Madrid: Zalacain & El Amparo Restaruants?
 

Hello:

I believe are both of these are good Basque retaurants in Madrid. Any personal experience w/ them or recommendations re one over the other.
How much $ should I anticipate for two with wine?

Thanks
ana maria

Restaurante Zalacain, with three Michelin Stars (http://www.restaurantezalacain.com/) has long been considered the top Basque restaurant in Madrid and is located in suburbs. It has a 94€ menu. The menu is actually more international then what you would find in the Basque country.

El Amparo, in the Salamanca district, is another top Basque restaurant with a 90€ menu. Here the cuisine is based more along the line of what you would find at a Martín Berasategui restaurant.

In both cases, wine is extra.

For something Basque that's a little more reasonable, you can check out restaurante Alkalde, also in the Salamanca district at Calle Jorge Juan, 10. Much more traditional.

If you check Maribel’s Guide to Madrid, she has a few other suggestions in the area.

My reply dissapeared...hope not to duplicate.

Robert thank you for this suggestion. I found the Alkalde website, looks great! & it appears to be open from noon to 12 pm??....

In any case this traditional Basque rest. is what we are looking for. As for El Amparo we'll pass if it's Beratasegui inspired since we plan try Codex later on. (Thanks for helping us on that earlier)

As usual you are a wealth of all types of information. Specific information is not easily found really. The available info online so often rates according to popularity & may not be traditional.

If I recall you are scheduled to depart soon, no? I hope to read a trip report of yours someday too...

Thanks again
ams

We just did a quick week in the Rioja and Navarra checking out restaurants, bodegas and hotels, as well as taking care of some business.

While in Abalos (Villa de Abalos) we came across another bodega/hotel that is very interesting. Bodega Puelles (http://www.bodegaspuelles.com/), on the “road to the mill” in Abalos, has been around for awhile, and is part of an estate overlooking the Rioja. The hotel, with only six doubles, was originally built for the clients of the bodega's premium wines, and is now open to everyone. It even has a small, heated indoor pool great in the spring and fall. The owners are terrific hosts.

Lovely! Perhaps on the next go round. What good pricing they have right now for the rooms and the wine.

Thanks again