Wednesday 29 May 2013

Best lifestyle places Madrid: Restaurants I Tapas bars I Shops I Hip & trendy I Places in Malasaña: La Muca I Naif I Maricastaña I La Bicicleta I Circo

Dear readers,

Its time for a new post about a other neighborhood in Madrid. Today I am going to tell you about the best places in the area of Malasaña. This neighborhood is becoming famous for its alternative, hip, creative, upcoming young-enterpreneurial atmosphere.

General
Malasaña is a vibrant neighborhood full of lively bars and clubs overflowing with young people. Its streets are currently being renovated, making it a much more attractive quarter. It's one of the classic areas for partying the night away. Malasaña is to the west of Chueca and to the east of Arguelles. It is surrounded by several metro stations and is a central neighbourhood of Madrid. Malasaña has many fashion boutiques as well as shops for design and niche market products. They are often cutting-edge shops or feature progressive designers and products. They are often economical and rarely mainstream. There are many second-hand vintage shops, used book stores and unique gift shops.

So Casper this all sounds nice, but how about your favorite places in this area??

Well let me tell you this: I visit Malasaña quite often for a drink or a bite because in this area prices are relatively low and the atmosphere here is ''different'' and more ''undiscovered''. If you want to see a real upcoming neighborhood you definitely should take a walk here.

La Muca is a trendy restaurant established in Calle del Pez, one of my favorite streets in Malasaña. This street provides you tons of small restaurants, bars and shops where you can hang-out and see creative and arty interiors. When you ''hang out'' in Malasaña, you directly see that people a dressed and behave more alternative. People who visit this street often wear piercings, have tattoos and wear 'different' clothes with different hair-cuts. Nevertheless, the atmosphere here is very open and comfortable. People respect you no matter how you dress or look like. 

Back to La Muca. La Muca is a trendy and stylish, modern furnished restaurant which also perfectly suits for having a first drink with your date. Where most places are relatively cheap, La Muca is in comparison to the other places relatively expensive. The menu is wide and they offer, lots of different dishes. You pay around 17€ for a meal, exceptions there in the form of burgers and pizza's.  La Muca is a good place to share (tapas para picar) food but also to order a complete one person meal. The quality of the food is good and its quite often crowded in this restaurant. Therefor it is recommended to make a reservation in advance.

La Muca interior
La Muca interior
La Muca plate
La Muca from the outside
I can say Naif is one of my favorite restaurants in Madrid. It is cheap, informal, always crowded, it has a nice inside interior and a great terrace. This place is perfect for having a meal with some friends or having a lunch. You can find this restaurant in Plaza San Ildefonso. The terrace is on a square, settled next to two other restaurants which makes this an enjoyable place to stay. Local residents often do here some shows or play local music. A meal, both the lunch as the dinner, cost around €7. Although portions aren't that big, the food is of very good quality. Naif is specialized in Mexican / American food. They offers all kinds of burgers, burritos, salads and sandwiches. What I would like to recommend you, especially when you are with 2 or more persons, are the Nachos chips. I dare to say these are the best ones you have ever tried!

Naif terrace
'Naif's Nachos' Best you have ever tried!
Naif restaurant inside
Naif entrance
Mariscastaña
Maricastana is established in Calle Corredera Baja de San Pablo. This street has also a few places which I regularly visit and Maricastana is one of them. If you would ask my girlfriend what is you favorite restaurant in Madrid she would probably say; 'Maricastana' and this is not because she likes the waiter (at least i hope). The service is not always good in here. BUT, this recently opened restaurant compensates a lot.

First of all they were being able to create an atmosphere where romance, formal, informal, intimacy, coziness and trendy are being combined. A very good restaurant to have a first or second date or to celebrate something personal. The food is relative cheap comparing to the very good quality they are delivering. In combination with the proper wines you are guaranteed of a good meal. This two floor restaurant has upstairs, where the entrance is, a more 'open-intimidate-cozy' atmosphere and below a more 'romantic' atmosphere. Dishes cost around €10 and are very good for sharing. They don't offer the usual and traditional Spanish plates. Here they offer the more modern plates, which they have given an own 'twist'. Difficult to explain but definitely worth trying!

If you go, I would like to recommend you to try the 'pizza mango' (actually it isn't a pizza and also I would not like to call it that way but it looks a bit similar) because this has such a good and pure taste! Furthermore I would like you to recommend the 'Tuna fish with strawberry'. You would probably say ''thats a strange combination'' but this makes the fish a bit exotic. Really delicious!

