jparis

We are planning a dinner for two American families that are going to meet up in Madrid. Kids range from 6-16, and there's a total of 9 of us. We are all very adventurous (with food), and one of us speaks fluent Spanish. Any recommendations as to what restaurant could accomodate us?

Maribel

jparis,
The top floor of the legendary (of Hemingway fame) Antigua Casa Sobrinos de Botín, or just Botín for short, on Calle Cuchilleros 17 can accomodate large parties. I've seen large groups seated upstairs, as madrileños entertain their foreign business associates there. But you should have your hotel concierge reserve a table of that size at least 3-4 days in advance or call or email them yourself.
phone: 91 366 42 17

For another Castilian roasting tavern experience (roast lamb), there's the Asador de Aranda on Preciados 44, very near the Gran Vía, with plenty of room for large parties.
phone: 91 547 21 56

La Barraca (for Valencian paella) can also accomodate large parties, on Calle de la Reina 29.
phone: 91 532 71 54

car

There is a very big choice of places if you tell what part of town and what kind of food might fit. Seafood, meat,
Castillian, international. Price range?

martinewezel

Already tried www.multimadrid.com ?

jparis

thanks for all your great responses.
I don't know where the other family is staying yet, so any part will be fine. I was more concerned about the availability of seating that number of people and a place that wouldn't have a heart attack when 5 children/teenagers walk in!!!

Maribel

jparis,
None of the above 3 will have a heart attack when seeing the children.
I've dined at Botin at a table for 8 with 3 children, and the waiters treated the children like royalty. And I've also dined there with countless teenagers, truly!
Those 3 are downtown and convenient to most hotels and reasonably priced.
I chose them because their ambience, typical Spanish decor and cuisine tend to be crowd pleasers among foreign guests.
The first 2 are traditional "asadores", traditional roasting taverns, and the last one is decorated like a Valencian "barraca" with pretty ceramics. All 3 have a nice atmosphere.