I think it would be good to get something going for us "madrile�os" about the un-Spanish places we like here in Madrid.
One of the other topics degenerated into a conversation about sushi and where we like it.
If we keep it under this topic, it will be a little easier for newcomers to track.
I personally would like some feedback on opinions about Mexican restaurants here. I have never been to Mexico but love the food at Entre Suspiro y Suspiro. But a lot of my Mexican oriented friends tell me it is not too authentic. I don't know but it sure tastes good to me. So how bout a little advise here?????
Ok, I am not sure if this is authentic but it makes for some good after or mid clubbing munchies .
I am of course refering to the Turkish Doner Kebap (CLICK HERE FOR THE ONE ON CALLE CRUZ JUST OFF PUERTA DEL SOL) places that have sprung up in huge numbers in the last year or so. A veritable field day for lamb (actually that mixed meat stuff) or chicken kebaps, fallafel, and other Turkish fast food delights.
There are many in Madrid but I find the most tasty one to be the ONE ON CALLE CRUZ. The only bad thing is that many of them do not have tables to sit and relax as you eat.
I like those Turkish places as well.. There is one on Jacometrezo that I go to all the time. I am glad to hear about one on Cruz. I use them as an alternative to calling for pizza when I just want to chill at home. I get one of those 500 pts (soon to be 3�) things to go and that takes care of dinner.
And talking about calling for pizza, I would sure appreciate some clue as to where you can order a good one from now. I used to like Pizza Hut but when they sold out to Burger King the quality went right down the toilet (which is about the only place you can put their pizzas now.) Telepizza is crap on wheels too. Domino does not deliver to this part of town. So what's left for us in Old Madrid??? Trucking over to Emma and Julia on Cava Baja and carrying it back. But I like it delivered when I am just lazying around the house......
I've been eating in a Mexican Restaurant called "Si Se�or", placed in La Castellana, between El Bernabeu and Los Nuevos Ministerios.
The first time I went there I liked it very much. There was mexican musicians among the tables singing and playing their guitars. It was two years ago. This September I went back there but, it let me down a lot. There was no music and the waiters were very very slow.
At this moment, I wouldn't recommed it to you. Maybe, if they improved again ...
Sorry!
Posts: 191 | Location: madrid | Registered: 10 December 2001
Hi. Thanks for the info.... I went to Si Se�or about two or three (?) years ago when they opened. My evaluation of Si Se�or then was definitely "No Se�or". I actually got sick after eating there.. the same thing that happened to me at that place on the Plaza Mayor that advertises that Hemingway never ate there.. which goes to prove that Hemingway was a very intelligent or lucky man.
For Mexican, I still like Entre Suspiro y Suspiro. There is also a little place on the Plaza del Alamillo near the Plaza de la Paja that was pretty good. And my friends tell me pretty authentic. But in Madrid so many new ones have opened, I am hoping for some feedback from the participants here.
BTW, has anyone found a decent Indian restaurant in Madrid?? My experiences have left me a little disappointed.
Hmmmm... the only Mexican place I ever went to in Madrid was one behind the Plaza de Espa�a on Calle San Bernardino (?) and it was horrible. I am no pro on this type of food (or any type for that matter) but I go sick aftereards which is usually a bad sign. I do not remember the name of the place and it was years ago, I am over it now
Hey Richard, yeah, that place at the foot of the Arco de Cuchilleros si called "EL Cuchi N�3" ("Carlos and Charlies") and I have eaten there once, not impressed either and if "El Cuchi" N�1 and 2 exist, I hope they are better than old N�3 (Actually, the N�3 refers to the street # on Calle Cuchilleros but I could not resist the joke).
* You can also see the place in my Arco de Cuchillerso panoramic by CLICKING HERE.
I have also heard great things about the place in the Plaza del Alamillo and it looks very nice and is in a secluded and quit area.
I will have to try "Entre Suspir y Suspiro", can you give us the address?
As for the Pizza deliverey to us "Old Madrid" dwellers, I continue to order Pizza Hut since, while not awesome pizza, it is still the best delivery pizza available.
Hi Jer. Bout the Mexican-experience. You went to one of the original Mexican places in Madrid that is actually part of a mini-chain run by an American expat. There are three of them: two behind the Plaza Espa�a and one out near the Plaza de Peru. They are what is called TexMex and the Madrid answer to Taco Bell. Not to be recommended unless you have an iron stomach. I am trying to remember the names of them but can only come up with two: Mexico Lindo and El Charo. Think the first one is the one out by Plaza de Peru and the other one is behind Plaza Espa�a.
