http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32425 The starters are brilliant and very large. The portion of mussels was huge and very good. The desserts are mouth watering.
The main weakness of this place is that some of the meat based mains are not as good as the rest of the menu. The fish based mains are good.
Staff are businesslike rather than friendly - food comes quickly but having said that there is no push to get you out if you are nursing your drinks.
One other note - bread is not free!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32425 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30398 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30398 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23291 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23291 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22854
We don't normally go to the same restaurant twice when we are on holiday, but we came here three times when we were here in Madrid in summer 08.
There were queues into the place on some evenings.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22854 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22120 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22120 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21294 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21294 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21291 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21291 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21031 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21031 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20137
The Meson de la Tortilla only has four things on the menu (tortilla, garlic mushrooms, cheese and ham) - order one of each and enjoy, occasionally with live music.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20137 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19691 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19691 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19690 After, go to the café/restaurant for some great food and of course a bottle of wine from the Ribera Del Duero region, superb.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19690 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19689 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19689 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18783 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18783 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18175 (Basque) region of northern Spain.

Brilliant food, and that's why I am taken here by my hosts in Madrid who seek a change from the usual.
The most popular delicacies are patatas con bacalao, cocochas de merluza y centollo, zortziko de almejas, solomillo dantxari -al vapor, bacalao al pil-pil, con aceite de oliva virgen y pimiento, and tarta fina de manzana.

You could avoid these and try the more innovative dishes. I appreciated the excellent use of seasonal products and dishes such as 'pil pil' and their cod croquetas.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18175 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18112 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18112 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17855 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17855 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16807 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16807 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12271
Wash them down with glasses of house wine if you can get to the bar. A Madrid institution.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12271 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12119
A local neighbourhood restaurant, sandwiched between the traditional madrileno working class district of Lavapies and Plaza Santa Ana.

Don't be put off by the long menu translated into English and German as I initially was. If you arrive on a Monday or Thursday lunchtime the queues of Madrilenos, business men in suits to builders in boilersuits, waiting for their cocido and paella specials will convince you it's not a tourist trap.

The service is at times brusque. I ate here at least once a week for a year and only during my last week in Madrid did the waiters show me any familiarity - and I lived next door.

The food is simple but good. There are a selection of menus at various prices to suit any budget.

The atmosphere is pure Madrid. TV blaring in the corner, twice as many tables crammed in as should really fit and shouted conversations echoing off the tiled walls and wooden floor. You do not come here for a relaxing lunch. But all the same don't come here if you are pushed for time. You can be out the door in 40mins having eaten a 3 course meal or waiting for your dessert 2 hours later.

Try the pollo al ajillo. Or the grilled asparagus. or the fried aubergines. or just about anything!

Enjoy.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12119 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11806
Also a great place for vast filled 'bocadillos' (baguette sandwiches), and various other tasty 'raciones'. Just watch out for complimentary paella - myself and others have been laid low by food poisoning for some time after a visit. The fact that I'm still recommending the place tells you just how good it is.

One final thing - get there early if you have any kind of designs on a table.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11806