Sara In-Madrid

Mexican Food

First of all, this is the first Mexican place I’ve been to that gives you free chips and salsa right off the bat. (There might be more, but I haven’t found them.) Points in my book right away. La Taqueriá de Birrä has two locations; we went to the one in the secluded Plaza de la Comendadoras. It’s got a great terrace, lots of space and not too much noise.
The menu is huge; for starters there are four kinds of quesadillas and quesos alone. We’re not complaining, though. It’s nice to have a big selection.
We had a margarita to start, which was hand-shaken at our table (My friend is an ex-bartender, she assures me it was properly done.) It was really strong but had a smooth, sharp taste. There are also six different Mexican beers on the menu, if tequila isn’t your thing.
To start, we chose the quesadillas with flor de calabaza; I couldn’t actually taste the flor de calabaza because of all the melted cheese that oozed out. (Again, not complaining. I love cheese.)
We picked the tamales with pico de gallo and the enchiladas Rancheras with mole. (Entreés between €8-10). The tamales were perfect, and the presentation is cool; there are four, and each have a different little sauce on them which is then smothered by amazing pico de gallo. The chicken enchiladas with mole sauce were also really good – the mole was sweet but not spicy – but were covered in cheese, which even for me was a bit overwhelming.
For dessert, we wanted the fried platanos, but they were out. Good thing, though, because we might not have gotten to try the Georgina cake, the house specialty. It was amazing; a homemade light, fluffy cake layered with creamy lemon and drizzled with raspberry sauce. Amazing. We also had the crepes de cajeta, which were swimming in dulce de leche and very rich.
The portion sizes were perfect, and the place is lively and fun. It would be a great place to have a birthday or get-together (just not with all your Spanish friends if you don’t want to shell out for everyone’s dinner!)

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

La Catrina is a jumpin’ little joint in Malasaña, which is intimate and crowded, like any good restaurant should be. It’s been around for seven years, and is a favourite among the locals to stop in for a drink. This is the place to go for a few snacks and delightful cocktails — there are as many drinks as food items and five types of tequila alone — so it might be best to stick with appetisers and cocktails (€3-6). The margaritas are delicious: super foamy, but not frozen, with a kick at the end and just the right amount of salt. All the menu items are €7, not the cheapest meal, but at least there’s no hidden extras. Besides, it’s a really fun place; there are tons of cool dolls and masks to look at, and there’s good music and pretty people. So if you stick to the drinks and a few small plates, you won’t be disappointed.

etiquetas: food , malasaña , mexican , restaurants

Burger bars don’t necessarily mean junk food -- something that’s abundantly clear at Home. The wood-panelled diner boasts booths, little frilly lamps at each table, authentic chunky cutlery, and menus printed on brown-paper grocery bags, like the ones you see in American movies -- all that’s missing are waitresses in gingham aprons. Try La Clásica, a burger served with lettuce, tomato, pickles, bacon and cheese. The 100 percent organic meat is fantastic, and is perfectly accompanied by the extras.

etiquetas: american , burgers , food , malasaña , restaurants

DVD Rentals

The reigning maestro of all budding art-house DVD clubs. Its founding store on calle Hortaleza has only been going for three years, but it was the first of its kind and has set the standard in the city. The Malasaña mainstay and its sister store in Ópera serve as off-campus libraries for all Madrid’s film students. Sections are not labelled, but placed below film stills that denote their category. New releases are scattered among the classics and more obscure titles. To join, you must buy a 10-, 25- or 50-film voucher, which you can make go further if you take advantage of their two-for-one offer on selected titles available on Mondays and Tuesdays.

etiquetas: chueca , dvds , films , malasaña , movies

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

A fun copas bar in Malasaña complete with pool tables (normally used for sitting rather than playing when it gets crowded). Right off Plaza 2 de Mayo, La Vía Lactea has groovy décor and a very hip clientele. The best part is the music, which is a bit throwback and always makes you stop and say "Man, I forgot how much I love this song!"

etiquetas: bar , copas , malasaña , nightlife

Live Music

If you love live music, head over towards Malasaña. Out of the centre, but one of the most original spaces in Madrid thanks to its balconies, pink neon and no-smoking policy. Jazz during the week, but weekends see the Neu! Club invite international djs and bands for a mix of lo-fi, electronic squelches and creative rock’n’roll.

etiquetas: copas , live , malasaña , music , nightlife

A Bit of Everything...

When Malasaña gets too much at the weekends, cross Noviciado to find this gem of a venue, split between a cosy bar and an even cosier live space hosting lo-fi international groups and the best of the local underground.

etiquetas: copas , malasaña , music , nightlife

For some funky Spanish cuisine with a twist, give Ojalá a whirl. You can enjoy a meat selection that is served dangling on a kebab skewer, a selection of tapas and some great salads too. Best to head downstairs to the sandpit-style basement, where you lounge on cushions and enjoy dinner on low tables.

etiquetas: food , malasaña , nightlife , tapas

Curiously named after those nodding dogs you find in the back windows of cars, this bar has a loyal following who pack out the dance floor, while owner-cum-dj bangs out a mix of rock, soul, dub, funk and hip hop.

etiquetas: clubs , copas , malasaña , nightlife