Tasting wine in Madrid
Nov 14th, 2007, 09:44 AM
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Tasting wine in Madrid
* ALOQUE at calle Torrecilla del Leal 20. The wine list in this cozy little bar has more than 300 varieties to choose from, either by the glass or bottle, enough to satisfy the most demanding oenophile. In addition to Riojas and Penedes, you'll find new Spanish wine-producing areas such as Toro and Somontano. Something to eat: cecina (cold cut smoked beef). Open: 7:30pm to 0:30am.
* MATRITUM at calle Cava Alta 17. You just need to look at the paintings on the walls to see that this is a place where wine is appreciated. You can order it by the glass or the bottle from a wide selection of wines from around Spain, especially wines from Catalonia. There are Cavas (similar to Champagne) and sweet wines as well. Something to eat: tosta de foie (foie on toast). Open: 1:30pm to 4:30pm & 20:30pm to 0:30am.
* LA VENENCIA at calle Echegaray 7. La Venencia is a bohemian sherry bar located dead center of Madrid, named after a long narrow tool used to sample wines through a small opening in sherry butts (casks). This cavernous bar sells five different styles of sherry to choose from: oloroso, fino, manzanilla, and a few personal creations from the bar. Let your mind wander across the dusty old shelves, suck up the surroundings, and sip ever so slowly on your favorite sherry. Something to eat: lomo embuchado (cold cut cured pork loin). Open: 1pm to 3:30pm & 7:30pm to 2am.
* TABERNA TEMPRANILLO at calle Cava Baja 38. You will find this long-established and distinguished wine bar in the heart of the old town. Its wine list offers more than 160 varieties of the best Spanish wines by the glass or bottle. Something to eat: the house specialty is revuelto de setas (a wild mushroom in scrambled egg). Open: 1pm to 3:45pm & 8pm to 12pm.
* EL QUINTO VINO at calle Hernani 48. No less than 300 wines, by the glass or bottle, are on offer at this wine bar or Andalusian tavern. There are two rooms where you can sit or stand at the bar and try these excellent wines accompanied by tasty portions of the house specials, like the homemade croquettes or ensaladilla rusa (potatoe and vegetables salad with mayonnaise). Open: 1pm to 4pm & 9pm to 12pm.
* TABERNEROS at calle Santiago 9. Superb selection of Spanish wines like Cigales or Penedes. The by-the-glass wine program is excellent and the food is very good too. The only dissapointment is the rather rude staff. Open: 1:30pm to 4pm & 8:30pm to 12pm.
* TABERNA BILBAO at calle Costanilla de San Andrés 8. A Basque bar for good Rioja or a refreshing glass of typical white wine (Txakoli). Something to eat: delicias de Idiazábal (a homemade cheese delicatessen).
* GONZÁLEZ at calle León 12. This bar located at the black of well-stocked deli, is particularly popular with members of Madrid’s discerning media world. It's run by a university professor whose love of fine food and wine is self-evident. Something to eat: Spanish cheese tray. Don't miss the amazing "Torta del Casar" cheese.
* O CALDIÑO at calle Lagasca 74. O Caldiño, a wonderfully atmospheric Galician bar, offers by the glass typical Galician white wine (Albariño or Ribeiro). Something to eat: caldo (broth) or pulpo a la gallega (slices of steamed octopus with sweet paprika and olive oil).
* EL MIAJÓN DE LOS CASTÚOS at calle Infanta Mercedes 46. Wines from Extremadura by the glass: Tierra de Barros or Ribera del Guadiana. Something to eat: high quality jamón ibérico.
* BUBANGO at calle Bravo Murillo 37. Rare opportunity to taste wines from Canary Islands.Wines from Tacoronte or Orotava. Something to eat: Queso con mojo (fried cheese with Canarian sauce).
Other highly atmospheric tabernas:
* TABERNA ANGEL SIERRA at calle Gravina, 11. Well-known ancient tavern located in the gay scene but visited by a mixed crowd. Try vermú de grifo (draught vermouth) and alcachofa con anchoa (artichoke with salted anchovie).
