Madrid, kitchen side

July 11 2013

by Laurence Ogiela / TÊTU

If Barcelona and its great Catalan chefs are the focus of food critics around the world, Madrid is not just about the endless patatas bravas and the classic tortilla. In recent years, the Spanish capital has also become home to many trendy restaurants and avant-garde tapas bars.

Ironically, many of them are owned by Catalans, such as the popular Bar Tómate, in the Chamberí neighborhood, and Luzi Bombón, in the Castellana, owned by the Tragaluz restaurant group. And the starred chefs in Madrid are in fact often from Catalonia, such as Ramon Freixa, the late Santi Santamaria, and Sergi Arola, whose latest concept, Vi Cool, is always busy.

On the Madrid side, Paco Roncero, head of Terraza del Casino and the Estado Puro gastrobar, challenges the Catalans with his molecular tapas, such as this egg and potato mousse tortilla. Another Madrid native and king of fusion cuisine, David Muñoz, has just earned his second star for his restaurant DiverXo. He serves dishes that mix Spanish and Asian flavors, such as his Chinese dim sum stuffed with squid in ink. Gourmets flock there and the waiting list is at least a month long.

Also trendy, but more accessible, is the San Antón market, in the heart of the gay district of Chueca, which has become a designer gastronomic center where you can try all kinds of traditional and revisited tapas. On the third floor of the market, the restaurant La Cocina de San Antón even offers to cook your daily groceries, meat or fish, according to your taste. An original concept that attracts bobos and hipsters in this old market hall completely revamped.

(Main photo: San Antón market, in the heart of the gay district of Chueca © Laurence Ogiela)

Las Salesas: Madrid's Soho

Between the gay district of Chueca and the chic neighborhood of Salamanca, a quadrilateral of streets called Las Salesas has become the coolest area of Madrid. Hipsters frequent the hippest fashion boutiques, such as those of the Dutch brand Scotch & Soda, the Belgian Bellerose, or Mott, which distributes the Brazilian collection Osklen. Madrid's Soho is also home to art galleries, bars and restaurants to see and be seen, such as the cocktail bar Le Cabrera or the grocery store Mallorca Market.

Las Salesas: Barquillo, Almirante, Piamonte, Fernando VI and Bárbara de Braganza streets.

Where to go out?

LL Showbar
A historic bar in the gay district with a drag show at 2am.
Pelayo 11, Chueca. www.interocio.es/ll

Liquid bar
The video screens always attract hot guys and tourists, and the bartenders are very sexy.
Barbieri 7, Chueca. www.liquid.es

PK2 SeXion@Wind
One of the most popular gay parties on Saturday night. Mixed audience, muscular go-gos and darkroom.
Sala Wind, Plaza del Carmen, Gran Vía. www.facebook.com/Pk2SeXion

Kluster@Changó Club
Bare-chested bombshells, sweaty muscles and electrifying techno for a very "macho, macho men" night.
Covarrubias 42, Chamberí. www.facebook.com/klustermadrid

Club Kaiser
Muscles, bears and guys in leather for this hot Friday night party.
Pelayo 82, Chueca. www.facebook.com/clubkaisermen

Demodé
In a former brothel, a party that attracts a trendy and sexy public.
Ballesta 7, Malasaña. www.myspace.com/clubdemode