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Berceo-Le-Divellec
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Price:
€45. Wine: €17 |
| This
gourmet temple in one of Madrid’s more exclusive
hotels opened in 1998 and has become a by-word for sophisticated
eating. Much of its reputation rests on the shoulders
of Parisian master chef Jacques Le-Divellec whose culinary
métier is seafood. However, anyone averse to
dishes like sea bass in rum or baked tuna with curry
sauce will not be disappointed with the tournedos or
the succulent young lamb. The restaurant is formal in
style, with a plush, oak-panelled interior; its garden
terrace is in great demand during the hot summer months.
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Hotel
Villa Magna, Paseo de la Castellana 22
Telephone number: (91) 587 1234. Fax number: (91) 431
2286.
E-mail: hotel@villamagna.es
Website: http://villamagna.park.hyatt.com |
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Cabo
Mayor
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Price:
€42. Wine: €12 |
| This
superb gourmet restaurant is hidden among the office
blocks of the Chamartín district, and is a showcase
for fish dishes from Spain’s Cantabrian coast.
Hake with clams in parsley sauce, grilled turbot, sea
bream with thyme there is hardly an item on the menu
that does not entice. The atmosphere is pleasantly informal,
the main dining area, situated downstairs, is fitted
out in nautical style, with brass portholes, wood panels
and ship’s rigging. |
Juan
Ramón Jiménez 37
Telephone number: (91) 350 8776. Fax number: (91) 359
1621. |
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Café
Gijón
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Price:
€25. Wine: €10. |
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A Madrid institution, this famous literary café
first opened its doors in 1888 and is still very popular.
Patrons over the years have included the poets Federico
García Lorca and Pablo Neruda,
the film director Orson Welles and
Nobel prize-winning novelist Camilo José
Cela. The restaurant boasts a well-lit salon
and large, street-facing windows, a terrace and a basement.
There are several menus available. The menu del dia,
comprises dishes such as Spanish omelette, stuffed peppers
and hake. A tapas menu contains items such as sirloin
sandwich, prawns in garlic and anchovies. The a la carte
menu boasts Spanish specialities, such as cod in cider.
While the Spanish cooking is not outstanding, the set
lunch at €9 is good value and the location, a short
walk from Cibeles and the Banco de España, can
hardly be bettered. |
Paseo de Recoletos 21
Telephone number: (91) 521 5425.
E-mail: info@cafegijon.com
Website: http://cafegijon.com
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Las
Cuatro Estaciones
| Price:
€39. Wine: €14 |
| Situated
midway between Stazione Centrale and Stazione Porta
Garibaldi, the spacious and elegant Da Berti started
life in 1843 as the Osteria di Lader, a haunt of bandits.
It became the Nuovo Osteria della Stazione during 1866
and Berti purchased the osteria in 1936. It is now the
last authentic Madridese inn and is a favourite with
local politicians. It is essential to book in advance
to arrange an aperitif in the beautiful wine cellar
with owner Enrica Colombi or her son Pier Luigi Rotta,
before dining in one of the four yellow-walled salons
adorned with old labels and government notices above.
The restaurant serves one of the best risottos in Madrid
and is also known for its baked veal. While the salons
seat 120, a further 200 can be seated in summer under
the pergola in the garden. |
General Ibáñez
Ibero 5
Telephone number: (91) 553 6305. Fax number: (91) 553
0523 |
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Lhardy
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Price:
€54. Wine: €17. |
| This
august establishment, less than a one-minute walk from
Puerta del Sol, was founded by Frenchman Emile Lhardy
in 1839, after being told that there were no decent
restaurants in Madrid. The restaurant specialises in
traditional Castillian fare, with typical dishes including
solomillo (entrecôte), roast beef, cocido (stew)
or tripe cooked Madrid style in a tomato and wine sauce.
The tapas bar and delicatessen downstairs preserve the
original gilded mirrors, marble counters and brass fittings,
the bar is a cheaper option than the plush restaurant
on the first floor, with dishes such as soups, paella,
tortilla, fish and shellfish dishes, sausages or hams. |
Carrera
de San Jerónimo 8
Telephone number: (91) 521 3385. Fax number: (91) 523
1171.
E-mail: lhardy@lhardy.com
Website:
http://lhardy.com |
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