Tucked into a quiet, residential corner of Madrid, O'Grelo is a seafood lover's dream. The room is…read morebright and spotless, the counter gleams, and the air smells like nothing at all, which is exactly what you want when the catch is truly fresh. It was packed to the gills (pun intended) with immaculate product coming in throughout the day, laid out in a dizzying variety that looked as beautiful as it tasted. You won't find much in terms of elaborate dishes here. O'Grelo is all about the fresh catch itself.
We loved it so much we went two nights in a row. Over those visits we bulldozed our way through oysters, sea urchin, carabinero prawns, langoustines, razor clams, percebes, and a handful of other crustacean curiosities I couldn't even name before this meal, "slipper lobsters" among them. Many of the species on offer were new to me, yet every plate arrived pristine and delicious, proof that ingredient quality and careful handling do most of the talking here.
In a city spoiled for extraordinary food, O'Grello still stands out. It's un-touristed, fairly priced for the caliber, and run with care. If the sea is your happy place, this is a must - one of those experiences you'll wish you could bring home with you.
