Fabulous is right, Revulgo! Thank you so much for the continued suggestions everyone snd for introducing me to Maribel's goodies. Is there a recommendation for the BEST paella in the city that specifically includes chorizo and mussels? I am so dying for this I might have to get my fix in Barcelona. I will be in Barcelona by tomorrow and cannot wait to go tapas/pintxos hopping. Woot! I will be staying in the el Born area. Kimhe I read your suggestion of Tapeo, Euskal and Xampanyet in one of your comments to another poster. Any other suggestions will be truly appreciated. I took notes danon. Muchas gracias senoritas and senors!

Whatever happened to La Trucha ? Wonderful smoked trout and other tapas. Aroung forever.

La Trucha has closed down.

I used to love the Huevos Rotos at Casa Lucio, lining the belly with greasy sausage egg and chips before going on the lash is particularly pleasant in Madrid.

Memories of my youth come flooding back.
Was Bocadillo de Calamares the inspiration for McDonald fillet of fish burger?

Thank you, si si, calamares is in the works! :)

Bocadillo de calamares. Bar La Campana on Calle Botoneras 6, next to the Plaza Mayor.
http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/med...bocadillos.jpg

Both La Campana and La Ideal are institutions in town. Never leave Madrid without having had a Bocadillo de calamares in one of these places. Also many other delicious bocadillos, grilled pork fillet, sausages, chorizo, ham, cheese etc. etc. And watch out for El Brilliante, next to the Reina Sofia museum and close to the Atocha train station, I always end up here for some reason: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkFU_M4l-Iw

La Campana: http://www.calamareslacampana.com/
La Ideal: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...al-Madrid.html
El Brilliante: http://www.barelbrillante.es/

La Catapa was one of the ones recommended by Maribel and it was dellish. I would sit at the bar and ask the waiter to recommend his 2 favorite and then we would go from there. Tapas are great, but they are not for the meek.

The Madrid tripe trail should start with Callos Madrilenos. America is the epicentre of the sandwich world.The fillings have always been the best for me, but the bread tended to let them down.....until http://www.grilledcheeseacademy.com/signature

geminican,

Hope you had yourself a solid paella or arroz fix in Barcelona, plenty of fabulous rice places there as you know.

Paella is not very much a Madrid thing, but they are very serious about it at Casa Benigna, close to Real Madrid's Santiago Bernaueu football stadium. http://www.casabenigna.com/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...na-Madrid.html

Geminican,
We really enjoyed La Barraca in Madrid for paella. Very well known, has been there for 80 years, the family that owns it was originally from Valencia so they know about paella. They have a big selection of paellas and we though it was excellent. Enjoy!

This is wonderful food info. I didn't get to indulge in paella so I'm excited to try it in Madrid and some of your suggested places in Madrid. Thank you! The tapas/pintxos in Barcelona kept me stuffed and nostalgic of San Sebastian. I also like callos so that was a great suggestion thanks. I ate so much and enjoyed my second time there checking out Gaudi's work of art.

Interesting, I went to La Barraca 3 yrs ago and thought it was mediocre and the service I found appalling.

Have you ever drink from a "porrón"? Have fun at El Porrón Canalla, drinking from a porrón and eating good "bocadillos" (roll bread sandwiches). Address: Calle de la Ballesta 2, close to the Gran Vía:
http://www.maruliaenlaciudad.com/wp-...3N-CANALLA.jpg

Porrón in Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porron

never drunk from one, Revulgo - looks like fun, if a tad messy.

Paris has come to an end (so soon) and it's almost Madrid time!! Thanks Revulgo, I think I watched Anthony Bourdain drink from a porron once, didn't know what it was called but it does look fun and yes messy. Any other fun ideas during my stay? annhig, tapas in the evening, yum, such a great way to dine and sample a variety of goodies.

I'll be staying in the Salamanca area, believe it or not I still have to book my hotel tonight, cancelled the first one. Planning to do the HOHO bus again, found it easy to get around, and hopefully get to some of the smaller less crowded museums too. kimhe, it wasn't Casa Labra but I'm making a note of that!

Two flamenco suggestions for tonight in Madrid:

See fabulous Paloma Fantova (1989, Puerto Real, Cádiz) dance in Cardamomo tonight or tomorrow night at 22h. One of the great young promises:
Video clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ck7hMzNH3b8
http://cardamomo.es/

Or see Leilah Broukim at Candela tonight at 23h: http://www.flamenco-vivo.org/#!leilah-broukhim/c24d4
Video clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcjPJfblSeo
Candela: http://flamencocandela.com/

I did a tapas and flamenco crawl in Madrid:

http://madride.net/

Tapas Bars I like:

Cueva del Gato: http://lacuevadelgato.webnode.es/la-cueva-del-gato/

El Tigre: http://eltigre.delsurweb.com/

Kaixo: http://www.tabernakaixo.com/