As mentioned before, there is one point that they could improve and thats the service of the waiters. These can give you the feeling of 'not interested', at least that were my experiences in this restaurant. Though it is still often full around here, which making reservations in advance might ensure you to have a table for the night.


Mariscastana restaurant upstairs during night 
Maricastana restaurant downstairs
The menu (spanish)
Restaurant downstairs


Restaurant upstairs during day
Circo
Circo is also a recently opened restaurant and is established in front of Maricastana. I landed here coincidently because Maricastana was full and I hadn't made a reservation. The interior of Circo looks like a living room. When you enter the restaurant you see young urban alternative professionals eating and enjoying their time. Circo is Spanish restaurant, where the food is cheap and the service is excellent. You pay around €8 for a dish. The atmosphere here is very non-formal and if you don't like that I would not recommend you to go here. Its a good place to share tapas with some of your friends. The food is served quickly (quality is fine) and you have the possibility to choose from  a big traditional  Spanish menu.


Circo Bar pre-opening 
Circo tables restaurant
Circo (partly) menu
Circo outside
Circo restaurant
La Bicicleta
The latest opened bar/cafe in Malasana is 'La Bicicleta'. This bar/cafe is excellent for having a nice cup of coffee or having a cocktail at night. The bar has an interior which distinguish itself from a lot of other bars in this area. La Bicicleta has an interior based on: bicycles, chesterfield couches, raw & wooden chairs and arty drawings. The walls are white which makes it the perfect combination for a trendy, hip, alternative, hang-out  place. In La Bicicleta its also possible to lunch (not to have dinner!). I haven't tried the lunch yet so I can't tell you anything whether the quality is good or bad. What I do can tell is that the prices for the drinks are relatively expensive. For a Gin-Tonic you pay around €8 - €10. Apparently this doesn't matter for the people who visit this place because it is often crowded. During the day this is place is the perfect workplace, to work, study or read a book. If you want to have a drink before going to a club or party, this is also the right place to go!


Wall drawing La Bicicleta
'Hanging' in La Bicicleta
Furniture La Bicicleta 
Perfect place to work

Well readers, this was it for today. I hope you enjoyed it and found some interesting spots which you would like to visit. Next week you guys can determine about which neighborhood I have to write, so don't forget to vote on my poll on the right of the blog ;)

Have a nice day and enjoy the sun!

Cheers

Casper







Thursday 23 May 2013

Best lifestyle places I tapas bars I areas I restaurants I Shops I Madrid I Sol: Uvepan, Malaspina I La Bienquerida I Gourmet Experience and El Kinze de Cuchilleros

Dear readers,

Today its thursday the 23rd of May. I am looking forward to Saturday because than its weekend and it weekend we can enjoy better of the fantastic city Madrid.  My previous blogs were about the neighborhoods Salamanca and Chueca, two very different areas in Madrid. This week I am going to write about about a more touristic area of Sol Madrid:! 

General
Sol is the center of Madrid where all roads of the center come together at a big square. It is Madrid's most famous and most central square of the city, located just a short walk from the Plaza Mayor. Since this is now Madrid's most central location, it is an excellent area to to stay and there are many hotels, hostals (smaller, often family-run hotels) and tourist apartments nearby. If you look to the "flat" south side of the semi circle you will see a clock tower, part of a building known as the "Real Casa de Correos". This was originally built in the 18th century as part of the Post Office, and now functions as the headquarters of the President of Madrid's Autonomous Community.

Oso
Sol overview
Sol clock tower

On the east side of the square you can find the ''symbol'' of Madrid called the Oso and Madroño. The Oso & Madroño is the official symbol of the city although with an unclear origin - it seems that there used to be many bears in the fields around Madrid although the original symbol was supposed to be a female bear (osa). And the strawberry tree seems to be have actually been a hackberry tree, which was once in abundance around Madrid. Whatever the real history, this bronze statue is the work of the sculptor Antonio Navarro Santa Fe. Although this area is very crowded and touristic, if its your first time in Madrid you should definitely take a quick look.For more touristic information press on the neighborhood Sol.

Due to my longer stay here in Madrid I have found some insight places in Sol which I definitely want to recommend you guys! 

