cova

Well, I like it. Probably because my hairdresser is right below, there are a few good bakeries around and the market is just 4 minutes away. Good shopping, too.

There are plenty of buses running through Barbara de Braganza, and there is a metro stop in Alonso Martinez and a Cercanias stop in Recoletos.

I don´t think that the graffiti should be a deciding factor. I feel it is more central than any place east of Retiro.

Bye, Cova

ekscrunchy

Cova thanks for your input. I realize that that area is more interesting, but we ended up booking the larger apartment in Retiro, with the understanding that we will be doing lots of walking. (Probably a good thing due to the food I intend to consume on this trip). It was a very difficult decision and I hope we made the right choice. It's only for 4 days and I will get a good idea of a neighborhood that is off the beaten path a bit as far as tourism.

If anyone has any ideas for neighborhood restaurants and food shops of any kind, please let me know. We will need a very good bread bakery, for instance, so that we can prepare a good breakfast. The location is at the SE corner of the park.

How is the municipal market on Ibiza? Are there any other markets nearby?

cova

Well, if you want to buy where the spanish people go ... your best option is going to be the Mercadona supermarket in Reyes Magos.
We might go to markets and so on ... but at the end of the day, we all have our favourites in Mercadona (specially toiletries). Good yoghurts and juice, not the best in fresh fruit, but a great buffala mozarella
www.mercadona.es

ekscrunchy

Gracias,Cova!


Is there a Mercadona near Pza de Anunciacion, which is the location of the apartment?

For me Spanish supermarkets are exciting because I can stock up on things like pimenton, tortas de aceite, canned seafood, canned piquillos, etc. I guess the prices are better than Corte Ingles (??)

Also, do you know if the supermarkets would be open on a Sunday? That is the day we arrive so will have to buy supplies and treats.

ekscrunchy

Cova: Perdoname..I just noticed that you already gave the location of the Mercadona! Thanks again.

cova

On a sunday your best option is the Corte Ingles in Preciados. The first Sunday in the month Carrefour or the Alcampo in Pio XII should be open, but Mercadona is never open.

I have just checked the location of your apartment, and it is just around the corner from Reyes Magos. Quite a few people living in the Salamanca area used to do the trek down there until the new Mercadona in Serrano opened last week.

Lin will know more about them, giving that it is a Valencia company. They work with their own label in order to keep prices low, and there are a few things that have real fans. As I told you, I´m not a fan of their fresh fruit (yes to salads and various vegs), and I don´t think that they have a good Pimentón de la Vera, but they have good tortas de aceite.

Bye, Cova

lincasanova

Mercadona is fine in general. I buy there frequently due to their parking and proximity to where we live.

They sell "tomate rallado" already in a tub.. just add olive oil and some salt and put on toasted bread with jamon .. YUM.

Their fruit can be wonderful. Can de insipid. But I have even had bad luck at el Corte Inglés on fruit.

Not all brands are available, as Cova pointed out. They re-brand lots of stuff. If a product isn't selling ( after a very short period) they actually never order ti again.So, for locals, it can be hit or miss on brand names.

Pretty good bread, made on site ( but probably from frozen dough,, but still makes store smell great!

You need to know your prices. El Corte Inglés sometimes has very good specials.

Mercadona has some good ice cream and lemon sorbete. They come in rectangular tubs. Not as heavy in butter as FAB ice cream, but very very tasty. They have good marcona almonds, etc., and ALBO tuna in Olive oil.

ekscrunchy

You are both a tremendous help! Cova: Where would you go to buy pimenton/saffron in Madrid? I'm all ears for any and all food-buying tips that you might have!

ekscrunchy

Cova are you meaning that the Corte Inlges on Preciados is open on Sundays? Do they mean that Sundays are holidays in this schedule? (Sorry to be dense here!)

