When I write a review I first consider the fact that reviews can impact someone's livelihood and I…read morewrite with the public's interest in mind. That said.....
You know the saying, things happen for a reason? Well, I was actually walking the streets half a mile from my hotel to return a wallet that I found in the middle of the street. I tracked the owner (he happens to be a soccer player) down and at first could not find him. More on this later. I walked by El Cuervo and the owner, Luis Miguel, was standing in the doorway. He looked so friendly that I had to go in. I stayed two hours!
Most tourists don't stay in Barajas and would never find this place. I am glad I did. First, there is none of that "measured shot from a shot glass crap" at this place. They pour you a real gangster drink. When Luis Miguel poured my drink all I could say was whoa and all I could think was that I'm glad "Baby" wasn't with me at that moment. She definitely would have poured some in a separate glass! Within ten minutes a couple of locals happened by, the owner's wife joined us and we had a party going on. I had an East Harlem flashback of sorts.
About every fifteen minutes or so Luis Miguel left and returned with tapas. You name it I had it, from a traditional Spanish omelet, cheese tapas, salami tapas, and ham tapas. Before long everybody at the bar was ordering and sharing.
My favorite memory will be Luis Miguel playing music. He has a knack for finding YouTube videos of non-famous folks that make you ask: "Who the hell is that?" I mentioned that my favorite music is Bachata. After that it was "on like hot buttered popcorn." First Omega El Fuerte then Frank Reyes and I thought I was in my own family room where I have been known to "tear the roof of the sucka." I left with a yellow pad full of names of folks I intend to download, directions to the stores that the locals shop in and most of all a great feeling knowing I met new folks who have already emailed me to exchange music.
If you are not comfortable traveling off the beaten path or have a jellyfish nature about yourself (for the hip impaired this means you have no backbone or have been called a sissy) you might not venture off to El Cuervo and this would be too bad. This is just a great family pull-up-to-the-bar-and-sit-a-spell place.
As for the wallet that brought me to El Cuervo in the first place, on the way home I found number 53 and the player, who shall remain nameless, walked with me to my hotel where I returned his wallet including the Euros that came with it. He was amazed and said when I returned next autumn drinks are on him. I think I'll select El Cuervo!
