660995 Tue Oct 20 13:17:09 -0700 2009 7 50 Spain/Portugal 0 5117897 My wife and I are visiting Madrid for the first time in early November...Any restaurant recommendations? Or places to go out at night? Thanks in advance! Tue Oct 20 13:17:09 -0700 2009 209192 stever70 1 5118201 There are many earlier posts on eating in Madrid. If you can be more specific on what you are looking for in restaurants, ie. type of food, ambience, budget, sometimes day of the week is important, you'll get some good recommendations. For drinking, unless it is late late night partying, the most popular places are tapas bars which every neighborhood has a few. In the center of the city, try the places in Latina, Huertas, Chueca, Santa Ana. Tue Oct 20 15:04:10 -0700 2009 5117897 10756 PBSF 2 5129224 Thanks for the posts so far. To answer your question, PBSF, we're looking for non-touristy places that won't break the bank -- e.g., great, unique tapas bars, both innovative and old world restaurants, fun places (not too young and hip) to fritter the night away (we're both in our late 30s) in all three cities. Thanks again to everyone for the help so far and still to come! Sun Oct 25 08:30:31 -0700 2009 5118201 209192 stever70 1 5125885 I am sitting in a hotel near Plaza Mayor and this is the second day we've been in Madrid. Did go to Giangrossi (ice cream) and that was memorable, in a good way. Tried the dulce de leche ice cream, melon sorbet, and yogurt and cassis ice cream and liked the last one the most. Very similar to gelato in intensity of flavors. Wanted to try the carrot and tangerine sorbet but will have to catch that the next time. Also had some kind of pastry (empanadilla?) filled with tuna, which was very tasty, which was ordered from Mallorquina. I CANNOT recommend La Finca de La Susanna, as many have on this board. True to what others have said, a line forms before 8:30 that extends down the block. Lots of Spanish-speakers in line so we were pretty excited. HOWEVER -- Before continuing on that line, I would describe the retaurant decor as modern-elegant, full table linens. Menus come in English if they determine you are an English speaker. Crusty bread was brought to the table. Menu stated we would be charged 1 euro per person for bread. Served warm and was adequate, although no olive oil or butter was provided. We both ordered the fish soup to start. Extremely salty. Husband did not eat about half of his (UNUSUAL) and I left about 3/4s. Wait staff did not check to see if "everything was okay", ever, BTW. Though we left most of our food, no one asked about our satisfaction. Other starter was chicken croquettes, which came with a green salad that appeared to be dressed only with a little olive oil, and some toasts covered with I believe some kind of tomato jam. Wasn't finished. Just average. Wait staff - I would not consider ours to be trained by the restaurant as professional wait staff. Husband ordered duck with mustard sauce for entree, which came with fried potato sticks. I ordered some kind of duck confit, which was served with couscous. His wasn't bad, mine was undercooked. We ordered a 1/2 liter of the house wine. Both of us were underwhelmed. Other entree ordered was the abondigas (meatballs). Was not finished. My only conclusion is what my friends in the restaurant business said about restaurants. They can start out great, but the owners realize at some point that they are not making "enough" money, and they either have to raise prices or lower food quality. I believe, based on all the great comments, that Finca has done the latter. I would choose Pans & Co. (Spain's "Panera Bread") over another meal at Finca. Will add more to your query if we encounter anything else notable - good or bad. Fri Oct 23 12:57:36 -0700 2009 5117897 1098320 maryjanerrific 2 5127445 Just went to Mercado San Miguel, which is steps from the Plaza Mayor, which is in a beautiful building that was recently restored this year. Worth a trip! The market contains what you would expect in terms of fresh produce and fish, but it also has a cerveceria, a place to buy gelato, a juice bar, and several places where you can buy tapas or bocadillos. If I read the sign correctly, the building is open every day until at least midnight, but each vendor inside decides on its own hours. Sat Oct 24 09:19:07 -0700 2009 5125885 1098320 maryjanerrific 3 5129569 Good to read your reports. Thanks. I'm also looking out for foodie places to go to during a 5-day stay near the end of November. Sun Oct 25 12:14:23 -0700 2009 5127445 10578 RCC 3 5132661 Went to Botin for dinner. Would not consider it exactly "foodie" fare but would say it was old world, traditional fare done well. Dinner for 2 "con vino e postres" was under 100 Euros. Order just one vegetable off the a la carte menu for 2 or more people because it meant for more than one person -- more suitable for 4 people as a side. Wait staff was gracious. Check out the miniatures found in the window and front room. They are EXACT replicas of the restaurant and the restaurant's kitchen (as far as I could peer into the kitchen). Do not bother looking for Bajocero (Quevado metro station) or Gelati e Frullati (Goya metro station), as they are both closed. Would consider Casa Maria on Plaza Mayor -- got a write-up in the NY Times a few months ago and looks promising. Mon Oct 26 14:51:40 -0700 2009 5127445 1098320 maryjanerrific 4 5134363 Had a really great menu del dia at Museo Thyssen. 14.90 Euros. Recommended - nice atmosphere, huge portions, and well-prepared food. Tue Oct 27 08:52:37 -0700 2009 5132661 1098320 maryjanerrific