Hey everybody,

I like having a few choice restaurants around the big cities to go to when I'm showing visiting friends around. The problem is in Madrid we always seem to end up at VIPS. This is ok sometimes, but it's hardly showing them a good variety. I hate wandering around blindly looking at all those menus not knowing if I'll get my moneys worth.

So does anyone know 3 good restaurants either close to all the typical central attractions (Sol, Gran Via, The art galleries, palace, etc) or a quick Metro ride away?

My needs: Cozy, with good atmosphere where you can comfortably sit. It goes without saying that good food and not crazily expensive is important too.

A good example of the type I’m looking for would be "Las Ninfas" in Granada.

Any type of food is welcome.

Thanks,

Spanadian.

Ps: is anyone else looking forward to the day that Spanish restaurants are smoke-free? I’d say we are 5 or 6 years away by the looks of things.

the link below has a bunch of suggestions for both good food and reasonable prices. You will have to scroll thrugh 5 pages - the first has some restaurants in Madrid - posisbly thruout - the 2nd has some inSegovia, etc .... just keep hunting

http://www.madridman.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=5&t=000007&p=

Hi
Try the link below:
Timeout Guide
Personally I would recommend La Finca De Susana.
Robbieroy

[originally posted by member Spanadian on 10-30-2004 05:06 AM]

I was in a bit of a rush and didn't have time to search the archives, thanks for you both for taking the time to reply.

BTW La Finka was great, thanks Robbieroy

[Follow-up posting by member robbieroy ]

Hi Spanadian - glad that you enjoyed La Finca de Susana. Did you think that it was good value? I did. Between two of us, we had:
one main couse of pork in a pepper sauce with rice
one main course of entrecote steak with salad
one sweet of ice cream in a raspberry sauce with biscuits
one sweet of creamed rice
This was washed down with a bottle of Barbadillo white wine and 3 bottles of water.
The total bill was only 36 Euros.
Being a Scotsman [Eek!] , I thought that this was good value.
Saludos
Robbieroy

Glad you liked it, Spanadian!

Long-lost-member Antonio introduced me to La Finca de Susana a few years ago and it was quite a nice place, good food, and at fair prices. I too would recommend it.

Saludos, MadridMan

Hey Madridman.. depends on what sort of food you want to eat. I always think a great place to go is El Buey.. great steak in there.. Not the cheapest but nice!

There are also loads of good Seafood places (which i prefer). If you need to know where the best one is.. let us know.

Sim

"I like having a few choice restaurants around the big cities to go to when I'm showing visiting friends around. The problem is in Madrid we always seem to end up at VIPS"

WHAT?!!, WHY?!!

OK, I don't have much time now, just wanted to post that La Gloria de Montera on cl Caballero de Gracia, 10; and Bazaar on cl Libertad, 21, are sister restaurants to La Finca de Susana, and the three of them offer good value for money indeed, the only "catch" is that they don't take bookings, therefore, expect big queues at the door already at 20:30hrs. or 21:00hrs. (in "poshier" Bazaar's case)....so there you have it!, now you have 3 choices, enjoy!

I've been a member for a long time, but haven't had a chance to post. But as far as restaurants, there are a couple of really good ones on Calle Ventura de La Vega, which is off Carrera San Jeronimo from Sol and Calle Del Prado from Plaza Santa Ana. One is an excellent Peruvian restaurant and right next to it is an awesome Argentinian Restaurant. I don't remember the names but it's a short street and the restaurants are easy to locate.

I was at El Buey in April for my birthday. Great steak and I loved the giant wheel of cheese in the bar. They carve off pieces and give them to you while you wait for your table.

Mongo.. did you try the Onion soup there?? it truely is the best around!!