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The best value menú del dia near Malasaña? It has to be a contendor. Four full-size quality korean-chinese dishes are on offer.
The coming thing in ice cream, Gofio is a triumph among the award-winning creations at this small but stunning ice cream bar.
Gelateria La Romana
Simply the best Italian ice cream we've had so far outside Italy. The pistachio is a work of beauty.
Croquetas
at Rocablanca
A load of flavours, it's like Rodilla but with cylindrical fried things. Spinach and cheese is a revelation. Add a caña or two and join the locals for half an hour. Or maybe much longer.
Weekend Guide from Madrid No Frills
Subscribe here for the chance to download your copy.
Whimsy, history, and a little bit of party-free politics. Most importantly, there's fascination in and love for the subject. Researched superbly, written clearly and accessibly, it's an instant addition to our h:m recommended list.
Tequeños at Luar, Mercado San Fernando
It seems almost too simple. Mozzarella-style sticks deep-fried in batter. Add homemade sauces from squeezy bottles on the couner and the fun starts. A dish where you choose the tastes that suit you most. What's not to like about that kind of deal?
Pizzas at Gustami Italia
Splendid pizzas, thoughtful service. You'll struggle a bit to finish them, and even more to turn down desserts.
Chilli sauces & Tacos at La Tentacion, Mercado San Fernando
A duo of first class homemade sauces that you think should be pitched on Dragon's Den pronto as they'd clean up. Try them on the range of tacos and quesadillas or just a bowl of nachos with a beer. You'll be leaving a tip.
Manolitos at Manolo Pasteleria
Gumbo at Trikki | New Orleans
Hot, spicy. Homemade. Maybe as close as you'll get to being in the French Quarter this side of the Atlantic.
Vegan Donuts from Delish
Instant winner. A snack. A dessert. A picnic treat. Even birthday cake alternative. Delicious, nutty, chocolatey or fruity by turn.
Immensely popular already. If you're after a boxful, might be best to Fb message them to reserve.
Pumpkin Flan at Havana Blues
Now this is good stuff. And clever. It looks like your standard creme caramel, although the eagle-eyed might spot it's a bit duskier and more orange-hued than would be natural for a CC. So a spray-tanned flan? Nope. A creamy, wobbly, orangey-coloured delicious surprise.
Visiting DStage
Seafood at Ribiera Do Mino
Top class grills/parilladas filled with prawns and the like. Delicious boiled platters too, piled 25cm high with all manner of other goodies. This is the simplest cooking, but takes no less skill to make the most of the best ingredients going. Take your nutcrackers, don't forget to try the pulpo as a starter.
Queimada at Ribiera Do Mino
Hubble, bubble, toil and trouble,
Orujo, slice o' lemon and coffee at the double.
The legendary Galacian concoction is fully fuelled at RdM. You'll be ladelling liquid fire for a good few minutes, so get a friend to read out the incantation as you go. Not for the foodie faint-hearted or, to be serious for a moment, anyone nervous of naked flames, this is surely the most intense after dinner drink in town.
Peshwari Naan at Moharaj Ave Maria 26
We're can't honestly say this is the best Naan going in the MCC (cricket fans keep calm, we're talking the Madrid Curry Corner). There are some who've surely surveyed Lavapies and could do the sort of comparative tasting sessions we only dream about having the time to carry out and stamina to exercise away.
But for a sweet, tasty and self-evidently just-baked (burnt fingertips beware) burst of goodness, add this to your lunchtime repast. The remaining splodges of your curry sauces will thank you for it. Metaphorically. Obviously. Failing that, you can thank yourself. Or even us.
Classic Margarita at La Taqueria de Birrä, Comendadores.
This might just be the best Margarita in town. Better ones deserve trying, that's for sure. This is not slushy. There's no silly jug thing and unhelpful unfriendly straw. Let's face it, plastic straws suck. Nope. This is just lime, tequila and the usual suspects. Shaken, not stirred, Mr Bond. At your table. And poured into a proper cocktail glass. Sip. Carefully. If having more than two be sure to write your address on a post it and stick it somewhere the staff can see so they know where to send the taxi driver with you.
