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