The Best of Madrid: Three Restaurants
Top Madrid Classic - Restaurant Zalacain: Chef Benjamin Urdiain opened Restaurant Zalacain in 1973. Five years later he had garnered two Michelin Stars, and in 1987 was awarded a third, tops for Michelin restaurants. Cuisine is based on Basque dishes, featuring seafood and game. Don't go before 10:30 pm for dinner. Lunch and dinner: $80-$150 per person. Reserve. Jacket and tie dress code. (Alvarez de Baena, 4, 28006 Madrid, Spain; Tel: 34.1.561.4840, Fax: 561.4732 METRO: Ruben Dario.)
Top Madrid Newcomer - Travel and Leisure Magazine likes La Broche as a new entry into Madrid's culinary reawakening: "Few would quibble with Capel's declaration that La Broche (31 Calle Miguel àngel; 34-91/399-3437; dinner for two $95) is the city's most thrilling new restaurant."
My Pick- Ok, it's touristy, the Guiness Book of World Records calls it the oldest restaurant in the World, and Hemmingway really did eat there. Lots. So my pick is Casa Botín. I knew it was good the first time I saw the waiter hand slice pieces of Serrano ham so gossimer thin you could read a book through them. And the roast suckling pig was sublime. That was in the late 70's, but it's not that long ago for a restaurant that's been open since 1725. (Botín Restaurant, Cuchilleros 17, near Plaza Mayor, Metro: Sol. Telephone (+34) 913 664217 / 913 663026. Open every day. Nearby parking. Spanish (Castillian) cuisine.)
Top Place to Stay in Madrid: The Ritz
Hard to argue with a hotel built by a king. Yep, the Ritz was built in 1908 by King Alfonso XIII with the aid of César Ritz.
You've got your luxurious, antique-stuffed rooms, harp and piano music in the expensive restaurant that's famous for Sunday brunch, as well as all the stuff you'd expect from a first class operation: gym, sauna and business facilities with internet options. A cool happening spot for those before dinner cocktails is the lounge at the Ritz.
And the Ritz is swank. They'd like guys to wear a sport coat and tie after 11, but not everyone does.
Here's what a TripAdvisor user said about the experience:
"What standards! Pressed linen towels reappear magically each time they are used. Linen towels placed over the carpet beside the bed each night so bare feet never touch the beautiful hand woven carpet. Orchids in the bathroom changed as soon as a petal drops."
Rooms at the Ritz start at 470 Euros. You might be able to swing a deal at some web discounters. A recent check of Expedia came up with a price of $317.68 for June. C'mon, put on the ritz; you have to splurge some time in your life!
The Ritz is part of Madrid's "Golden Triangle" which includes the the three most important museums: the Prado, the Thyssen Bornemisza and the Centro de arte Moderno Reina Sofia. It's right in front of Park El Retiro, tops for that early morning jogging you've been thinking of doing.
Hotel Ritz Plaza de la Lealtad 5, Madrid.
Phone: 91-701-67-67.
Fax: 91-701-67-76.
Second Best: Hotel Reina Victoria
Knock a star off the Ritz, add some romance in the form of visiting matadors and the ghost of Hemingway and you've got the Hotel Reina Victoria, according to Ferne Arfin, who reviewed it for us:
"Throughout the season, visiting matadors dress and prepare here. Manolete was a regular guest, hosting lavish parties during the 1940s. Hemingway was a fan, and Prosper Mérimée wrote his novella "Carmen" in rooms here in the 1840s."
Best Museum: The Prado
Yes, a pilgrimage to one of the World's top art museums is part of the Best of Madrid package. Price at the Ritz got you down? The Prado is free on Sundays after 2pm.
More Madrid
Check out our Madrid Directory for more travel and tourism information on Madrid.