* TIENDA DE VINOS aka EL COMUNISTA since... nobody know it. Cheap wine and honest home cooking.
* BODEGA LA ARDOSA at calle Colón 13. Painter Goya visited the tavern formerly located in this same place. "La Ardosa" installed the first draught Guinness in Madrid 90 years later. Something to eat in this tiny tavern: croqueta de carabinero (red prawn croquette) or great Spanish tortilla.
* LA TORRE DEL ORO at Plaza Mayor 20. Bullfight atmosphere. Something to eat: gambas al ajillo (garlicky prawns).
* BODEGAS RICLA at calle Cuchilleros 6. A modest traditional tavern. Something to eat: canapé de bacalao (cod in olive oil canapé
.
* EL ALMENDRO 13 at calle Almendro 13 of course. Wine: Manzanilla.
* LA CASA DEL ABUELO at calle Victoria 12. Sweet wine "El Abuelo" and gambas a la plancha (grilled prawns).
* CASA TONI at calle de la Cruz 14. Vermouth and pimientos de Padrón (fried small green pepper).
* CASA ALBERTO at calle Huertas 18. Lovely tavern established in 1827 on the street level of the house where Cervantes lived briefy in Madrid. Something to eat: morcilla (black sausage).
* TABERNA DE ANTONIO SÁNCHEZ at calle Mesón de Paredes 13. Established in 1830 by a bullfighter called Antonio Sánchez.
* MATRITUM at calle Cava Alta 17. You just need to look at the paintings on the walls to see that this is a place where wine is appreciated. You can order it by the glass or the bottle from a wide selection of wines from around Spain, especially wines from Catalonia. There are Cavas (similar to Champagne) and sweet wines as well. Something to eat: tosta de foie (foie on toast). Open: 1:30pm to 4:30pm & 20:30pm to 0:30am.
* LA VENENCIA at calle Echegaray 7. La Venencia is a bohemian sherry bar located dead center of Madrid, named after a long narrow tool used to sample wines through a small opening in sherry butts (casks). This cavernous bar sells five different styles of sherry to choose from: oloroso, fino, manzanilla, and a few personal creations from the bar. Let your mind wander across the dusty old shelves, suck up the surroundings, and sip ever so slowly on your favorite sherry. Something to eat: lomo embuchado (cold cut cured pork loin). Open: 1pm to 3:30pm & 7:30pm to 2am.
* TABERNA TEMPRANILLO at calle Cava Baja 38. You will find this long-established and distinguished wine bar in the heart of the old town. Its wine list offers more than 160 varieties of the best Spanish wines by the glass or bottle. Something to eat: the house specialty is revuelto de setas (a wild mushroom in scrambled egg). Open: 1pm to 3:45pm & 8pm to 12pm.
* EL QUINTO VINO at calle Hernani 48. No less than 300 wines, by the glass or bottle, are on offer at this wine bar or Andalusian tavern. There are two rooms where you can sit or stand at the bar and try these excellent wines accompanied by tasty portions of the house specials, like the homemade croquettes or ensaladilla rusa (potatoe and vegetables salad with mayonnaise). Open: 1pm to 4pm & 9pm to 12pm.
* TABERNEROS at calle Santiago 9. Superb selection of Spanish wines like Cigales or Penedes. The by-the-glass wine program is excellent and the food is very good too. The only dissapointment is the rather rude staff. Open: 1:30pm to 4pm & 8:30pm to 12pm.
* TABERNA BILBAO at calle Costanilla de San Andrés 8. A Basque bar for good Rioja or a refreshing glass of typical white wine (Txakoli). Something to eat: delicias de Idiazábal (a homemade cheese delicatessen).
* GONZÁLEZ at calle León 12. This bar located at the black of well-stocked deli, is particularly popular with members of Madrid’s discerning media world. It's run by a university professor whose love of fine food and wine is self-evident. Something to eat: Spanish cheese tray. Don't miss the amazing "Torta del Casar" cheese.
