We went to two exception tapas bars in Madrid

Taverna del Chato on Calle de la Cruz. They offer some traditional dishes but also the partridge pate and crispy chicken are sensational. Very well priced.

We also loved Celso y Manolo on Calle de Libertad. You must try the tomatoes topped with a pesto type mix of basil, sage, cilantro, parsley, and mint and sprinkled with pine nuts. I have tried to duplicate this at home with some success. Their rice dishes are original including one with chorizo and ossobuco. We ate there about 18 months during our last trip to Madrid, but it was better this time.

Fortunately or unfortunately, we did not have any complete meals out in Madrid. A SIL now has an apartment in Madrid and we made our own gambas al ajillo and Camargue red rice, a variety of red rice cultivated in the wetlands of the Camargue region of southern France, we picked up on a trip to Nimes, Avignon and Arles.

We constantly chose bad restaurants during our brief stays in Barcelona but a Catalan friend took us to La Brochette on Carrer de Muntaner where they make exceptional rotisserie chicken at a very reasonable price. I think we were the only tourists.

The bread and pastries in Madrid and Barcelona have improved dramatically over the years. There is a small chain, that is expensive for madrileņos but make some pretty decent bread including their gallego loaves.

Thank you for these recommendations! We will start our vacation in Madrid next month, and I've added these restaurants to our google planning map...

Yikes, the name of the small chain with bread and pastries is La Rollerie which we called Roller Rink.

https://larollerie.com/

Annettext, stuff for your stay in Madrid
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1rW9Sljw5truG9vHv-tOlMLG48qE&usp=sharing

Actually, I donīt think La Rollerie is a good example of the new wave of spanish breadmakers. It is more of a chain sucha as Panaria, Granier, Uvepan or Bertiz. Breads premade and deep frozen in a central factory and then sent to the various shops.

If you want to taste real bread, go to any of the places mentioned here :
https://www.saveur.com/artisan-baking-in-madrid
I am absolutely in love with the Tritordeum bread at Panifiesto, so good ...

And if you are looking for sweet things, Pomme Sucre Pomme Sucre
They have one shop in Asturias and two in Madrid, Barquillo and Fuencarral. Amazing pastries

Bye, Cova

Thank you, Revulgo!
I am excited to see that the Madrid Book Fair will still be going on for a day or so after we arrive.
Also nice to see Botin's included on your list of restaurants. My husband's grandfather was stationed in Madrid in the 50s, and became great friends with the family that owns Botin's. Eating there is on my husband's "must do" list...

Thank you Cova for the suggestions.