Entre Suspiro y Suspiro is on Ca�os de Peral, 3 which is that street that goes up to Plaza Sto. Domingo from the Real Cinema in Opera. The phone number is 915420644.
They must really shudder when you call in to Pizza Hut to order.. that's quite a climb up to your place!!!
Hey buddy, yep! The pizza (and any other food for that matter) delivery guy always has a witty comment to make about the climb up the seemingly endless stairs to my apt (well worth the view though), but they don't complain much after I give them a 30 or 400 peseta tip .
Actually, the delivery guys have the worst of the deal since at least other people who come visit me get to come in and see the view of the Plaza but the furthest the food guys get is the front door, raw deal if you ask me!
Thing is that most Spaniards do not tip at all or just 25 or 50 peseatas on a deliver(as if the delivery persons 700 peseta/hour salary were enough) but I used to deliver pizza in high school and college and I know what it is like so I always tip well.
Hey, you think the Pizza guy has a hard time coming to my place, how about the "Butanero" (guy who delivers the "Bombona de Butano" "Butane Gas Tank") every 3 weeks or so
You should have seen the faces of the IKEA guys when they came to deliver the loads of furniture we bought when we moved in. If looks could kill
Has anyone ever actually weighed a full Butane tank?
I think "M�xico Lindo" rings a bell for the one I tried years ago behind the Plaza de Espa�a and, as you have confirmed its nastiness, I will let it die now
Thanks fpr the address on Entre Suspiro y Suspiro, it is actualy in my old stompin' grounds since I used to live around the corner on calle Leganitos
Those butane tanks can be a killer. They aren't exactly the lightest thing to carry very far. I know, having done it myself. Fortunately it isn't the 100 lb. variety like we often have here in the States. Those beasts would be impossible...
Every three weeks? Wow! Does that include heat, hot water, and cooking? How much does a small tank cost? Sounds like utilities can be a costly thing...
JP (Who loves the advantage of everything being "piped in" to his home, and doesn't take it for granted as much as most Americans.)
Posts: 121 | Location: x | Registered: 21 June 2001
Actually, I find the gas canister thing rather cheap.
The tank lasts my girlfriend and I about 3 weeks to a month and covers hot water, cooking gas and heat in winter when we use the old butane gas heater (amazing invention ).
A tank only costs 1.500 pesetas (about $8) so we get everythign except electricity for $8 a month
Electricity is a bit steeper and runs us about $35/month which is still pretty cheap.
I think I spend more on phone and internet than anything else, my ADSL line is 7.000 pesetas/month. ($40) but I don't think I could live without it and from what I have heard it is even more stateside.
Ok, at the risk of going way off topic here I just had to post this PHOTO OF A "BOMBONA DE BUTANO" (click the link at left to see the Spanish Butane Gas Tanks mentioned in posts above). It even looks heavy
Can't have my visitors wondering what on earth we are talking about
So, while that is the most widely used tank, there is a new model which it thinner, taller and weighs half as much but your house/apt. has to be adapted to it in order to use it and not many are.
Well, I ate there once (a few months ago) and the food is very good in my opinion but dinner was a bit expensive. I have been told that their "men� del d�a" ("menu of the day") for lunch is also very good and is reasonably priced.
Saludos, jer...
p.d. Major correction on the Mexican restaurant that made me ill years ago, it was NOT "M�xico Lindo" but rather "A todo M�xico" on Calle San Bernardino behind the PLAZA DE ESPA�A.
Hi again Richard and friends. Well, it is new years day and I am going to try to have dinner tonight (if it is open) at Richards favorite Sushi restaurant...
quote:
"Sushi: I am a nut on this too. And in Madrid we are in luck because the basic ingredient is fish and where better than in the second fish consuming country in the world after Japan??? One of my favorites is definitely "Musashi" (Las Conchas, 4). That's a little tiny street between Opera and Callao. This is a little unpretentious place that is always full of Japanese and young in-the-know Madrile�os. Inexpensive but really good food."
"Musashi" is located in the very center of Madrid (click the link below for the cool map):
Hi all, well... with respect to that last post of mine above from Jan 1st where I was heading over to Musashi to see if I could get a reservation for dinner on New Years day, I did go by but it was closed as are most things on Jan. 1.
I did get a photo of the place for you all and you can see it BY CLICKING HERE
Kinda looks like a jail from the outside when it is all closed up but we will have to take Richard's (very trustworthy) word on the great Sushi they serve up as I have only been there for lunch.
.
- rent or buy a cell phone from me for your stay in spain, more info at 
- already have a cell phone, get a spanish SIM card for it at 
as are most things on Jan. 1.