* O CALDIÑO at calle Lagasca 74. O Caldiño, a wonderfully atmospheric Galician bar, offers by the glass typical Galician white wine (Albariño or Ribeiro). Something to eat: caldo (broth) or pulpo a la gallega (slices of steamed octopus with sweet paprika and olive oil).
* EL MIAJÓN DE LOS CASTÚOS at calle Infanta Mercedes 46. Wines from Extremadura by the glass: Tierra de Barros or Ribera del Guadiana. Something to eat: high quality jamón ibérico.
* BUBANGO at calle Bravo Murillo 37. Rare opportunity to taste wines from Canary Islands.Wines from Tacoronte or Orotava. Something to eat: Queso con mojo (fried cheese with Canarian sauce).
Other highly atmospheric tabernas:
* TABERNA ANGEL SIERRA at calle Gravina, 11. Well-known ancient tavern located in the gay scene but visited by a mixed crowd. Try vermú de grifo (draught vermouth) and alcachofa con anchoa (artichoke with salted anchovie).
* TIENDA DE VINOS aka EL COMUNISTA since... nobody know it. Cheap wine and honest home cooking.
* BODEGA LA ARDOSA at calle Colón 13. Painter Goya visited the tavern formerly located in this same place. "La Ardosa" installed the first draught Guinness in Madrid 90 years later. Something to eat in this tiny tavern: croqueta de carabinero (red prawn croquette) or great Spanish tortilla.
* LA TORRE DEL ORO at Plaza Mayor 20. Bullfight atmosphere. Something to eat: gambas al ajillo (garlicky prawns).
* BODEGAS RICLA at calle Cuchilleros 6. A modest traditional tavern. Something to eat: canapé de bacalao (cod in olive oil canapé
.* EL ALMENDRO 13 at calle Almendro 13 of course. Wine: Manzanilla.
* LA CASA DEL ABUELO at calle Victoria 12. Sweet wine "El Abuelo" and gambas a la plancha (grilled prawns).
* CASA TONI at calle de la Cruz 14. Vermouth and pimientos de Padrón (fried small green pepper).
* CASA ALBERTO at calle Huertas 18. Lovely tavern established in 1827 on the street level of the house where Cervantes lived briefy in Madrid. Something to eat: morcilla (black sausage).
* TABERNA DE ANTONIO SÁNCHEZ at calle Mesón de Paredes 13. Established in 1830 by a bullfighter called Antonio Sánchez.
Feb 9th, 2008, 05:28 AM
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Hi Revulgo what a great list. I just saved it. You are so considerate of us.
If you were going with 10 to 20 frinds or relatives in Madrid for a nice but reasonable lunch or dinner, where would you go?
Thanks
ams
If you were going with 10 to 20 frinds or relatives in Madrid for a nice but reasonable lunch or dinner, where would you go?
Thanks
ams
Feb 9th, 2008, 02:46 PM
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Ditto to the great job, Revulgo.
Of those on your list, our very favorites in Old Madrid are the exemplary Matritum and Taberneros (same owners) and González (very reasonably priced). Heaven for wine lovers.
I'd just like to add three winners on Calle Menorca, just above Retiro Park-our new favorite "restaurant row".
Taberna Laredo, on Menorca 14.
Only 8 highly coveted tall tables (must, must reserve), always jam packed at the bar. Specialties are shellfish, particularly their shrimp (gamba roja). 300 wine labels, Riedel stemware.
Open 11:45-4:30, 8:15-midnight.
Closed Sun.
915733061
Venta la Hidalguía, on Menorca 15.
Serves creative dishes from Castilla-la Mancha and also has a small deli. Garlic from las Pedroñeras, cheeses, oils, wines, foie and patés, eggplant (berenjenas) from Almagro. Very reasonable and interesting Manchegan wines by the glass. Cute decor. Just a few tall tables in front, a couple of tables for a full meal in back.
Open 11-4 and 7:30-midnight.
Closed Sat. and Sun. nights.
915736822
Barandales on Menorca 33.
First restaurant-shop to specialize in gourmet products and wines from Zamora and León. Unbeatable menú del día in contemporary 915572152downstairs dining room for 14.50, available at night as well as at lunch. New.
