Madrid, a city that is always alive…
Madridisuserfriendly wants to help you to discover Madrid with information the madrileños take for granted. The city is divided in different areas… barrios, they are known as : Barrio Salamanca, Chueca, Malasaña, Centro, Lavapiés, Moncloa, Sol, Gran Vía, Latina, Opera, Paseo del Prado and Atocha.



SPANISH PRODUCTS
The most famous and international Spanish products: Jamón (ham), Tortilla de Patata (Spanish omelete with potato and sometimes, potato and onion), Vino (wine), Chorizo (red sausage, made with pimenton), Morcilla (blood sausage), etc. These are products born in the times of poverty; they are a delicatessen and would be a shame not to taste.

There are several types of Jamón:  Serrano, Ibérico, Pata Negra, Bellota, Jabugo. Which to choose? The price tells the tale. The best and most expensive are the Jabugo, Bellota and Pata Negra. The lower price ranges are the Ibérico and Serrano.  To be honest, they are delicious and its not until you get used to the Jabugo, will you really be able to distinguish which is better …

Spain has lots of cheese.  The most well know is the Manchego cheese from the Mancha…however there are hundreds…. A suggested delicacy is the Torta del Casar from Extremadura.

To buy quality Spanish products we recommend the Charcuteria La Garriga (Paseo de la Castellana, 153), Pasteleria Mallorca (many shops), Museo de Jamón (many shops) and the Corte Inglés delicatessen.

Wine, well, Rioja is now a familiar word and used for all Spanish wines, but in truth is produced in the Rioja area of Spain… Tempranillo is the queen of Spanish red grapes…Verdejo is the queen of Spanish white wine. Ribera de Duero, Penedes, which also produces white wines are probably the best known, but there are many others. . Madrid has its own wine too, which is delicious.  They are produced under a Consejo Regulador and each bottle has an identifying stamp…. Look for the variety of grape on the bottle; with Tempranillo and Verdejo you will never go wrong.

Cava is the Spanish Champagne.  It is mainly produced in Cataluña. This is a family business, very controlled by the Consejo Regulador and the main varieties are Macabeo, Xarello and Parellada. The most famous producers are Codorniú and Freixenet but there are other brands, which are excellent, MUF recommends Juve&Camps, Agustín Torrelló, Mestres, and Recaredo that produce very high quality.




TAPAS, A CULINARY ART IN MINIATURE
It is said that the "Tapa" first appeared when the King Alfonso X the Wise was ill and could only eat small portions…

Tapas represent a way of life. It consists of enjoying the moment before lunch with your friends and a glass of wine, cava or a cold beer. In Spain they believe alcohol must be accompanied by food or you will immediately become tipsy…. the tapa protects you. A tapa usually is included with your drink, free of charge!

There are lots of different types of tapas. They are hot or cold. The recipes change according to the region of Spain. The different sizes are  the Montadito (small sandwich) Canapé (small piece of bred with any ingredient) Pincho (a small piece of ej tortilla de patata), Ración (a small dish of food) Pulga (small lengthened sandwich).

Take advantage that you are in the city to try the great variety of Tapas that exists.

Madrisisuserfriendly recommends some places:

Posada de la Villa, calle Cava Baja, 9
Taberna La Dolores,  Plaza Jesús, 4 (behind Palace Hotel)
El Barril, calle Goya, 86
José Luis, calle Rafael Salgado, 11 (closed to Real Madrid Stadium)
Cervecería Santa Ana, Plaza Santa Ana, 10
La Castela, calle Doctor Castelo, 22
La Monteria, calle Lopez de Rueda, 35
La Ardosa, calle Colón, 13
El Brillante, calle Eloy Gonzalo, 12
Casa Labra, calle Tetuán, 12
Casa Lucas, calle Cava Baja, 30
Cervecería Alemana, Plaza Santa Ana, 6
Cervecería Santa Bárbara, Plaza Santa Bárbara, 8
La Tapería del Prado, Paseo del Prado, 22 (in front of The Prado Museum)
La Trucha, calle Manuel Fernández González, 3
El Doble, calle Ponzano, 58
Entrevinos, calle Ferraz, 36
Aranzabal, calle General Pardiñas, 12
Alarcia, Avenida Felipe II, 32
Biotza, calle Claudio Coello, 27
El Cantábrico, calle Padilla, 39
De pura Cepa, calle Fuente del Berro, 31
La Colonial de Goya, calle  Jorge Juan, 34
El Lateral, Paseo de la Castellana, 132