Best advice: don't get bent out of shape over which tapas place to try. They are all about the same, foodwise. The Spainiards are not big foodies, so you don't go to Spain to make a big deal about restaurants.

I know this statement will bring a firestorm of complaints. But it is true. More than one Spaniard has told be that "The Spanish eat to live, they don't live to eat." The food isn't bad, but it isn't why you go.

"The Spainiards are not big foodies, so you don't go to Spain to make a big deal about restaurants." :-o

Oh my, of course that is a matter of opinion, but also a matter of record. El Bulli being only one little world famous retaurant of note. Spain is enjoying her turn at the cutting edge of gastronomic importance. Not to mention hundreds of years of traditional dishes that are still enjoyed by many of us.

Perhaps it is good advice not to get stressed over the choices, but some of us find it fun to discuss & seek out the best places because they are not all the same, tsk tsk.

As you already commeneted that remark was provocative, so I will assume i was just meant as tongue in cheek (I am not one to get into the "tit for tat" arguments that periodically take place here, so I assume you had good intentions, no?)

Have a tapa Imhornet and a tinto on me next time.

I am looking forward to the experience and intracting with the people in the Tapas. If the food is good that will be a bonus.

Tapas are great, but don't leave without sampling some paella (there are many varieties) and we drank a fair amount of wonderful Sangria while in Madrid and Sevilla! I love tortilla (potato/egg sort of thing) and often ordered it. My sister-in-law is married to a man of Spanish decent and his mother taught her to make it. I should learn myself (I bought a recipe book while there), but always ask her to make it when we get together. We loved Spain and I'm sure you'll enjoy your visit too Harry.

Yes Giovanna tortilla española is very much a part of Spanish life (and there is a thread somewhere here on Fodors for the best way to make it) In Sevilla I bought a special ceramic torilla flipper that is very pretty blue & white. It replaces the regular plate we usually use to flip it & it was a nice souvenir too.

Take some bubble paper Harry in case you see something you want to take home.

I'll have to search for that recipe one day amsdon. Your tortilla flipper is a wonderful souvenir. I love things like that. My neighbor is of Scottish descent and she uses her mother's recipe to make shortbread every Christmas. When we visited Scotland I bought her a carved piece of wood (I can't think what it was called) to make a design on her shortbreads. I honestly don't know if she's ever used it, but thought it was a perfect gift for her.

Giovanna I found the thread on torilla and will bring it to the top again so you can see it. It will be a separate thread by Auduchamp.

Thank you. I'll be sure to open it and print it.

Found it and printed what I needed. Thanks again amsdon!

amsdom,
Your idea about the bubble wrap is an excellent suggestion! I always buy a beer stein from each country I visit and the bubble wrap will make it easier to pack.
I will try the tortilla espanola at least once for breakfast on this trip.
Thanks for the replies.

Not just for breakfast HarryS. I've had it for lunch with a salad. You may find it at a Tapa's Bar. It's good as a snack or hors doeuvre too.

I was not my idea I actually read the bubble wrap idea here on Fodors, the first time I did not have it & it sure helped later on. I am also taking a couple of those light weight bags popular now for use in supermarkets for groceries (use one doubled up) since they take up so little space & come in handy on the way home sometimes or for snaks.

Harry re tortilla, don't expect an "omletety" dish (is that a word? ) It is kind of dense due to the potato & often served room temp.

Re the Infanta Isabel be sure to ask for the view of the plaza as Maribel suggests in her guides it is beautiful. Lastly in their restaurant for breakfast they will have a small room set up with breads & danish etc. I will have to see what we paid for the breakfast there I have forgotten, but we learned that you can order eggs and ham so forth and it is included in the same price of the breakfast. We did not know this until the second day since there was no sign to announce this. It made a big difference in the value. But be sure to ask if this is still included the same price just in case.

amsdon,
I requested a balcony yesterday through Travelocity and I received a call today confirming the balcony. I hope their are only balcony that face the Plaza.
Good tip on the breakfast, if it is a good deal it will be conveinentto start there each morning. I also look forward to my first tortilla.

Harry,
As you can see from the photos on the hotel web site, www.hotelinfantaisable.com, there are also balconies facing the pedestrian street that runs down along the side and to the Aqueduct. So your Travelocity confirmed balcony room may be facing this STREET, the Calle Infanta Isabel, rather than facing the square. I would email the hotel directly to request a PLAZA MAYOR balcony room. In the email I would include your Travelocity booking number. The Plaza Mayor, front facing rooms may be more expensive than the rate you were quoted on Travelocity. Just a precaution...

And we had nice room with a side window facing the plaza itself a great view but no actual balcony to speak of, just a tiny narrow space to lean out, rather than sit.