It's literately 1 minute walk from where we stayed. And according to other reviewers, it's a local joint. Upon entering, we noticed the bar stools are all taken. Found a spot by the ciggie dispensary. The man behind the counter says "cider?" I say "si, dos". That's the extent of my Spanish. He brings two large glasses of ciders and mussels and olives to go with the drink, on the house, apparently. Stumped with what to order, I asked the man what is good here, he apparently does not speak English and turns to the TDH (tall dark handsome) young man to the left of us. He translates and says "speak slowly in English". I told him what we wanted to eat is whatever is good here. Seeing this a locals joint. He reads the menu and gives very deep thoughts and explanations. We were vetoed on a couple of items but he seems to come through for us: salad, iberico ham sandwich ($6.6), small braised octopus (half of the size), fried squid. All very delicious. Man behind the counter brings a potato salad, chilled superbly good. Even better than Bavarian potato salad. Also on the house. Can't eat them all and they bring containers to take away, seeing we have a fridge and kitchen where we are staying. But that's not all, when all finished, they bring out liqueur to drink after the meal, also complimentary. Total of 4 complimentary tapas, it'd cost you 20 euro in a touristy trap. Totally worth standing and eating by the counter. In total, 4 large dishes paid, 4 small dishes, on the house, 2 large local ciders, 2 after meal drinks, complimentary, set you back 31 euros or $34.
TDH young man asks where we are from. We answer. He said that he's just back from West Coast, three days ago. Said that he's a police man and if there is any problem, just call, that is if he can give us his #. I take his phone number because I can use a police in a foreign country. Plus it seems that he wants to show us around. His buddies congrats him for his skillz of picking up foreign women. I'm more along the thinking of what the hell am I going to do by myself for two days? I can't take another castle another palace another cathedral. Is there anything local that I must not miss in the Spanish capital? Further more, he did promise that he has a few other suggestions for where to get good and local tapas plus drinks, that is if I call him. This being Spain, everyone uses Whatsapp. I add his contact in my Whatsapp contact (denote Madrid to not be confusing him as some other dude), as he puts his helmet on and rides back onto the dark street. read more