I will be there on the 3rd Sunday in October.

http://www.elcorteingles.es/centrosc...o?IDM=158&NM=2

cova

Yes, it is open every Sunday. The area around Puerta del Sol (and Gran Via near Callao, and some shops in Fuencarral) is a touristic area and shops can open on Sundays.

Two other options, although more expensive than the supermarket in Preciados, would be the Gourmet Club in Goya and the Gourmet Experience in Nuevos Ministerios.

Bye, Cova

judywiener

2 Friends and I rented a 2 bedroom apartment for 3 nights last spring from Spain Select. Lovely apartment and great location in La Latina also great service from Spain Select.
http://www.spain-select.com/en_US/re...de-la-paja-iii
Very close to large market and subways. Walkable distance to many other sites.

yorkshire

ekscrunchy, if you have an occasion to picnic in Parque del Buen Retiro or just need to grab a quick lunch, I recommend Mallorca, a gourmet deli nearby.
Here is my recollection from a long layover in Madrid: "Best. Sandwiches. Ever!!! DH had three jamon variations and I had vegetable mini quiche, a salmon/avocado on ciabatta, and a mini sandwich with white asparagus and mayo. It would have been around 10 euros but I stupidly grabbed expensive waters."
http://www.pasteleria-mallorca.com/

ekscrunchy

Yorkshire, thanks! I will keep that place in mind. "Best sandwiches ever" cannot be ignored!

I'll also start a restaurant thread closer to the date of the trip...

jelopez33

Ekscrunchy:
Cannot give you tips on apartments; but we will spend some days in Madrid again next june; and may be wi will have some news about Mercado de San antón and Casa Mingo(serving sidra, grilled chicken and tortilla; not high end food, but reports said they are good).
Let us know about your planning and we wait (salivating in advance) for your report!!! Needless to say; I am planning to eat as many "tortas de aceite" as I can!!!

jelopez33

Of course, "we will" not "wi will"!

ekscrunchy

JE that's great that you will return soon. I had Casa MIngo on my list for last time but we never had time to go there. And also remember those two Asturian restaurants on the east side of Retiro park..Couzapin and Carlos Tartiere. We peered in last time and they looked really bustling and filled with contented diners! And open all day, and Sundays, I believe.

I'll be so interested in reading about your eating adventures!

One of these days I will make it to your "neck of the woods!" The NYTimes just did another article last week:

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/201...SURFACING.html

jelopez33

Ekscrunchy:
This is the site of the hotel:
http://restaurantegarzon.com/001.html
Pueblo Garzón is really close to José Ignacio and Punta del Este; which you can really enjoy from september to april or even may; june to august is really too cold and almost empty.
If you decide to come to the south, I expect we can meet you in Montevideo or "Punta" as we call Punta del Este; in the meantime, enjoy Madrid; and thanks for the tip about those other Asturian restaurants.
Another tip: really close to Casa mingo, there is a little church where the great Goya is buried.

cova

JE, in the Mercado de San Antón, try to arrive early and get to the Victor Montes in the first floor, just by the fishmonger. Really good stuff, not a big difference to their place in Bilbao. Also, Octavio has good ham and it can be vacuum-packed.

Ekscrunchy, I know it is not spanish, but given that you are going to stay at an apartment ... try the Gorgonzola at Octavio. Totally adictive !

bye, Cova

ekscrunchy

Ok but Cova, now you have to tells about Victor Montes! I hope to spend a lot of time in that market! Sounds like it might be a good place for a light lunch, no?

Thanks again, JE! It's great to exchange notes!

jelopez33

Thanks Cova!!!! I am planning to visit the Mercado de San Anton may be more than once, as our hotel is located near Chueca(at Mesonero Romanos corner at Gran Via).
Ekscrunchyf course it is good exchange notes; may be I find something new in june; plus there is a possible second trip this year;to France, but as always ending in Madrid(may be in september-october).I am starting to follow comments on a flamenco version of Carmen, starting in a few days at least until september.