hi, we will be spending just one night in Madrid and it will be my husband's birthday. Any suggestions for a delicious Spanish restaurant? We are staying near the Prado so walking distance would be nice but not essential. Prefer meat to fish, trendy and/or elegant ok as long as food is top.
Any ideas? Thanks!

I recommend you read Maribel's Madrid Dining Guide. She list all of her favorites, including most of the top restaurants in the area.

www.maribelsguides.com

Not sure if it can be considered trendy or elegant, but my favorite meal in Madrid was hands down at Casa Botin, one of the city's most historic restaurants and even the setting for a meal at the end of Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises. Greco was also a dishwasher boy back in the day. It's off of the Plaza Mayor. You can't go wrong with their famous suckling pig.


traveltalesfromtheredheadedtraveler.blogspot.com/
(My travel writing blog!)

Agree that for suckling pig Botin is a classic in Madrid. If you prefer lamb my favorite is Posada de la Villa, not too far from Botin and Plaza Mayor. Their specialty is roasted lamb ,it's a very traditional looking restaurant.

In nearby the Prado I'd suggest 'Balzac' at Calle Moreto 7. Steak tartare, chuletón (large grilled steak) and game: venado (deer), becada (woodcock), pato (duck), cerceta (teal), liebre (hare). Closed on Sunday.
http://www.restaurantebalzac.net/

Amazing place where your jaw will drop as soon as you walk in.

El Bulli catering. This will cost you .. but will be memorable in all ways.

http://www.casinodemadrid.es/sp/index.htm

P.S This is not a "casino" but a social center ( in this case HIGH SOCIETY).. which is what the word "casino" means in Spanish.

Read maribel's guides! You'll be overwhelmed, then I'd probably take Revulgo's advice.

Thank-you everyone. I've been busy with Maribel. Don't think we'll have the right clothes for the Casino-heading off to Panama with hand luggage- but it looks wonderful. Will probably go for Balzac as suggested. Though am tempted by the solomillo.....

carrom,

If meat is more important than a fancy atmosphere, head to 'Zerain' a Basque cider house at Calle Quevedo near Plaza de Santa Ana. Recs: tortilla de bacalao (salted cod omelet) and the 'chuleton' (large grilled steak) all washed down with draught cider. Suggested sweet dessert: 'pantxineta'.
http://www.restaurante-vasco-zerain-...pdf/Zerain.pdf

Video (a bit tedious before entering into the restaurant)
http://www.restaurante-vasco-zerain-...esentacion.php

P.S. I like best the casual Zerain.

thans for the rec , revulgo. Hope to use it someday!

bookmarking (for the same reason as lincasanova)...