Chocolate-Orange Cake at La Jalapeña
An absolutely outstanding concoction of orange, chocolate ganache, liqueur, sponge and chilli, this is the best dessert we've had so far this year. Double points for a dish that is just as good after dinner as it would be as afternoon tea.
It had to be a Mexican restaurant, I guess. Chocolate's an aztec word, after all. But this dish, even though it's at the top of the pyramid, is no sacrifice.
Roast Lamb at Casa Maruja
Time for a jaunt out beyond the suburbs? Fancy exploring a bit of the hinterland? There's more to the north west than handbags in Las Rozas Village and tourists at El Escorial...
In the words of Jarvis Cocker, This is Hardcore. Order according to the number of eaters, expect a serving platter half the width of the table and weighing it down with kilos of meat and spuds.
The classic wood-burning oven means your lunch is infused with a spicy, smoky flavour you can only get from the real thing. You'll never watch an episode of Timmy Time the same way again.
Cafe Latte at Federal
Dreaming of fresh milk in your coffee instead of a daily dose of UHT? After a decent-sized big mug not your typical cup 'n' saucer job? Need froth more than a fish needs a bicycle? Or a hipster needs a puncture repair kit?
It's not the cheapest in town. You'll be surrounded by tech-toting millenials or, if you're really lucky, some joker might decide to set up their folding bike in front of you. But you'll probably be back for another as this is a classy cup's worth that's as good as any we've had.
No IT allowed at weekends these days, but even so, be prepared to queue to get in.
Pork Loin in Mustard/Solomillo con Mostaza at Lamian
Fusion. It's all the rage. The trick is not to weld two random cuisines into one dish. We don't need Cocido Shepherd's Pie or Jerk Gnocchi. Instead, take a dish from A and add just a quality ingredient or technique from B. Lamian does this with its terrific mustardy, acidy pork dish. Best shared, but lacking rice or noodle to exploit the terrific sauce.
We all know, Fusion is the same wherever we go, There is good and bad in all if it. But if it learns to give each other dish what it needs to survive in the market, it'll be better. Together. Alive. Can ebony soy sauce and ivory mustard live together in perfect harmony? Side by side on the menu chalkboard, oh lord, why can't we?
Try it, I mean.
Shopping at Cámara Agraria
There's a surprisingly limited choice of chorizo and such like, but when you add wine tasting and tapas at €1 a throw, you're in for a fun Saturday morning.
Set Lunch
Gofio Ice cream
Gelateria La Romana
 |
| https://www.gelateriaromana.com/ |
at Rocablanca
A load of flavours, it's like Rodilla but with cylindrical fried things. Spinach and cheese is a revelation. Add a caña or two and join the locals for half an hour. Or maybe much longer.
Weekend Guide from Madrid No Frills
Subscribe here for the chance to download your copy.
Whimsy, history, and a little bit of party-free politics. Most importantly, there's fascination in and love for the subject. Researched superbly, written clearly and accessibly, it's an instant addition to our h:m recommended list.
Tequeños at Luar, Mercado San Fernando
It seems almost too simple. Mozzarella-style sticks deep-fried in batter. Add homemade sauces from squeezy bottles on the couner and the fun starts. A dish where you choose the tastes that suit you most. What's not to like about that kind of deal?
Pizzas at Gustami Italia
Chilli sauces & Tacos at La Tentacion, Mercado San Fernando
 |
| La Tentacion |
 |
| https://manolopastelerias.com/ |
An institution already. How sweet it is...to try Manolo's astounding mini-croissants. Plain, chocolate-coated or multi-choc drizzeled. Order (in advance by phone at weekends is recommended) by the box. Available in three sizes from €8.
Gumbo at Trikki | New Orleans
 |
| https://trikkicuisine.com/ |
Hot, spicy. Homemade. Maybe as close as you'll get to being in the French Quarter this side of the Atlantic.
Vegan Donuts from Delish
 |
| https://www.facebook.com/delishvegan/ |
Immensely popular already. If you're after a boxful, might be best to Fb message them to reserve.
