Madrid Restaurant Recs, Please...

[dbailey]

Casa Julian D Tolosa. Address:
C/ Cava Baja, 18
28005 Madrid
Tel: 91 365 82 10

The most incredible steak in the world. Absolute must for any carnivores in Madrid. Decent (entirely spanish) winelist too.

[Andrew_Gelb]

Christian, if you get to Segovia, here is what we experienced:

Segovia- Lunch at Jose Maria on Cronista Lecea - Our travelling companions and Spain guides Anders and Maria talked this place up big time, really increasing our expectations of what Anders promised would be the best dish of pork we ever tasted. All I can say is, verdad! We knew we were in good hands when our starter dishes arrived: great morcilla; my new favorite legumes – “judiones” (gargantuan white beans, perfectly cooked and served in a fantastic sauce loaded with pork bits); and a mixed jamon platter including some of the best chorizo any of us have ever enjoyed. Then, the main attraction arrived, an entire roast piglet, which they do not slice, mind you; rather, they cut it, somewhat jarringly, with the side of a heavy plate. This is “cochinillo asado” (roast suckling pig) country, and Jose Maria is justly famed for its truly amazing rendition, with perfectly crackling, crispy skin; a thin layer of milky fat; and succulent, moist, tender, white meat. It really was an amazing dish. If we return to Segovia, which is likely because it is a really cool town, we will return to Jose Maria.

Cheers
Andrew

[Nola_Palomar]

@Andrew Gelb

Christian, if you get to Segovia, here is what we experienced:

Segovia- Lunch at Jose Maria on Cronista Lecea - Our travelling companions and Spain guides Anders and Maria talked this place up big time, really increasing our expectations of what Anders promised would be the best dish of pork we ever tasted. All I can say is, verdad! We knew we were in good hands when our starter dishes arrived: great morcilla; my new favorite legumes – “judiones” (gargantuan white beans, perfectly cooked and served in a fantastic sauce loaded with pork bits); and a mixed jamon platter including some of the best chorizo any of us have ever enjoyed. Then, the main attraction arrived, an entire roast piglet, which they do not slice, mind you; rather, they cut it, somewhat jarringly, with the side of a heavy plate. This is “cochinillo asado” (roast suckling pig) country, and Jose Maria is justly famed for its truly amazing rendition, with perfectly crackling, crispy skin; a thin layer of milky fat; and succulent, moist, tender, white meat. It really was an amazing dish. If we return to Segovia, which is likely because it is a really cool town, we will return to Jose Maria.

Cheers
Andrew

The Segovia area is especially known for their embutidos (sausages) and cochinillo. Chorizo, Morcilla, Butifarra (blanco & negro) Salchichon, salchichas, & etc. But make sure someone orders Cabrito (baby goat), and Cordero Lechal (suckling lamb).

[David_K_o_l_i_n]

@Andrew Gelb

Then, the main attraction arrived, an entire roast piglet, which they do not slice, mind you; rather, they cut it, somewhat jarringly, with the side of a heavy plate. This is “cochinillo asado” (roast suckling pig) country, and Jose Maria is justly famed for its truly amazing rendition, with perfectly crackling, crispy skin; a thin layer of milky fat; and succulent, moist, tender, white meat. It really was an amazing dish. If we return to Segovia, which is likely because it is a really cool town, we will return to Jose Maria.

In Madrid, you can get a pretty nice version of the cochinillo asado at Botin, which is almost 300 years old. Not the most cutting edge of places with a short and simple menu, but some really well done traditional food

http://www.botin.es/?q=en

[C_Zeitler]

Nola, Andrew, Dan, David,

Thanks so much, that sounds like culinary heaven!!! We are there 3 days for work, plus maybe the weekend before, so enough time to test a few recommendations.

Thanks again and all the best
Christian
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