Headed to Madrid in the Spring
 

My SIL leaves next week for her permanent residency in Madrid. We will probably visit her in the Spring with a side visit to Barcelona and Avignon. (Sorry Linca.)

At first she will be staying about a 15 minute walk west of Retiro, while she looks for a more place. She is considering just about any neighborhood, as long as she sees and feels Madrid from her front door. Right now La Latina, Chueca, North Salamanca, Lavapiés, and east of Retiro all seem like possibilities.

We are all adventurous eaters but do not like spend a fortune. And we have all spent considerable time in Spain and we are more familiar with traditional Spanish cuisine than the more recent molecular innovations. So if you have any restaurant recommendations, please pass them along, especially if they are lesser known. We know many of the better known places.

We are all very excited about this adventure.

Thank you in advance.

Hey, hey, hooray for yr. SIL and for you guys !

Thank you Bedar. It should be great fun.

The city is full of restaurants offering “traditional Spanish cuisine”, it all depends on which of the major traditional cuisines you’re interested in. I’m certainly not into modular innovations, so we tend to go elsewhere; Navarran, Basque, Galician, Asturian, Andaluz, Valenciano & Catalonian all fit the bill. We had a great meal at Rafa (seafood/shellfish) a couple of weeks ago. And of course there is La Catapa and La Raquetista, to name a few.

Thank you Robert. Just list those you like. We have been to all corners of Spain. (Our SIL has been to Valencia, we have not.) So will try anything from any where.

Our last trip to Madrid, October 2016 we really liked Bocaito and Celso y Manolo on Calle Libertad. Modern variations on some traditional dishes. Someone took us upstairs to a Museo de Jamon and it was awful.

Take a look at this:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Hl...u4&usp=sharing

Thank you very much Revulgo. I appreciate it.

Great link, Robert2016 -- thanks!

Our favorite small plates restaurant is La Catapa, Menorca, 14, but it's a favorite of the neighborhood and always packed, so arrive early if you want a seat at the bar, or make a reservations if you want a table (very important). We also like O´Grelo, Menorca, 37, but again, very popular with the locals. Mercado, Doctor Castelo, 31, is also excellent, and you can sit at the bar, but I'd make a reservation to be sure you have a seat. Ten Con Ten, Ayala, 6, would be a good bet (with reservations), and Alabaster, Montalbán, 9, is always a hit.

In Valencia you can try La Pepica for paella. And try Casa Montaña in the Cabanyal-Canyameral neighborhood.

Thank you Robert. I appreciate the suggestions

We enjoyed More in Salamanca.

Yes, More is an excellent recommendation and is next to our favorite, Álbora, on Jorge Juan!

I had lunch at Álbora in late Oct. ( not the first time ) .
Very classy spot.

Thanks Happy, Robert, and Damon. It should be fun.

My friend introduced me to a restaurant group that has very elegant interiors.. tablecloths and all have lunch menus for about 11.50E with dessert. One of the nicest ones was "La Gloria de Montera" on Caballero de Gracia.. all very central. Gourmet?? no.. but excellent presentation and varied menu.. interesting plates. I would definitely return.

La Finca de Susana was good, too.

I see this group also now runs Edelweiss.. an old time favorite.

I had been to "Ginger" before but was not impressed as the service was horrendous.I think they get the most tourists.. as the others seemed more locals and local resident expats.

http://www.grupandilana.com/es/restaurantes

Wow, didn't know Edelweiss is still open. Will have to pay it a visit in June. How anout Horcher, another oldie ?

Not a restaurant suggestion, but..
If you have not already, visit the area near the river ...Puente de Toledo is lovely ,
several kilometers long parks on the banks are a great example of urban
planing.
Nearby "Matedona" ,a former slaughterhouse, has been remodeled into a space
dedicated to art and learning.

danon means "Matadero Madrid", the former slaughter house.
http://www.mataderomadrid.org/index.php?idioma=EN

Sorry, yes Matadero....

danon,
Just a nemotechnical rule: "matador" (literally killer) for a bullfighter, "matadero" for a slaughterhouse.
Regards.