Pumpkin Flan at Havana Blues
Havana Blues
Now this is good stuff. And clever. It looks like your standard creme caramel, although the eagle-eyed might spot it's a bit duskier and more orange-hued than would be natural for a CC. So a spray-tanned flan? Nope. A creamy, wobbly, orangey-coloured delicious surprise.
Visiting DStage
| www.dstageconcept.com |
What? Easy. Everything. The relaxed decor. The classy service. This is an event, unique in and of itself. A world class experience. Go, try and be astounded. Book now (for November) and see. Save the pennies and the 12 course menu can come in, with drinks, at just over €100.
Seafood at Ribiera Do Mino
 |
| http://www.marisqueriaribeiradomino.com/ |
Queimada at Ribiera Do Mino
|
| http://www.marisqueriaribeiradomino.com/ |
Orujo, slice o' lemon and coffee at the double.
The legendary Galacian concoction is fully fuelled at RdM. You'll be ladelling liquid fire for a good few minutes, so get a friend to read out the incantation as you go. Not for the foodie faint-hearted or, to be serious for a moment, anyone nervous of naked flames, this is surely the most intense after dinner drink in town.
Peshwari Naan at Moharaj Ave Maria 26
We're can't honestly say this is the best Naan going in the MCC (cricket fans keep calm, we're talking the Madrid Curry Corner). There are some who've surely surveyed Lavapies and could do the sort of comparative tasting sessions we only dream about having the time to carry out and stamina to exercise away.
But for a sweet, tasty and self-evidently just-baked (burnt fingertips beware) burst of goodness, add this to your lunchtime repast. The remaining splodges of your curry sauces will thank you for it. Metaphorically. Obviously. Failing that, you can thank yourself. Or even us.
Classic Margarita at La Taqueria de Birrä, Comendadores.
 |
| http://www.lastaquerias.com/comendadoras |
Chocolate-Orange Cake at La Jalapeña
 |
| https://www.facebook.com/lajalapenia/ |
It had to be a Mexican restaurant, I guess. Chocolate's an aztec word, after all. But this dish, even though it's at the top of the pyramid, is no sacrifice.
Roast Lamb at Casa Maruja
Casa
Maruja
Time for a jaunt out beyond the suburbs? Fancy exploring a bit of the hinterland? There's more to the north west than handbags in Las Rozas Village and tourists at El Escorial...
In the words of Jarvis Cocker, This is Hardcore. Order according to the number of eaters, expect a serving platter half the width of the table and weighing it down with kilos of meat and spuds.
The classic wood-burning oven means your lunch is infused with a spicy, smoky flavour you can only get from the real thing. You'll never watch an episode of Timmy Time the same way again.
Cafe Latte at Federal
 |
| http://www.federalcafe.es/madrid/ |
It's not the cheapest in town. You'll be surrounded by tech-toting millenials or, if you're really lucky, some joker might decide to set up their folding bike in front of you. But you'll probably be back for another as this is a classy cup's worth that's as good as any we've had.
No IT allowed at weekends these days, but even so, be prepared to queue to get in.
Pork Loin in Mustard/Solomillo con Mostaza at Lamian
 |
| http://lamianconcept.com/ |
We all know, Fusion is the same wherever we go, There is good and bad in all if it. But if it learns to give each other dish what it needs to survive in the market, it'll be better. Together. Alive. Can ebony soy sauce and ivory mustard live together in perfect harmony? Side by side on the menu chalkboard, oh lord, why can't we?
Try it, I mean.
Shopping at Cámara Agraria
 |
| http://www.camaraagraria.org/ |
It's Madrid's biggest farmer's market, so they tell me. In fact, it's a fairly small location, but from Sol, I guess it is quite far away. Pricey but classy artisan cheese, beer, and oil. Fresh-as-it-can-be fruit and veg at near wholesale prices. In season, tomatoes are a must, and you should be ready - but trust us happy - to queue for them. And never, in Madrid history, have so many leeks been bought by so many old ladies for the price of so few.
There's a surprisingly limited choice of chorizo and such like, but when you add wine tasting and tapas at €1 a throw, you're in for a fun Saturday morning.