Madrid Botin Rest. Overrated?
 

Is the famed Botin Restaurant in Madrid all it's cracked up to be? I'll be there in June with my elderly parents and have read it's good, but would like some first-hand feedback. Best Time? Reserve? What to order? Is it good value for money? Much thanks.

We had been told that Botin was "too touristy" and that we should go to Casa Lucio, a similarly traditional restaurant just down the street. So afternoon we decided to drop in to Casa Lucio, but they were booked for the rest of the day, so we went back to Botin, where we were able to get a table in the front room right by the door. The prime real estate is in the cellar or upstairs, but I enjoyed my seat where I could watch the waiters in the kitchen and see the cook stuffing the piglets into the oven for the roast suckling pig that earns the restaurant praise.<BR>Good value? Well, it is an expensive restaurant, but the service is great and the food is delicious and the atmosphere can't be beat.<BR>Touristy? We didn't think so. And it was packed with Spaniards, not just tourists. They do sell a few souvenir plates and jugs and a book full of pictures of celbrities from Hemmingway on, but those are discreetly hidden away and we stumbled upon them.<BR>What to order?I loved the roast suckling pig, but if you're not into eating baby animals, they have plenty of other stuff on the menu.<BR>I would imagine if you're going for dinner you'd want to reserve. We were probably lucky to get a table by just dropping in.<BR>Overall: Would go again. I've been disappointed a lot of times by "world famous" restaurants. This one was not a disappointment.<BR>Vera

Luis,<BR>Saw your other post about Botin but didn't have a chance to respond, so here goes:<BR>Since 1970 I've eaten at Botin too many times to count, as our guests always want us to take them there. It's the most well known restaurant in Spain, made famous by Hemingway in The Sun Also Rises, and according to the G. Book of Records, the "oldest restaurant in the world", thus very touristy, but I've never, ever had a disappointing meal here in all the times I've taken guests who want to experience the legendary Botin. And my guests always love it. <BR>I think it's good value and extremely atmospheric despite the crowds of tourists. <BR>Queen Sofia took Nancy Reagan to lunch here (my veteran waiter told me he had served them gazpacho and fish), and Hillary was escorted here as well. Laura Bush dined down the street at Casa Lucio (a celebrity hang out), though, which I personally prefer on my own, along with the Posada de la Villa also on Cuchilleros, because these 2 aren't on the beaten tourist path. The Posada's decor is more atmospheric but Casa Lucio has terrific chuleton, impeccable fish, huevos estrellados and arroz con leche (but hard on non-smokers).<BR><BR>I agree with Vera-the prime seating for me is either in the cave cellar or in the beautifully tiled 4th floor salon, where Madrile–o business types entertain their foreign guests. But if you want to see Spaniards, go late, after the 8-9:30 tourist rush, so you'll be there around 10-10:30 when strolling university troubadours ("tunas") serenade. I usually don't order their specialties. The suckling pig is fattier than American roast pork with yummy crackling skin, but you should try it or the roast lamb (but if you go to Segovia, have roast lamb there instead at Candido, Duque or Jose Maria). It's a treat to see those centuries-old ovens fired with evergreen oak. I like their "solomillo" (filet mignon with mushrooms). "merluza al horno" (oven baked hake) or the "almejas Botin" (clams in white wine and garlic sauce). Very good gazpacho too. Their house Valdepenas red is very dependable, and tourists love their pitchers of sangria. Their menus you can take home as souvenirs. I'd skip the flan and have the Bot’n cake ("tarta de la casa") instead or Aranjuez strawberries served with whipped cream or in a bed of orange juice. One can go in practically any mode of dress and even bring in backpacks, unlike the "no shorts" rule at Casa Paco (a legend for steaks) down the street.<BR>Unless you want to be at the door at 8 and be seated in the downstairs dining room, reserve a few days ahead of time or have your hotel reserve and ask for a later seating. Open daily-never closes for vacation.

We had a fabulous dinner at Botin, in the cellar. we enjoyed it very much and did not feel it was touristy. Many spaniards were there as well. the food was excellent and the service great. Would go back there when in Madrid.

Agree with Vera completely. A restaurant that is advertised as must-see but doesn't really feel touristy. Both the roast suckling pig and the lamb were wonderful. Since I always want to try something I've never had before, when we went a second time on our trip, I had the baby eels. They were very expensive and not very tasty. Mostly tasted the garlic butter they were in, but not worth the nearly $40 price tag. Stick with the pork and lamb, but do go. You'll be glad you did.

Luis,<BR>I agree with Julie regarding the angulas (eels)-stick to the Castilian roasts, the filet or the fish dishes-you'll have a fine meal.<BR><BR>Correction about the adresses of other atmospheric Castilian roasting taverns. The Posada de la Villa and Casa Lucio are on the Cava Baja at #9 and #35 respectively, the extension of Cuchilleros, beyond the Plaza de Puerta Cerrada, where Casa Paco is located. While in Madrid, I think you and your parents would enjoy one of these famous 3 as well. Posada de la Villa (posadadelavilla.com) is closed on Sun. evenings, Casa Lucio on Sat. for lunch and Casa Paco closed on Sun.<BR>Julian de Tolosa and Esteban (Cava Baja #18 and #38) are also great spots for carnivores, if you need other choices in Old Madrid. <BR><BR>Que aproveche!