Sara In-Madrid

Live Music in a Cool Setting

Don't tell me you haven't visited the coolest bar in Madrid!The venue opened 15 years ago and was host to up-and-coming musicians such as Perico Sambeat, Abdu Salim, Jorge Rossi, Ramón Cardo. With daily soul and jazz performances plus jam sessions, this is the definition of a hotspot.

etiquetas: cafe , jazz , music , nightlife

Great Electronic Repair Shop

If you're near Chueca, take your broken appliances to Electricidad Moreno. This small and slightly run down store is stacked floor to ceiling with old appliances, parts, and all that’s needed to repair them. They promise to “fix anything from a blender to a washing machine,” and the cost of the service is contingent on the appliance. Although they specialise in pressure cookers, the boys at Moreno will repair almost anything and all within a few days. The endless list includes printers, microwaves, plasma TVs, fax machines and everything in between. Their no fuss, straightforward approach to repair will ensure a fair assessment.

etiquetas: appliances , broken , electronics , fix , repair , shops

100-year-old Religious Shop

This shop, founded in 1867, once sold a little bit of everything, but as the business worked more closely with the religious orders and churches scattered throughout the centre of town, Sobrinos de Pérez began to care specifically for their needs, selling religious artefacts, from rosary beads to chalices and material for robes. Jesús and his son are always present in the shop, advising customers and their own staff, reminding us that, for this fifth generation nephew of the original Pérez, “small businesses have to be looked after”.
Today Sobrinos de Pérez sends its goods worldwide and a second shop some 50 metres away from the original, called El Ángel, was opened 17 years ago.

Sara In-Madrid lo descubrió en febrero de 2008

etiquetas: religious , shops

Great breakfast spot

Hidden in the tucked-away Plaza Olavide near Metro Bilbao is one of the best brunch spots in the city. On a nice weekend morning, the tranquil plaza is packed with madrileños in the know, because here is where you can find some of the best pan con tomate and tortilla in Madrid. La Oliva is reasonably priced, doesn't charge an exhorbant fee for sitting on their wonderful terraza, and makes great breakfasts. Try their tortilla de calabacin for €3.75, which is a huge slab of a fluffy tortilla layered with zucchini. Another winner are the patatas cabrales, a nice plate of potatoes covered in a gooey goat cheese sauce. Mmm. Just get there early on a Saturday to stake out your table, or you might be waiting a bit!

Sara In-Madrid lo descubrió en febrero de 2008

etiquetas: breakfast , brunch , olavide , plaza , restaurant , terraza

Organic Food

It’s tough to find tasty organic food stores in Madrid (this is the land of jámon, not California, after all), but if you’re in dire need of some tasty and environmental-friendly fare, head over to Chueca and check out The Organic Shop. It’s a small place, but it’s bursting with goodies from fresh veggies to organic milk. Our favourite part is the take-away service, which includes meals such as macaroni with broccoli, pisto with rice and spaghetti Bolognese. They also do home delivery.

etiquetas: chueca , health , natural , organic , shops

The Best Mexican in Madrid

Now, I don’t want to brag, but I do know good Mexican food – I’m a Texan, after all. And El Alebrije is good Mexican food. You know the sensation (rarely found in Spanish cuisine) where your tongue and lips are numb and on fire at the same time? Well, El Alebrije delivers awesome dishes with as much spice as you can handle, plus mariachis on weekends. Stick with a margarita, because the 64-drink cocktail menu might induce decision-making panic. (Especially with names such as Perro Salteado and Vaca Voleando).

etiquetas: food , malasaña , margaritas , mexican , nightlife , restaurants

Babú, drinks and more

Here’s a novel idea: a bartender who serves you drinks based on your mood. Well, that’s the basic plan, anyway. And if that fails, there’s a cocktail list of more than 35 different drinks. Plus, with all those ingredients on hand, they can create a special drink just for you. Babú just opened its doors last month, and with all the cool details in the décor – a brilliant red bar, blue accents, black-and-white photographs and groovy lamps designed by Phillipe Starck – it’s the perfect place to impress a date. Plus, it won’t hurt your pocket; copas are just €5 and cocktails are €7.

etiquetas: clubs , copas , drinks , nightlife