Uvepan
If you want to have an affordable, fresh, spanish breakfast/lunch you should definitely bring a visit to 'Uvepan'. Uvepan is a Spanish is combination of a 'panaderia' (bakery) and 'posteleria' (dessert specialist). You can compare it with ''le pain quotidien'' only its a bit more focused on sweets. The bread that they offer is of very high quality and is being sold for a relatively low price (around 2€). Uvepan is a small 'chain' in Madrid but definitely worth visiting and not so touristic. The one nearby Sol is established in the Calle Mayor number 30. Uvepan has a relaxed atmosphere where all kinds of (spanish) people are coming to have a breakfast or lunch. They have a big 'menu' to choose from. Although they are specialized in sweets and bread it is also possible to order good sandwiches. 

Uvepan interior
Uvepan bread
Uvepan outside

Malaspina
Malaspina is one of the best tapas bar in Madrid, its nearby Sol and not touristic. (calle de cadiz, 9) Malaspina has it all: good food (tapas), great service, cozyness (but still crowded) and the real Spanish atmosphere and culture. If you enter the bar, the first thing you notice is that you hear a loud HOLA (hello)  from the barkeeper. I have visited this place many times and not even one time he forgot to scream a loud HOLA from behind the bar. 

Its not possible to make reservations over here. Its always full with people, no matter what day you visit the bar. Sometimes you have to wait for a while but they always try to serve you as best as possible; providing nice tapas and drinks. The tapas bar is not very big but this gives the real Spanish feeling. You hear everybody talking and ejoying life. If you have bad ears I don't recommend you to go over here, but if you do you won't regret it! The prices of the tapas are relativly low (around 5€) for a plate, which you can divide with tho persons. You nee around 2 till 3 plates in total for 2 persons. The drinks are not expensive as well: a beer costs around 1.8€. After you have enjoyed the food and the atmosphere they always offer you a free shot of the house, no matter how crowded it is. You never have (although people are waiting in line) the feeling that you have to 'hurry up'. If you want to sit down and relax, the bar personal has no problem with that, as it of-course should be. If you receive the bill you are probably stunned about the final amount you have to pay. The food is in general is quite good in comparison for the prices you pay. I would recommend you to try several different things and judge by yourself which you like best (although they have very good 'huevos rotos' -->jamon with eggs and potatoes). The only thing I would not order is the tapas plate for two. Its too much bread and the tapas aren't the best you get. Just order some different plates as they say in Spain 'Para Compartir' (to share). 


Malaspina outside
Malaspina inside
Malaspina inside

Malaspina hasn't got an a website. Of-course you could complain about it, but it has also some charms. On this way only the Madrilenian insiders know where to find, and of-course you now you know it as well. Don't tell it further ;)

La Bienquerida
If you are looking for a place to sit outside, where you can relax, and have a proper meal for an affordable price go to La Bienquerida. This restaurant is established in the Plaza Jacinto. 
This place has the atmosphere, especially in the winter, of a 'Winter Wonderland'. The restaurant is established outside (not in a building like other places but it is just loose standing on a square), it has fantastic service (you really can see the waiters enjoy their work), the furniture is 'sweden-look a like-in the winter' and has a 'relaxed lounge look-a-like in the the summer'

In the winter they have heaters and blankets for each and everyone. The seats are covered with soft white coats. If you are with your beloved one I recommend you to visit this place. What you should order is as followed: both a sangria (which is really nice, in a big glass and it is not too expensive -->3.5€) and order the 'gourmet' for two. This gourmet costs 14€ in total and you have a delicious and cozy meal. You get some different cheeses, bread, vegetables and sausages. This is also a good idea to do in the summer, but than its more a lounge area. Eating is still possible (food in general is fine and not expensive) but my preference has the winter.


La Bienquerida terrace

Corte Ingles Gourmet Experience
El corte Ingles is one of the most famous warehouses of Madrid. Nearby sol (plaza Callao) is one of the warehouses of el Corte Ingles. You can buy whatever you want over here (clothes, electronic equipment, shoppings etc) but this is not why you have to visit this place. You have to visit this place because there is on the 9th floor a so-called 'gourmet experience'. If you enter this area it is a collection of all kinds of tapas. From burgers to sushi, to deserts and different jamons. It is relatively expensive but the atmosphere is hip-Spanish and you have a view over whole madrid. If you have some money to spend I would recommend you to try some tapas and have some drinks. If you don't have a lot of money to spend it is a perfect place to go to see a beautiful view over Madrid, for free. It is, as written in the name, a real experience!


