Barcelona, Majorca and Madrid

[KVF]

We are traveling to Barcelona (Saturday at noon/Sunday/Monday am), Majorca (Monday at noon through Friday am) and then to Madrid (Friday at noon /Saturday/Sunday am) in late July. In Barcelona we are staying in the Eixample neighborhood, a few blocks away from Passeig de Gràcia, in Majorca we are staying in Deia and in Madrid we are staying in the museum triangle.

We have never been to Spain before and are VERY excited to go. I am hoping to obtain restaurant and maybe itinerary suggestions in order to maximize our time in each place. I would love to go to an excellent "splurgy" sit down dinner in each place and on the other nights and eat tapas/pixtos or other delicious sitdown spots.

Please let me know if anymore information would be helpful in order to write back. Thank you in advance!

[Harters]

The area around Deia is the nicest part of Mallorca and the village itself has a couple of very good restaurants that might do for your splurge.

The Residencia is the posh hotel and has a first class restaurant in a lovely location. You might also want to think about Es Raco d'es Teix, which is Michelin starred. For more casual nights, and assuming you have a car, you might want to drive to nearby Soller for some local dishes - the town is a better bet than the coastal Port de Soller (bear in mind that the island is not tapas country and the offerings are usually shite). IMO, there is a "reasonable splurge" at S'Atic in the Port - recommend the tasting menu if it is still on offer.

[KVF]

Thank you! Staying at La Residencia, very excited. I appreciate your input!

[Harters]

Brother in law comes from Soller - we know the area well (although tend to stay on the north coast around Pollensa, now the family are no longer living on the island).

[KVF]

Thank you everyone for your replies. I have read the previous posts on this board and am wondering what everyone would recommend as the best sitdown dinner available Sunday night in Barcelona. We are going to Comerc 24 on Saturday night per the recommendations on this Board.

[rrems]

There is already a tremendous amount of information in earlier posts on this board. Use the "search this board" feature for each city and you will find much useful advice. Then come back with specific questions about places that interest you.

[JuanDoe]

My recs for Madrid are:
Restaurante La Terraza del Casino (Michelin, one star)
http://www.casinodemadrid.es/en/gastronomia/index.htm

Here's a list of assorted tapas bars in Madrid.
Area Plaza Mayor/La Latina:
* To have some tapas in the Mercado de San Miguel (close to Plaza Mayor) is a must.
* Bodegas Ricla, an old tiny tavern with atmosphere. Have a vermut de grifo (vermouth on tap) and canapé de bacalao (smoked codfish canapé for 2 people sharing).
http://www.fbphoto.net/Tabernas/Bodegas%20Ricla.jpg
* Taberna de Conspiradores on Calle Cava Baja 7. Cold meats (1/2 ración of Morcón is recommended) and cheese (don't miss the Torta del Casar!
)* Casa Lucas on Calle Cava Baja 30. Good wines by the glass and trendy tapas.
* Matritum on Calle Cava Alta 17. Great wine bar and sit-down tapas.
http://www.matritum.es/
* Basque style tapas in Txirimiri (Calle Humilladero 6) or Juanalaloca (Plaza Puerta de Moros 4, don't miss the pincho de tortilla).
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QkGVzRZNzwg/S0FaF1EGAKI/AAAAAAAAA80/vGwZamEbmfs/s400/Pintxos.jpg

Area Puerta del Sol/Plaza de Santa Ana:
* La Casa del Abuelo on Calle Victoria 12. Gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp).
http://www.lacasadelabuelo.es/
* Casa Alberto on Calle Huertas 18. Founded in 1827. Traditional cuisine of Madrid: Callos (tripe), manitas de cordero (lamb trotters stew), albóndigas (meatballs).
http://guias-viajar.com/madrid/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/fotos-madrid-tapas-casa-alberto-001.JPG
* La Venencia on Calle Echegaray 7. Atmospheric Sherry tavern. Order "manzanilla" sherry.
http://rebeccachapa.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/img_5975.jpg
* Casa González. Deli on Calle León 12. Wine by the glass, ham and cheeses.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/greta_y_...

[KVF]

Thank you so much!

[kathryn]

Heartily seconding of Txirimiri!