Bar Tomate

This weekend I headed to the spacious and fashionable Bar Tomate, a Grupo Tragaluz restaurant located in the Chamberi area of Madrid.  This place prides itself on serving vibrant Mediterranean market dishes with a modern twist and I have to say - it does so pretty well.

Bar Tomate provides a comfortable, welcoming and relaxed ambience with its wood-burning stove and wine bottles lining its rustic wooden shelves.  The wine list is extensive and although the menu is quite simple it still delivers some spectacular surprises.

To start we went for the "Breaded Asparagus with Romescu sauce"; the "Spanish cheese platter"; the "Pascualete Warm Cheese with Fig Jam" and the "Pancetta stone baked pizza".  The cheeses were varied and strong and the melted Pascualete (a sheep's milk cheese from Extremadura) was unusual but delicious.  The perfectly cooked asparagus worked well alongside the Romescu sauce and the pizza (albeit simple) was definitely the best of the starters with its perfectly crispy thin base.

To continue the mediterranean theme of the meal I tried the "Grilled Hake served with Black Olive Tapenade and Tomato".  The fish was perfectly cooked remaining moist and flavoursome and strong enough to hold its own alongside a generously seasoned tapenade.

For dessert we tried the "Chocolate Coulant" which was beautifully presented with a dusting of honeycomb and some vanilla bean ice cream. This could have been hotter in the middle but nonetheless it was a very pleasant pud.






After all of this spectacular food I was somewhat disappointed that Bar Tomate's staff could't match the work of their peers in the kitchen.  The waitress was rude and disobliging - something you wouldn't expect of a restaurant of this price and quality.  Nonetheless, the food is of a high standard and the restaurant is a great option for a special lunch or dinner out.

Price: 40€ per person (inc. wine)

Service: ☆☆
Food: ☆☆☆☆
Decor: ☆☆☆☆

Bar Tomate

Taxi a Manhattan

Situated just off Calle Orense, the swanky new Taxi a Manhattan is bringing a new dimension to Madrid's restaurant scene.  With its bare brick walls; high ceilings and rooftop-esque terraza this place really can transport its visitors to downtown New York.

I headed there with a few friends who were visiting from the UK and Australia and the first and most refreshing thing we noticed was just how "American" the service was with smiles and "have a nice days" replacing the short and blunt service that I so regularly and unfortunately receive in other Madrid restaurants.

To open up, we went for the "Goats Cheese Chupa Chups"; "Spanish Potato and Apple Tortilla"; "Boneless Chicken Wings with a Mango and Pico de Gallo" and "Bravas Potatoes (Madrid Manhattan style)".  The Chupa Chups were delightful alongside a subtly sweet tomato jam and the wings were outstanding with their crispy skin and bright garnish.  The tortilla and the Bravas didn't set our table alight but the other two starters made up for this - be sure to try those boneless wings!

The excitement of this American Spanish fusion cuisine came to life during our main courses.  We tried the "Chargrilled Sirloin Steak"; the "Iberian Pork Fillet with Teriyaki Orange Marinade, Parmesan and Pineapple Jam" and the "Chantarella Ravioli with Ricotta and a Foie and Beer sauce".  The steak was cooked well and served with chips and padrón peppers but the pork really stole the show - perfectly tender and splendidly balanced with it's sweet accompaniments. The wildcard ravioli dish came with small chunks of butternut squash in the sauce and was also absolutely delicious.

For dessert we opted to share the "M&M brownie" and the "Taxi Cheesecake"  Both were very pleasant but my only criticism here would be the vanilla ice cream which came alongside which was a little on the icy and airy side.  This however was not enough to tarnish a fabulous evening. 

Taxi a Manhattan is funky and fresh and really brings something different to the city and the area.  It's team are really putting the fun into good quality and innovative food and they deserve to be as busy as they are.  Book a table and catch a taxi to Manhattan - you won't regret it!

Price: 40€ per person (inc. wine)

Service: ☆☆☆☆☆
Food: ☆☆☆☆☆
Decor: ☆☆☆☆☆



Calle de la Basilica 17 (Nearest Metro: Nuevos Ministerios or Alvarado)

http://taxiamanhattan.com 

La Barra del Caciquito

With the heat of the summer making an early springtime appearance I decided to head to La Barra del Caciquito's terraza last night on Calle del Padre Damian for supper.  Located alongside it's big brother (El Cacique), this relatively new restaurant is spacious and a very tastefully decorated.

The extensive and international menu provides a delicious range of dishes for breakfast, lunch, "merienda" and dinner so we decided to try several of their raciones to see if the food matched up to the friendly staff and pleasant feel of the place. 

First of all we opted for the "Salmorejo" and the "Iberian Pork Fillet Toast with Brie and Caramelized Onion". The Cordoban classic didn't dissapoint and the toast was absolutely mouth-watering.  The pork was cooked perfectly and the soft sweetness of the caramalized onion underneath the brie was a true delight.

We then went on to try the "Calamari Rings with Ali Oli" and the "Red Shrimp and Langoustine Croquetas". The lightly battered calamari was exceptionally tasty alongside the zing of the lemon juice and the punch of the garlic mayonnaise.  The croquetas were also delicious with a generous amount of langoustine chunks to keep us entertained. The house white we had to accompany (Verdejo Siglo XXI) was dry and crisp and perfect for chilling out in the warmth of the terraza.

