Chris Pearrow
Andalusian Gem in Downtown Madrid
Spain is famous around the world for its excellent cuisine, but, as often happens in the touristy downtowns of Madrid and Barcelona, signs advertising "authentic" cuisine are anything but. Not the case at La Taberna del Puerto. If you're looking for home-style (but still refined) Andalusian cuisine prepared fresh with great ingredients, La Taberna is the place. The menu revolves around typically Andalusian fare (fresh fish, salads, grilled veggies, shellfish, etc.) as well as a good variety of to-order paellas and rice dishes. Highlight of the menu for me were the flame-grilled artichoke hearts, nice and smoky and covered in sea salt.
Next up we ordered the steamed mussels with garlicky, briney aioli and some prawn croquettes. Finished it off with an over-the-top tiramisu (not so authentically Spanish, but oh well) made with real espresso and homemade cream. And not too shabby, price-wise, by Madrid standards at least. Several rounds of beer, 3 platters to share, plus bread, dessert, and coffee for two rounded out to around 50 euros total. If you're looking for the real-deal Spanish cuisine that people rave about but is too elusive in Sol and La Latina, take the metro to Ibiza (purple line) and give La Taberna del Puerto a taste.
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