
Neal

Como siempre, muchas gracias. Neal

I have been sampling the wonders of the hams at Mas in the Mercado San Miguel in Madrid. However, I have been overwhelmed at the choices. I can figure out the difference between Iberico and Serrano and at least try to make a cost/benefit calculation on whether bellota is worth it. But there seem to be many other subtle distinctions that escape both me and my Spanish (and my google skills). Does anyone have a good web site on the subtle differences between the various ibericos? Or, is it like ser/estar, one has to be born here to get all the subtleties?

Muchas gracias
Neal

Gracias. My spanish was not good enough to figure out why there was a waiting list for 1500. Do you happen to know if one is likely to wait more than half an hour on a Sunday in late Sept.? (And I was wondering how anyone in Spain could boot people out after 75 minutes.)

Yes, we have booked the train, have learned my lessons on that the hard way.
Neal

I just heard back from Jose Maria - if interested, they only have two seatings on weekend afternoons at 13:45 and 15:00. Neal

Gracias. We should have a La Latina gathering! Neal

I have only been in the neigborhood a few weeks, but many really good places nearby. I particularly like El Ventorillo Murciano - very amiable. It is small so would book ahead. In Chueca we have enjoyed Arce. If you like MEAT, Asador Fronton right at Tirso de Molina. In my own square, Plaza de la Paja, we have enjoyed the basque tapas at Taberno Bilbao, but it would take a lifetime of eating to compare all the tapas places within a stone's throw.

Sorry to say, but the market at Plaza Cebada seems a bit dreary - every time I have been the majority of stalls are closed (it looks like permanently, else a long summer break). Mercado San Miguel, as others have posted, is a very upscale modern place (in a cool old iron building), for me a great place to pick up dinner (and a very lively place in the evening, it is as much a nice bar as a market). Moving further away, we like Arce in Chueca, but folks seem to disagree.

Also, while it is probably bad form to list another board, if you read Spanish, take a look at 11870.

Enjoy (hard not to).
neal

Hi
We will be taking a day trip from Madrid to Segovia this Sunday (gracias, AVANT) and want to lunch at Jose Maria. I prefer not to make reservations since that ties us down. Does anyone know if they are needed for Sunday afternoon at this time of year. Muchas Gracias. Neal

We are in Madrid for the year, so not quite local. But my colleagues from Madrid tell me that perhaps 5% is right (from nothing to breakage at a bar). No one has ever seemed unhappy. This is on top of the approximately 1.5€ per person charge for bread.

Made it to Asadores de Pollo Navarro yesterday, quite good. Was lucky to go there at 2:45 since they are only open 11-3. And I got the last chicken, several people were turned away birdless. Now I know that asadores de pollo exist, I hope to find several more that fit my work schedule. Thanks to all. And do try this place if you want chicken at home.
Neal

Muchas gracias. Neal

Gracias. Interesting how customs vary (which is what makes life interesting). And I have now learned the word polleria and so am in the process of JFGI.

Hola
Having just arrived for a year near La Latina, and forced by a school age child to eat at home many nights, I am wondering if anyone knows a good place (or even a place) to get take out roast chicken near Plaza de la Paja. Have found most everything else in Mercado San Miguel or the local market near La Latina. But have not found roast chicken, a staple of my cusine in Manhattan and Paris. Any help appreciated. For those who have not been, Mercado San Miguel is a v ery nice upscale artisanal market, which also houses several places to eat and drink.

TIA
Neal

Just finished a month in Santander studying Spanish. Thanks to those who made suggestions. For various reasons we did not do the highest end places (eg El Puertal) but did eat well at what by Manhattan standards are moderate prices. We mostly ate pescado rather than mariscos. All the places we ate at served only a few fish on their menus, given the season and what appeared on the fishing boats that morning. Typically cooked simply (a la planca or al horno) and always was good. And my first experience of chiparones, which I loved.

Our favorite resto was Bar del Peurto, which had a great combination of wonderful fish and a very nice atmosphere (though I did find out the hard way that pantalones are required there, even in Agusto). The fish soup was wonderful.

We had very nice meals at the bottom of Tetuan (about 4 small places in a row), and the more upscale La Mulata across the street. Other than getting tired of pescado, all were just fine (none fabulous, but we were neither expecting or paying for that).

We were staying in Sardinero, so we ate a few quicker dinners at Canadio(?) right near the beach (Juan de Costa?) which was more than acceptable. We also had very nice paella (marisco of course) at Los Infantes on the street of the same name.

Lots of good pinchos for lunch on General Mola and Pena Herbosa and other streets near Saez de Sautoloa.

In short, we ate quite nicely, though nothing really exquisite. But I would have been happy with almost all these dinners (at that price) in Manhattan on all but the most special nights. And I love the price of the rioja which made up for the weak dollar.

Thanks again for all the help.

Neal

All I can tell you is that we greatly enjoyed El Ventorrillo Murciano (C\ Tres Peces 20) not far from La Latina - not touristy, a most pleasant dinner.
Neal

Muchas gracias. Neal

Hi
My family will be spending a month in Santander in August hopefully learning Spanish. We are renting a flat near the Sardinero beach. I have not seen much for Santander on this board; anyone have any nice places (obviously want to be the only gringo there, prefer incredibly great and free, but will settle for nice fresh seafood or tapas without too many people like me).

TIA
Neal

This is all great and the type of stuff I need. I was hoping for The Chowhounds Guide to Madrid (en espanol) but these are all incredibly helpful. And I am sure that we will enjoy the hunt for great places. it was most encouraging that right across the place (de la Paja) from our flat is a really nice Basque Tapas place! Even living in the heart of Greenwich Village, I have to walk at least 5 times as far as that to get to our first favorite place!.

Thanks again
neal

Hola

I have been a regular reader/poster on Chowhounds/Manhattan since I moved there. I am going to spend August in Santander and then the next year in Madrid (La Latina). When I moved to NY I found that Zagat and the NY Times was pretthy good at getting me started til Iknew my way around. Alas, Zagat is almost useless for Madrid. So can any recommend a decent compilation of restos in Madrid (I assume a search on Santander will turn up the 10 recommended places pretty easily). Obviously want the rests that are exquisite, free, I am the only American, etc. I was lucky to find El Ventorrillo Murciano on this board during my visit to Madrid last week, but there are even more inviting restos within 5 minutes of our flat in Pl. de la Paja than I have at a similar distance in Greenwich Village. So want to maximize my time in what looks like Chowhound heaven.

TIA, and simply pointing me to a url would be great

adios
neal

Thanks. Looks good. Instead of the usual highway signs for gas/food/lodging, there should be added "Chowhounds approved food at this exit."

Neal

Hi - we are driving from Manhattan to Boston on Thurs evening and need a stop for dinner around Hartford. Obviously would like to be close to the highway (I84), and obviously do not want a long fancy dinner. But also do not want Denny's. Any suggestions for a decent Thai or Indian or Mexican place that would not slow us down to much.
TIA
Neal