Hi Fodorites,

We're heading to Madrid in a few days and then will make our way to León and O'Cebreiro to start our Camino(I'm super excited!!). Anyway, was just discussing with DH where to go for dinner in Madrid and we would love to sample some place new, not the usual Botin or Posada de la Villa. I love suckling pig but recently read in another thread that its not that good in Botin anymore. Any other recommendations for suckling pig? Any opinions about Casa Lucio (I think they do lamb not pig). Any suggestions for traditional type restaurants would be appreciated!

Have you looked at Maribel's Madrid Dining Guide (maribelsguides.com)? You should find it useful as it goes well beyond Botin, but actually, I like Posada de la Villa.

I went to Taberna La Bolla, http://labola.es/, described in Maribel's guide for a Madrid Cocido meal. I enjoyed the meal. I observed the regulars around me as I ate along. I found out that the regulars protected their shirt front with the napkin when the waiter poured the initial broth out of the jar and again when he poured out the contents.

Robert,
I always look at Maribel's guides. As a matter of fact that's how I became acquainted with Posada de la Villa back in 2004. That's the reason I was asking about Casa Lucio, since she mentions it in her guides.

Greg, thanks for that suggestion, I'll look into it.

Buen Camino.

Unfortunately I do not have any restaurant recommendations for you.

Buen Camino!! I'll be following through here if you post! I would have loved to have met up but it looks like that is not going to happen.. not even in Madrid as I had hoped!

Hope you enjoy El Camino and get great weather and meet loads of people! Buen camino!

Are you interested only in restaurants serving the whole pig, in the traditional way, or would you settle for confit of suckling pig?

Aduchamp,Cehegin,Muchas gracias!

Lin, I'm so sorry it didnt work out! Next time, maybe in Valencia? Or if you come to the US.

ekscrunchy, I was looking for it prepared as in Botin.

Casa Lucio does offer the pig.

Cruise

If you are lucky you will see the whole pig cut the traditionally Spanish way, where they use the edge of plate and create huge chucks to demonstrate it was cooked properly.

Lots of online videos depict this ritual as performed in two of Segovia's temples of cochinillo--Jose Maria and Candido.

Like this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YfERULi-dY