Nikko Hinderstein (1972)

For being a Michelin-ranked restaurant, El Buey is surprisingly affordable and makes for a fun interactive meal!

The restaurant, one of two in Madrid, is famous for the high quality of ox meat which you can order in a stew or in raw slices to cook on a hot ceramic plate. The ox-tail stew, though spectacular, is nothing compared to the raw meat with big grains of salt, seared on your plate. Don’t rush and try to cook all of the meat slices at once, if your plate gets cool, ask the attentive waiter for another one.

The menu is short, with some fish and vegetable options and the waiter will also tell you about any daily specials as well. Added bonuses are the excellent house wine (which you can buy on your way out) and aged cheese that is served as you sit down at the table. My only complaint would be that the fried potatoes served with most of the dishes are unimpressive in comparison with the rest of the food.

Verging on being my favorite place on earth, this museum is a true gem.

You might not know the artist JoaquínSorolla, but you’ve probably seen his paintings in a museum or two. He did his thing back in the late 1800s and developed a gentle realistic touch in his paintings of his family and friends. Sorolla is one of the many who has fallen under the beautiful spell of the Alhambra in Granada. While constructing his house (which is now the museum), he put in various reminders of the Alhambra, down to designing the garden with a mini version of one of the main fountains.

The house itself is set up to display not only his artwork, but also the artwork of his friends and the decor which he either designed or painted. Of note is the dining room decor which features painted angelic versions of his wife and children floating on clouds. His studio is the central focus of the house with a high ceiling and light from almost all sides – it’s easy to see how he was so inspired to paint.

The museum is a little off the beaten track of Madrid’s museums, but it’s walking distance from the Fundación Lázaro Galdiano (see the Fundación Lázaro Galdiano article).

P.S. Entrance is free on Saturday from 14:00 – 20:00 and all day Sunday.

I’m almost afraid to post my secret jamón supply online, but jamón is for sharing, so here goes.

Deep in the center of Madrid, El Rincón Iberico has some of the best Extremaduran ham, cheese and wine at very reasonable prices. The place itself doesn’t look like much and it can fill up with a crowd if there is a big show at Sala El Sol next door, but most of the time it’s pretty mellow.

The lunch specials are a good deal for enjoying at one of the few tables in the cramped dining area, but my favorite jamón de bellota (ham made from pigs that have only eaten acorns) is amazing and goes well with a glass of red wine – and it’s all priced very reasonably. Also check out their small store on the same block.

I love the gregarious waiters at Casa Mingo – some of whom have been working there for over 25 years, while the restaurant was established in 1888. They help set the jovial mood of this sprawling restaurant which gets even bigger in warmer weather with a sidewalk and rooftop terrace.

Casa Mingo is famous for its home-brewed (sweet, apple, alcoholic) € 5.50-a-bottle cider which comes from the Asturian region of Spain, but everyone will tell you that the real house specialty is the roasted chicken. The menu only has a handful of options for sharing like the whole roasted chicken, tortilla de patata (potato omlette), “cabrales” cheese (like blue cheese) and delicious cider-cooked chorizo sausage. For dessert they even have a cider-made cheese cake, but I prefer the almondy Tarta de Santiago which also comes from the North of Spain.

Of note, they only accept cash and they don’t take reservations. Casa Mingo is a bit off the beaten path, a 10-15 minute walk from the Principe Pío metro stop, but the economical and tasty meal is worth it. For an added bonus, don’t miss the Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida (check the Ermita de San Antonio article) next door with Goya’s frescos and tomb.

In comparison with Goya’s bizarre dark paintings and prints, the restored luminous fresco ceilings at the Ermita de San Antonio seem bright and cheerful. But sneaky Goya added a bit of street life – grungy stone workers, prostitutes, dogs, kids playing, etc, to add a little intrigue. Luckily, King Carlos IV approved it when it was completed in 1798, and the chapel has since become known as Goya’s masterpiece. His tomb is noted by a marble slab at the altar, while most of your attention is directed upwards to the ceiling via mirrors so you don’t hurt your neck.

Saint Anthony is considered the go-to saint for marriage set-ups, so on his saint day, June 13th, the single ladies flock to the Ermita. Next door is a replica of the chapel that is still used for religious services. If you’re hungry, go next door to Casa Mingo (check the Casa Mingo article).