Gourmet experience shop
Gourmet experience interior
Gourmet experience view
Gourmet experience terrace
El Kinze de Cuchilleros
Yesterday I needed a haircut. I have visited several hairdressers here in Madrid and each of them didn't satisfied my needs. A friend of mine recommend me to visit El Kinze de Cuchilleros. This hairdresser (also called barberia), was the hair dresser of former Real Madrid player Ruud van Nistelrooij. The store looks really authentic and classic. The hairdressers really give attention to your hair and treat it with, i would almost say, 'love'. They also shave beards for the price of 1€ above the haircut. I am sad that I found this hairdresser at the end of my period in Madrid because I never experienced such an attention towards my hair. I promised them to return the day before my theses defense. If you want to find a reliable, very cheap (12.5€!!!) hairdresser you have to visit this one. From all my recommendations in this blog, this one hairdresser has become a LoveMark for me.I t is established nearby Plaza Mayor in Calle de los Cuchilleros number 15. This shop is too authentic and too classic to have a website and I hope they never will get one. I felt in love for the second time in my life, this time it wasn't a girl but El Kinze de Cuchilleros. RESPECT!


Hairdressers 'El Kinze'

Hairsalon 'El Kinze'

Hairdressers 
This was my blog for today. Next week I am going to write about the hipster, alternative and upcoming artist neighborhood Malasana. If you like different read my blog next week! 

My last and final recommendation is about a Spanish friend of mine called Elsa, she is very good blog writer and also has great inside information about Madrid. It's called 'Loving Madrid'. Check here blog, because I probably mist something.

Cheers and enjoy the sun!

Casper







Wednesday 15 May 2013

Best lifestyle/places/restaurants/tapa bars in Chueca, Madrid

Dear readers,

Chueca
Last week I wrote about the most interesting places of the neighborhood Salamanca, one of the richest areas in Madrid. This week I am going to write about a total different neighborhood in Madrid: Chueca! Chueca is very famous about their Gay-scene area. There are a lot of different opinions about Gay people, but one thing is for sure, taste do they have!

When you enter the Chueca area you directly see that this is an Amsterdam look-a-like neighborhood, and of course I am not talking about the canals. Both boys and girls are walking hand in hand. If you walk trough the area you can feel and see people watching you, so if you have a low-confidence level, just walk trough this part of Madrid and you confidence level directly gets a boost!

You said they have taste? Tell me more!
Chueca is different than other neighborhoods. Where a lot neighborhoods in Madrid still have the classic restaurants, tapas bars and shops, Chueca is very trendy, hip and modern. Shops which are settled here are not the standard and famous shops such as Zara or Tommy Hilfiger, unless you walk trough Calle Fuencarral (nearby Chueca), no Chueca has different stores, both trendy and classic, appropriate for all kinds of people from young to old. Prices for clothing merchandise is in general not very cheap but the quality is far above average. Even more, the clothing in the stores are not mass focused. Often only one or two clothing peaces are available which offers you the probability on a unique outfit.

But what about the best restaurants and bars?
For me, although I am heterosexual, Chueca is one of my favorite neighborhoods to have a drink and have dinner. One place you definitly should visit is Mercado San Anton. Where Mercado San Miquel (nearby Plaza Mayor) is very touristic, San Anton is crowded with tons of Modern and hip Spanish people, both hetero- as gaysexual. The atmosphere in this 3 floor building reminds me of the American serie ''Orange Country''. Everybody is beautiful and enjoying life is priority number one! The first floor is a market where fresh meat, fish and vegetables are being offered. When you take the stairs and go to the second floor you see all kinds of small modern tapas bars, from sushi till oysters. The second floor has some tables and seats where all the people are having a glass of wine and eat a small bite. After you enjoyed the atmosphere over here I recommend you to go to my favorite part of San Anton; the third floor. The third floor is a combination of a restaurant and a lounge. For the restaurant you often have to make a reservation in advance. They have a extensive menu where they offer al kinds of dishes; both modern as classic tapas, fish, meat, vegetables etc. The plates are served very creative. I have to admit the tastes vary per dish. Some I like, others are too salty for me. The prices for the plates aren't very cheap (for Spanish meanings). You pay for a main course around 16€ - 20€.

