TABERNA LAREDO.
East of El Parque del Retiro, in the Retiro district, Barrio Ibiza, this is a long-time favorite of mine. I’ve dined there several times, in both its previous iteration and the newer one where I had booked a reservation by phone (no e-mail booking taken; phone reservations taken only during set hours, as detailed on their website)
This is a mainstay of mine in Madrid, and like many places, I was first alerted to its excellence more than a decade ago by our formidable member, Maribel who, as I think I mentioned above, I had the pleasure of meeting for the first time earlier on this trip, late one evening in the lovely bar of my Jerez hotel, CASA PALACIO MARIA LUISA.
The first (ground) floor is centered around the large bar, lined with seating; there are also a few tables on this floor available to walk ins.
My table was just above the bar, at the end of the main dining room; I had an encompassing view of the bar area, but a quiet seat above the fray.
I’ve written about my impressions of TABERNA LAREDO after earlier visits, so here the photos should give a general Idea. In case this does not shine through, I consider the Laredo brothers’ restaurant to be is a landmark of casual Madrid dining. No fuss, nothing molecular, just great implementation of prime ingredients with equal emphasis on shellfish and meats.
To offer an idea of the graciousness on view, I arrived exactly one hour later for my booking, as I got turned around after asking the help of many passersby, some of whom, in the spirit of hospitality to an obvious foreigner, probably offered direction without being absolutely certain of the location of my destination. I tried to phone the restaurant several times but of course, they pick up only during certain hours. So I arrived flush and apologetic, an hour late on a very busy holiday night, only to be welcomed with kindness and told not to worry in the slightest about being tardy.
I knew before arriving that navajas (razor clams) would be among my choices, as these are the best navajas I’ve ever had. Some char but tender within, it was I could do to restrain from gobbling the shells.
Complimentary mussels in escabeche, with house-made potato chips:
CARTA (one of two pages); before first dish arrives, diners are offered a selection of breads, each of superb quality.
NAVAJAS, before and after:
ARTICHOKE WITH PARMIGIANO…10/10!!
LAREDO has offered wonderful sucking lamb chuletas in the past. On this night, the chuletas on offer were those from an apparently baby rabbit. (I’d had the rabbit chops before and knew they would be superb!) And they were:
Out of the ordinary, crispy and scrumptious and despite their minute size, there was plenty for me to devour, even given that I ordered a half portion; accompanied by good fried potatoes:
To drink: 1 glass Palo Cortado
TOTAL dinner total for one person: 56 euro
