Restaurant recommendation: Pizzería Cervantes

We went to a great cosy Italian restaurant the other day. It's called Pizzería Cervantes and it's in the Huertas neighbourhood at Calle Leon 8 (metro Antón Martín L1). The pizzas and pastas on offer were excellent in both quality and value and the service was very good. Even though it's situated in quite a touristic area, the restaurant was filled with mostly locals- although they do have English menus. Pizzas are around 9€ or 10€ and pasta dishes around 8€. For dessert, they have plenty of delcious ice creams, crêpes and cakes on the menu, all reasonably priced. We'll definately be going back next time we fancy some Italian food!

Fried pigs ear and sheep intestines....dishes you have to try in Madrid!

Spain is a gastronomic paradise, and whilst many people think of tapas when Spanish cuisine is mentioned, each region of the country has its traditional dishes and specialities. Here are some dishes typical to the Madrid region which you might like to try during your visit.

Cocido madrileño (Madrid style stew). This is a very wholesome stew made from chickpeas, vegetables, potatoes and meat (usually pork and beef), traditionally cooked during the winter months. This dish is believe to date from the Middle Ages; quite possibly from the Jews who inhabited Spain during the period. Over the years the dish has changed, but it's still very popular in restaurants today and many have their special way of preparing it. Tradition dictates that all the ingredients are served serparately.

Callos a la madrileña (Madrid style tripe). Maybe not everyone could stomach this! This is another dish dating back centuries and it's believed to have orginally come from the Asturias region on the northern coast of the country. The dish consists of tripe, chorizo, blood sausage, the hoof and snout of a cow and paprika. You'll find this dish prepared in any traditional madrileño restaurant.

Bocadillo de calamares (friend calamari sandwich). Although Madrid is as far away from the sea as you can possibly get in Spain, the madrileños love their bocadillos de calamares. You'll find most bars and cafés have them on the menu, however El Brillante (Glorieta del Emperador Carlos V 8, near Atocha Station and the Reina Sofia) is well known by locals for having the best ones in Madrid.

Orejas a la plancha (pig's ear). Another one perhaps not to everyone's liking! This dish consists of fried pigs ears, which turn crispy, served with garlic or a spicy sauce. 

Gallinejas. Not so commonly found these days, but once a widely eaten dish. Gallinejas are the fried insides of a sheep.

Churros con chocolate. These are long friend doughnuts served with a cup of very thick hot chocolate and are very popular with everyone! The idea is to dunk the churros into chocolate for a very fatty breakfast or snack. Many cafés in the city have these, in fact some of the most popular ones in the centre open all night at weekends so revellers can get their fix on their way home. Madrid's best loved churro places (although more expensive, we must add) include Chocolatería San Ginés (Pasadizo de San Ginés, nr Sol) and Café Valor (Postigo de San Martin 7, nr Callao). Elsewhere you should be able to find them for around 2,50€.

Rosquillas tontas y listas. Very similar to small doughnuts, finished off with sugar glaze, almonds or dried meringue. They are typically eaten during the month of May when the city celebrates the San Isidro festival.

A Taste of Asia

What better way to start the Chinese year of the rabbit than going for some exsquisite Asian food. Roger Chen of The Asia Gallery Restaurant at the Hotel Westin Palace is offering Sabrorea Asia (Taste Asia), an exclusive and exciting menu of Asian and fusion cuisine for 28,50€ at lunchtime. Dishes include tempura, Chinese rolls stuffed with lobster, seafood noodles and chicken in plum sauce. All three courses are incluced in the price, as well as bread and a drink. The menu is available from 1.30pm-4.30pm on weekdays.

The elegant Asia Gallery Restaurant of the Hotel Westin Palace

Address: The Asia Gallery Restaurant, Hotel Westin Palace, Plaza de las Cortes (Metro Sevilla or Banco de España L2)

Jazz and chocolate

One of Madrid's most exlcusive hotels, The Westin Palace is offering a Chocolate Passion dinner for lovers of chocolate, with all food items on the menu containing cocoa. Delights include cocoa raviloli with prawns and creme de curry and loin of venison served with different chocolates from around the world. Of course for dessert there are plenty of tempting chocolate puddings, tartlettes and panacottas on offer.  The setting for these dinners could not be more elegant- you dine in the hotel's famous cuppola and there's a jazz band playing live. The menu costs 55€ and is available Thursday to Saturday between 10pm and 1am.

Chocolate Passion webpage