For dessert we picked the Tiramisu ice cream which was pleasant but nothing special. I was dissapointed that a restaurant of this calibre would serve it in a plastic cup straight out of the freezer.  Perhaps we should have gone for some of the delectable cakes which others were trying out on other tables.

All in all, La Barra del Caciquito would definitely get my recommendation.  The staff were attentive and well-mannered and given the quality of the food it is definitely good value for money.  A relaxing experience away from the hustle and bustle of busier areas of the city.

Price: 35€ per person (inc. wine)

Service: ☆☆☆☆☆
Food: ☆☆☆☆
Decor: ☆☆☆☆



Calle del Padre Damian 47 (Nearest Metro: Plaza de Castilla)





www.delcacique.es

Tandoori Station

Madrid certainly isn't renowned for having a diverse Indian food scene, however, Tandoori Station on Ortega y Gasset is said to be one of the city's best spots for a good curry. I decided to head there with a group of friends to see what all of the fuss was about.

This spacious restaurant aims to transport its visitors across to London - a hub for subcontinental cuisine - by offering a wide range of Indian delicacies with a modern twist. After the obligatory poppadoms and chutneys, we started off by trying the "Onion Bhajis", the "Vegetable Pakoras" and the "Samosas".  Although they were tasty and not too greasy, they certainly weren't the showstoppers I had expected from one of Madrid's supposed best Indian restaurants.

During the main course, I had the chance to try several of their curries, breads and rice dishes.  The "Murghi Ki Balti" was the highlight with its strong coriander punch and succulent chicken breast pieces.  We also tried the "Murghi Ka Tikka Masala", the "Gosht Ke Pasande", the "Gosht Ka Vindaloo", the "Murghi Makhan Wali" and the "Murghi Madra Wali".  The Pasande sauce was creamy and tasty but not the best match for the lamb.  The Chicken Tikka Masala was pleasant but again, the balance of flavours was not spectacular.  Some of the boys dared to dip into the Vindaloo and the Madras, but I didn't, so I wouldn't like to comment on these fiery dishes. To accompany our curries we tried the "Puri Aire Frito" and the "Badami Naan" which didn't dissapoint - I had forgotten how much I had missed the smokey flavours of the tandoor.

Although the food was enjoyable at Tandoori Station, I must admit that the experience was a bit of dissapointment.  The staff weren't overly accomodating and for the quality of food we received it was overpriced.  I've been to several other Indian restaurants in Madrid which provide a similar standard of food for a considerably lower price (but without the "finish" given by Tandoori Station).  It seems like the perfect excuse to continue my shop around for my favourite curry in Madrid!

Price: 35€ per person (2 courses and wine / beer)

Service: ☆☆
Food: ☆☆☆
Decor: ☆☆☆

Calle Ortega y Gasset, 89 (nearest Lista or Manuel Becerra)

www.tandooristation.com

Dray Martina

Hidden away on Calle Argensola near the Plaza de Alonso Martinez is Dray Martina, a trendy and intimate establishment serving spectacular Spanish food with a difference.  A visit for dinner on Friday night has catapulted this restaurant to the top of my #MunchinginMadrid list with its innovative reinvention of classic national dishes.

We started off by trying the "Salmorejo" (a cold Cordoban soup consisting off tomato, bread, oil, garlic and vinegar) which was served with a scoop of goats cheese ice cream; crispy Spanish ham and soft warm flatbread. The strong hints of garlic came together wonderfully with the subtle sweetness of the goats cheese making this typically unexciting dish into a spectacular fusion of flavours.

For our next course, we tucked into some "Grilled Majorero Cheese with a Pine Nut and Honey topping". This goats milk based cheese from the Canary Islands packed a punch with its nutty taste and the sweetness and crunchiness of the honey and pine nuts made this into a perfectly balanced plate of food.

The chef then went on to reinvent another legendary Spanish delicacy by serving us "Pear, Cured Ham and Spinach Croquettes".  The saltiness of the cured meat with the sweet and light flavour of pear was absolutely out of this world. Let's just hope they keep this masterpiece on the menu permanently.

We also tried one of Dray Martina's trademark dishes, the "Deconstructed Calamari Bocadillo". This was comprised of a flatbread; crispy fried battered calamari; sweet red peppers; alioli (garlic mayo) and the traditional wedge of lemon to squeeze on top to finish. The variety of textures and flavours also made this a true delight.

After an amazing array of starters we moved on to main course ordering a "Boletus and Cuttlefish Rice" and "Duck Magret with Pumpkin, Grapes and Mangetout".  The rice dish (which was served with alioli) brought together nicely the strong earthy flavours of mushroom with the richness of the cuttlefish making it a pleasant but hearty choice.  The seared duck breast was cooked to perfection and splendidly complimented by the velvety texture of the pumpkin and the sweetness of the red grapes.

Alongside our meal we enjoyed a fine bottle of Les Cousins L'Inconscient (2011), a fresh but full-bodied Catalan wine with a semi-sweet aftertaste which was recommended to us to go specifically alongside the rice dish. The wine list was extensive and the staff were helpful as we made our decision.

Overall, the Dray Martina experience was exceptional.  The service was friendly; the place had a real buzz about it and the food was of a fantastic quality for the price we paid.  One visit will turn you into a regular at this modest but brilliant restaurant.

Price: 45€ per person (3 courses and wine)

Service: ☆☆☆☆☆
Food: ☆☆☆☆☆
Decor: ☆☆☆☆☆

Calle Argensola, 7 (nearest Metro Colón or Alonso Martinez)

www.draymartina.com