GOURMET’S CHOICE: KNOW YOUR GRAPES & BOOKING TABLES IN MADRID & BARCELONA

Restaurant  Arola, Hotel Arts, Barcelona: home to Spain’s  best Vermouths,
stunning signature cocktails and traditional Mediterranean cuisine
as interpreted  by Chef Sergi Arola’s exciting genius

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FOOD LOVERS’ ADVENTURES
MADRID & BARCELONA

By Margaux Cintrano

Tired of ordering the same old Rioja whenever you fancy a glass of wine? Our short bar crawl round the streets of La Latina should get you started out on the road to wine buffery .

Moreover, the very first thing pre-schoolers learn are their A B C’s.

This mini-guide is definitely for gourmets and oenophiles. I have stretched my imagination to provide a sensational adventure around the Madrid Capital and the stunning designation of Barcelona.

 MADRID´s  LA LATINA

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TABERNA DE LA EXTREMEÑA
Plaza Cebada 9
Metro Line 5:  La Latina

In recent years, Madrid´s La  Latina has undergone a startling renaissance. Knowledgeable Spaniards and international entrepreneurs  are renovating, redecorating and taking over traditional taverns, restaurants and old style caféterias, and resurrecting long forgotten regional recipes and putting a creative spin on their exemplary range of gourmet delicacies.

TABERNA DE LA EXTREMEÑA is most noted for its amazing wines, listed on their blackboard.

Rcommended red:   TENTUDIA – BODEGA VIÑA EXTREMEÑA S.A.

Recommended white:    VEGA DE LA REINA RUEDA

Ambience:   This 25 year old castizo (traditional) neighborhood bar with an upscale clientele is located across from the La Cebada Market and 150 metres from Cava Baja, considered Restaurant Row.

Bottles of approximately 40 to 50 wines are stacked on the brick walls. Listed by Denomination of Origin and Name of Wine with price are uncountable wines by the glass.

Try the Extremaduran cheese platter. It is simply amazing.

The lovely bartenders, Jacinto and Beatriz, are foreigner friendly.
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TABERNA COROLLA
Calle Almendro 13
Metro Line 5:   La Latina

A true treasure chest located on a callejon (alleyway) and the corner of Cava Baja Number 16,  is an upscale Soho styled  neighborhood tavern with brilliant salmon walls chockful of local artists´ works.  The generous and splendidly savoury canapés and approximately 35 various wines by the glass are a must check out.   

Recommended red:  Viñas del Vero Gerwurztraminer

Recommended white:   100% Albariño  Val de Salnea.

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BARCELONA

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BAR PINOTXO
Mercat de La Boqueria
Barrio Gotico

Codfish with Ratatouille

This tasca´s location is in the heart of Barcelona´s most bustling central market guaranteeing that all their tapas are made with the freshest ingredients available. This is where the Adrià Brothers and their visiting Michelin Star friends chow down.

The tapas to order are the fresh wild cod fish croquettes.  They are unforgettable.
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“Q is for Quimet”
QUIMET & QUIMET
Carrer de la Poeta Cabaynes 25
Reservations suggested:  93. 442 3142

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This tavern packs in the well know Chefs of the región, and food savvy pedestrians and tourists alike.   The owner, Quimet, highlights local Catalan products.  He has a deliciously refreshing dark house Belgian beer,  numerous canapés and tantalising tapas.  The specialties include the Albacore White Tuna Ventresca (Belly) and the grilled fresh veggies in season.

Michelin Chef Jordi Herrera Martinez
RESTAURANT MANAIRO
Diputacion 424
Reservations highly suggested:   93. 231. 0057

Chef Jordi

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The amazingly astounding interplay from the land and sea is the focus here.  Chef Jordi prepares food that is equally playful yet possessing robust natural flavors.  Seafood with a twist is one of the many specialties of the house.  

Fakir Cook

Try the FAKIR COOK which is a bed of anils that are heated over a range flame. Incredibly sensational.

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Images
Courtesy of the establishments except
>Restuarant Arola, featured image, by Imaginative Communication, CC BY-ND2.0
>La Latina Metro/Chris Parker, CC BYSA2.0
>Mercat La Boqueria/TimSackton, CC BY-SA2.0 cropped

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About Margaux
Born in Greenwich Village, Manhattan. Raised in Montreal, Canada. Relocated to Manhattan to attend New York University (1972 – 1978). There she lived with her Venetian paternal grandmother, a restaurateur and chef. This explains her profound adoration for fine epicurism.
Veteran Senior Correspondent & Publishing Journalist since 1978. Editor for Conde Nast Publications, Manhattan, 1978-1992. Gastronomic journalist project on the Aegean Islands in Greece.
Moved to her beloved Italy (1995 – 1998). Never returned to Manhattan to live.
Current: Writes for GUIDEPOST since 1999. Focus: Michelin and topnotch Food & Dessert Designers, Where to Dine in Madrid, her globe trotting adventures.