Back to the lounge part of San Anton. The lounge part is outside the restaurant. During the winter period the lounge is heated which give a cozy and intimate athmosphere. People are sitting outside and having a wine or a beer. People of all ages appear here but they all have in common that you can see they are dressed hip and trendy. In the summer San Anton is even better to go. You can enjoy the sun while having one of your favorite cocktails. The terrace/lounge has al kinds of furniture where you can chill. Getting a drink at the bar is a bit cheaper than if you order it at a waiter. For a bottle of wine you pay around 15€, a beer is around 3€ and a cocktail is relative expensive (9€). Music is being played at low level on the background. If you want to have a good and enjoyable drink with hip and trendy people I definitly recommend you to visit the third floor!



San Anton roof terrace I

San Anton market overview

San Anton tapas

San Anton roof terrace II

Or take a look at the following short-movie:

You definitely convinced me Casper! But what do you recommend more?!
Well, Chueca is more than San Anton. Nearby San Anton there is square called Plaza de Chueca. This is a square where people are drinking and eating at all kinds of different restaurants, while enjoying the sun. Just a good place to take your relaxing moment.

More specific places
Other favorite places which I like to visit for instance for having a lunch or for a dinner is 'Bla Bla Bla'. This restaurant is established in Calle Prim. A restaurant where classic and trendy is combined. The food is relatively expensive but served well and has fine taste. Service in this restaurant is above average and the saxophonist playing romantic songs at the background makes this a perfect place to have a dine with your beloved one. 


Bristol furniture
Bristol food
Bristol restaurant

Bristol champagne
Behind Calle Prim there is a street which also has a good restaurant/bar, this street is called: Calle Almirante. Here you can find the Bristol Bar. The Bristol bar looks like a English fashion upper class restaurant/bar. The red colors, nice furniture and their posh look give the restaurant/bar an expensive appearance.  Although the prices are relatively high its not unaffordable. Besides, the Bristol Bar has something special. They are specialized in the spirit Gin. With a collection of more than 60 different Gins they distinguish itself from others in this area. You can order your own personalized Gin cocktail exactly how you would want to see it. Furthermore they have every month different Gin offers. If you want to do posh and want to have a good Gin than you know where to go! 


Bristol restaurant

Bristol Gin collection
Bristol furniture
Bristol bar

From the Bristol Bar were are going to Oscar (Plaza Vazquez de Mella). Oscar is a trendy and fasion hotel. If you are looking for something different, established in the center, and you have some money to spend, go to hotel Oscar. This seven floor building with swimming pool on the roof provides all the necessary accessories that a hotel should offer. The furniture is very colorful and gives a futuristic feeling. If you go to the highest floor, you can enjoy of a perfect view of Madrid. The seventh floor has a small swimming pool on the roof where you can cool down if you can't stand the heat anymore. A normal drink costs here around 6 euro (view included). Breakfast is until 12:00 so if you had a rough night you can still be on time for some delicious food. 


Oscar outside
Oscar furniture
Oscar roof and swimming pool

In Chueca there are a lot of places I would like to show and recommend you, but if you want to visit Madrid you need have some adventure left and therefor I am arriving at my final recommendation: Diurno! The interior of Diurno is the combination of Madrid and Paris. It is the perfect place for having a lunch, a cup of coffee or just for take away. Diurno is settled in Calle San Marcos and accounts normal prices for their products. From the inside of the cafe you feel the relaxed atmosphere. Some people are drinking coffee and just talking a bit, while others are relaxing or reading a book. 

Diurno provides also the opportunity to borrow  DVD's and watch these inside of the cafeteria. They have a big collection of al kinds of (recent) movies, from comedies to horrors. Diurno has few service because inside of the cafe you can choose and pick your own meal/lunch. After you have made your choice you pay at the cash desk. One tip: Diurno has fantastic (irish) coffee! This cafe is one of my favorite places to go for having a quick lunch or just to sit down and study my lectures. The quality of their products; sandwiches, pies, yogurts, coffees is extremly high comparing to prices they are asking. 


Diurno interior 
Diurno outside


Diurno sandwiches and shakes
Diurno furniture

This was it for today! Next week I am going to write about the center of Madrid, everything around Sol in particular! Although this area attracts a lot of tourists I have some inside information about great places. You definitely don't want to miss that!

See you next week.

Cheers

Casper