Between Madrid and Granada: need food recommendations

[amasciol]

Hello Hounds,

We will be in Madrid for 10 days in May and will take a side trip to Granada for a weekend. We'll rent a car and would like to make a stop on the way south for lunch on Friday and on the way back on Sunday. We're looking for good food at casas rurales. Any suggestions? Is anyone familiar with El Corregidor in Almagro?

We would like to stop someplace near Jaen to tour an olive farm where we can taste and buy some local oil. Also, perhaps a stop at Tembleque to visit cheesemakers Artequeso?

Please share your ideas for good restaurants on the road between Madrid and Granada, as well as any interesting food related (wine, oil, cheese, jamon) stops.

And, if it's not too much to ask, what are your favorite food stops in Granada?

Thanks so much in advance.

[kyeblue]

El Corregidor in Almagro is very nice. Very tasty regional food. good lamb chops.

[LeRique]

My wife and I really enjoyed Almagro. Sleepy little town with a great plaza mayor and a wonderful Parador. El Corregidor has wonderful ambiance,good service and is just two blocks off the main square. Open for lunch as well..

[butterfly]

If you like fried seafood, Los Diamantes or Los Diamantes II are good spots (albeit with quirky hours).

[anonymoose]

In Granada, El Piano is a deli that serves vegan, gluten-free, nut-free food. They have a good bargain for take out and you can also eat in (bar style standing room only). The food was decent and was a nice alternative.

El Piano
c/Gran Capitán, 7 bajo; 18002 GRANADA
http://www.el-piano.com/

I would love to recommend other places but unfortunately I did not eat much in Granada. There were quite a few busy tapas bars.

[JuanDoe]

Next to a petrol station and opposite Baeza's football ground, this is hardly an optimum location. However, Juanito specializes in memorable dishes using local produce (especially olive oil and game) and also offers a wide array of wines. Its own virgin olive oil brand is called OLEO VIANA. Virgin means the oil was produced by the use of physical means and no chemical treatment.
Restaurante Juanito. Avenida Alcalde Puché Pardo 43. Baeza (Province of Jaén).
http://www.juanitobaeza.com/251/?page...

[Theresa]

I'm afraid I don't know of any restaurants or casas rurales in that area, but you will be driving through great tapas territory - La Mancha and Jaen are good for free and more interesting tapas than you get elsewhere - and different ones with each drink. I'd be tempted to stop off somewhere in a small town or village (I don't know if you've already been there, but Almagro is lovely) and graze my way through a few tapas.

By the way, I'm not sure that casas rurales do lunches ...I thought they were just B&Bs, sometimes with lunch or evening meals for guests ...?