lincasanova

You can have a fun dinner off Plaza Mayor along Cava Baja street, ( see www.maribelsguides.com for a number of recs) and then take a 10 minute taxi to casa patas.

kimhe

Tapas/dinner in one/some of the great places along Cava Baja would be a good idea. 5-10 mins walk to Casa Patas (5-600 mtrs).

Ackislander

I also want to thank you. Your post a year or so ago introduced me to cante as an art form in itself and not just part of the dance. It has brought much pleasure, mostly through YouTube, sadly.

danon

Cava Baja is jammed most of the time even before 9:00 P.M.
We love tiny Casa Lucas.
The new Mercado San Miguel is fun for quick tapas and a glass of wine.
Cardamomo is cheaper than Casa Patas ( and a few minutes from Santa Ana and Sol)

amsdon

Yay for you danon!! Hurrray! Cante is the fondation of flamenco. Period. Kimhe is always introducing me to newer singers (well not personally) which I always love...Especially La Tremendita.

But the old school are really my favorite.
If you want to follow a great career on You tube look up Chano Lobato, he is recorded alot o you tube and on lps throught his life up until his recent passing. You tube is a great resource...years ago there was nothing....Chano through the years..

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWqh8phAW5o

2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fi63UmW6Z0s

3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oZ8S...eature=related

4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOIrg...eature=related


Yes Jersey Susan there are indeed alot of tapas places BUT you will get a much better spot if you have dinner at Casa Patas and I thought it was good. Do not be shy about asking for a seat closer to the stage (but not smack in front that's too close)

jerseysusan

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

amsdon

OOOP sorry I have gooten my Fodorites confused in this case it was Ackislander that was the flamenco cante supporter....Ole Tu
Ackislander...apologies.

Susan have fun and please let us know what you find in Madrid.

funfetti_fan

Hi fellow Fodorites! I know it's been a while since someone posted on this thread, but I was wondering if someone could recommend either Las Carboneras (http://www.tablaolascarboneras.com/web/index.html) or Cardamomo (http://www.cardamomo.es/index.php?julio) for a show on July 23? I'm leaning toward Carboneras because I've heard that the food is better per TripAdvisor reviews? Thank you so much in advance for any help you can provide!

lincasanova

I would base my decision on the dancers that night, not the food. Hopefully Kimhe can help you.

kimhe

Caradamomo is perhaps the best tablao in Madrid at the moment. As lincasanova says, I wouldn't choose flamenco venue for the food. Generally you would be better off having dinner/some tapas before or/and after the performance.

The artists are not listed for this night at Cardamomo, other than stating that "the classic line-up comes back home". As this has been brilliant for a long time, even including one of the most spectacular flamenco dancers in the world today, Belén López, you might be up for an unforgettable night. The performance starts at 9pm, you have to be there 30 mins in advance. Have some tapas in some of the excellent bars close by, or go for dinner afterwards (it'll be finished a little over 10, and then people start to go out for dinner).

You would not go much wrong at Carboneras either. I don't know the artists that perform this night, but to perform here you'll have to "know your trade". Here the performance starts at 11pm, which would give ample time for dinner or tapas in one of Madrid's main foodie districts in and around close by Calle Cava Baja.

Here is a wonderful (poor quality) clip of Belén López on stage after performance at Cardamomo. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_MMkNHUNdE