Negur Etxea on Menorca 44 at very top of street.
Nicely priced, very traditional Basque pintxos bar (chef cooked with Martín Berasategui). Impeccable raw ingredients, the best of the market-jamón de Guijuelo, pencas (Swiss chard) rellenas de Brie, mejillones (mussels) al txakolí, patatas a la Riojana.
Each day a special stew such as marmitako, porrusalda or alubias (beans) de Tolosa.
With each drink comes a complimentary cup of broth and a small pintxo.
Reasonable prices for this fashionable neighborhood.
High tables in front, a small, 6 table dining room in back where one can dine more formally, 3 courses, wine, patxarán, for under 40€ per person.
Open 1:30-5 and 8-midnight.
Closed Sun./Aug.
915745668
Of those on your list, our very favorites in Old Madrid are the exemplary Matritum and Taberneros (same owners) and González (very reasonably priced). Heaven for wine lovers.
I'd just like to add three winners on Calle Menorca, just above Retiro Park-our new favorite "restaurant row".
Taberna Laredo, on Menorca 14.
Only 8 highly coveted tall tables (must, must reserve), always jam packed at the bar. Specialties are shellfish, particularly their shrimp (gamba roja). 300 wine labels, Riedel stemware.
Open 11:45-4:30, 8:15-midnight.
Closed Sun.
915733061
Venta la Hidalguía, on Menorca 15.
Serves creative dishes from Castilla-la Mancha and also has a small deli. Garlic from las Pedroñeras, cheeses, oils, wines, foie and patés, eggplant (berenjenas) from Almagro. Very reasonable and interesting Manchegan wines by the glass. Cute decor. Just a few tall tables in front, a couple of tables for a full meal in back.
Open 11-4 and 7:30-midnight.
Closed Sat. and Sun. nights.
915736822
Barandales on Menorca 33.
First restaurant-shop to specialize in gourmet products and wines from Zamora and León. Unbeatable menú del día in contemporary 915572152downstairs dining room for 14.50, available at night as well as at lunch. New.
Negur Etxea on Menorca 44 at very top of street.
Nicely priced, very traditional Basque pintxos bar (chef cooked with Martín Berasategui). Impeccable raw ingredients, the best of the market-jamón de Guijuelo, pencas (Swiss chard) rellenas de Brie, mejillones (mussels) al txakolí, patatas a la Riojana.
Each day a special stew such as marmitako, porrusalda or alubias (beans) de Tolosa.
With each drink comes a complimentary cup of broth and a small pintxo.
Reasonable prices for this fashionable neighborhood.
High tables in front, a small, 6 table dining room in back where one can dine more formally, 3 courses, wine, patxarán, for under 40€ per person.
Open 1:30-5 and 8-midnight.
Closed Sun./Aug.
915745668
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Feb 10th, 2008, 11:08 AM
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Don't know how the phone # for Barandales got in the middle of the description!
Anyway, it has very decent prices on gourmet items such as red peppers, alubias (beans), chorizo, cheeses and great wines from Toro.
And it's one of the few places in the city where you can try the unique "cocido maragato", a version of the traditional Madrid "cocido" (a type of pot au feu).
In the Maragatería area of León province, the 3 courses that constitute this dish are eaten backwards-first the meats, then the vegetables, then the soup (broth).
That way, what is left over is the least interesting part of the meal.
And there will always be some left over!
The cocido maragato is almost always on the menú del día-but beware, it's a soporific dish of gargantuan proportions!
Anyway, it has very decent prices on gourmet items such as red peppers, alubias (beans), chorizo, cheeses and great wines from Toro.
And it's one of the few places in the city where you can try the unique "cocido maragato", a version of the traditional Madrid "cocido" (a type of pot au feu).
In the Maragatería area of León province, the 3 courses that constitute this dish are eaten backwards-first the meats, then the vegetables, then the soup (broth).
That way, what is left over is the least interesting part of the meal.
And there will always be some left over!
The cocido maragato is almost always on the menú del día-but beware, it's a soporific dish of gargantuan proportions!
