LA BARRACA

We asked for a classic Paella restaurant where locals patronize on specialty occasions and La Barraca came up. Located on a quiet street off Gran Via she gives one the immediate feel that history is on her side. We were booked for lunch at 2pm on a Saturday but the place was empty when we arrived. We felt better when a couple without a reservation was turned away, then the roof caved in by 3pm, when the rest of the world showed up, for lunch, of course.

I was more fascinated by the parade of old photos on the wall than the Paella. Imagine being seated at the same table as the late Prince Rainier of Monaco and her consort the late Hollywood legend Grace Kelly? On the food front the highlight was not the Paella Marinera de la Casa (despite the excellent red prawns and because we had better ones in Valencia which sits on the Mediterranean coast) but the Gazpacho Andaluz and the really well done Callos a la Madrilena ie tripe. We fell in love with both, the most flavorful cold and hot dishes to date. Lunch for two was E80 including a E10 tip and what a wonderful treat it was.

LA BARRACA @ www.labarraca.es
Calle Reina 29
28004 Madrid
(91) 532 71 54