Honestly:Recommended!

DStage

www.dstageconcept.com

What? Easy. Everything. The relaxed decor. The classy service. This is an event, unique in and of itself. A world class experience. Go, try and be astounded. Book now (for November) and see. Save the pennies and the 12 course menu can come in, with drinks, at just over €100.

Seafood at Ribiera Do Mino

http://www.marisqueriaribeiradomino.com/

Top class grills/parilladas filled with prawns and the like. Delicious boiled platters too, piled 25cm high with all manner of other goodies. This is the simplest cooking, but takes no less skill to make the most of the best ingredients going. Take your nutcrackers, don't forget to try the pulpo as a starter.

Queimada at Ribiera Do Mino

http://www.marisqueriaribeiradomino.com/

Hubble, bubble, toil and trouble,
Orujo, slice o' lemon and coffee at the double. 


The legendary Galacian concoction is fully fuelled at RdM. You'll be ladelling liquid fire for a good few minutes, so get a friend to read out the incantation as you go. Not for the foodie faint-hearted or, to be serious for a moment, anyone nervous of naked flames, this is surely the most intense after dinner drink in town.


Peshwari Naan at Moharaj Ave Maria 26

We're can't honestly say this is the best Naan going in the MCC (cricket fans keep calm, we're talking the Madrid Curry Corner). There are some who've surely surveyed Lavapies and could do the sort of comparative tasting sessions we only dream about having the time to carry out and stamina to exercise away.

But for a sweet, tasty and self-evidently just-baked (burnt fingertips beware) burst of goodness, add this to your lunchtime repast. The remaining splodges of your curry sauces will thank you for it. Metaphorically. Obviously. Failing that, you can thank yourself. Or even us.

B

Classic Margarita at La Taqueria de Birrä, Comendadores.

http://www.lastaquerias.com/comendadoras

This might just be the best Margarita in town. Better ones deserve trying, that's for sure. This is not slushy. There's no silly jug thing and unhelpful unfriendly straw. Let's face it, plastic straws suck. Nope. This is just lime, tequila and the usual suspects. Shaken, not stirred, Mr Bond. At your table. And poured into a proper cocktail glass. Sip. Carefully. If having more than two be sure to write your address on a post it and stick it somewhere the staff can see so they know where to send the taxi driver with you.

B

Chocolate-Orange Cake at La Jalapeña

https://www.facebook.com/lajalapenia/

An absolutely outstanding concoction of orange, chocolate ganache, liqueur, sponge and chilli, this is the best dessert we've had so far this year. Double points for a dish that is just as good after dinner as it would be as afternoon tea.

It had to be a Mexican restaurant, I guess. Chocolate's an aztec word, after all. But this dish, even though it's at the top of the pyramid, is no sacrifice.

B

Roast Lamb at Casa Maruja

Casa 

Maruja

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Casa-Maruja/103272746822604

Time for a jaunt out beyond the suburbs? Fancy exploring a bit of the hinterland? There's more to the north west than handbags in Las Rozas Village and tourists at El Escorial...

In the words of Jarvis Cocker, This is Hardcore. Order according to the number of eaters, expect a serving platter half the width of the table and weighing it down with kilos of meat and spuds.

The classic wood-burning oven means your lunch is infused with a spicy, smoky flavour you can only get from the real thing. You'll never watch an episode of Timmy Time the same way again.

B

Cafe Latte at Federal

http://www.federalcafe.es/madrid/

Dreaming of fresh milk in your coffee instead of a daily dose of UHT? After a decent-sized big mug not your typical cup 'n' saucer job? Need froth more than a fish needs a bicycle? Or a hipster needs a puncture repair kit?

It's not the cheapest in town. You'll be surrounded by tech-toting millenials or, if you're really lucky, some joker might decide to set up their folding bike in front of you. But you'll probably be back for another as this is a classy cup's worth that's as good as any we've had.

No IT allowed at weekends these days, but even so, be prepared to queue to get in.

B

Pork Loin in Mustard/Solomillo con Mostaza at Lamian

http://lamianconcept.com/

Fusion. It's all the rage. The trick is not to weld two random cuisines into one dish. We don't need Cocido Shepherd's Pie or Jerk Gnocchi. Instead, take a dish from A and add just a quality ingredient or technique from B. Lamian does this with its terrific mustardy, acidy pork dish. Best shared, but lacking rice or noodle to exploit the terrific sauce.

We all know, Fusion is the same wherever we go, There is good and bad in all if it. But if it learns to give each other dish what it needs to survive in the market, it'll be better. Together. Alive. Can ebony soy sauce and ivory mustard live together in perfect harmony? Side by side on the menu chalkboard, oh lord, why can't we?

Try it, I mean.

B

Shopping at Cámara Agraria

http://www.camaraagraria.org/

It's Madrid's biggest farmer's market, so they tell me. In fact, it's a fairly small location, but from Sol, I guess it is quite far away. Pricey but classy artisan cheese, beer, and oil. Fresh-as-it-can-be fruit and veg at near wholesale prices.  In season, tomatoes are a must, and you should be ready - but trust us happy - to queue for them. And never, in Madrid history, have so many leeks been bought by so many old ladies for the price of so few.

There's a surprisingly limited choice of chorizo and such like, but when you add wine tasting and tapas at €1 a throw, you're in for a fun Saturday morning.

B

More recommendatations soon...