We were sent (by a guy we met in a gallery elsewhere in Chueca) to "Gastrotec" right on Plaza de Chueca. Even though we arrived at nine (a reasonable hour at which to dine in Madrid, I thought), the place was deserted, and we had to ring the bell to gain entry. A little awkward...

Once inside though, we had an "intersting" meal. Stepane and Arturo (proprietors of Gastrotec) specialize in skate/ray (think stingray) and Stephane even brought out an little plastic ray to clarify what the menu meant. Richard orderd the ray, "Gallego style," I think). I ordered the (beef) entrecote.

Stephane has a note on the menu cautioning diners that she doesn't cook meet much beyond the "very rare" stage. Normally that's OK with me, but this one was almost mooing. Not that I didn't eat everything on my plate....

Richard has said he'll probably not order skate again (if we ever saw it on a menu again). Not terrible, just an acquired taste probably too informed by images of stealth bombers gliding soundlessly though the sea....

All in all, as I said, an "interesting" evening.

Hugh, the place sounds cool. But I'll probably have to "skate" by it. I'm fairly unadventurous in the food department.