Upon relaxing, we soon discovered that they were plastic, and not leather, but this didn't damper our evening as we laughed off about embarrassing teenage crushes. The espresso's OK, the ambiance even better--the lighting and music are set at the appropriate levels in order for you to enjoy your conversation with your partner(s). Service is also quite efficient...and yes, like about every other place in the neighborhood, BA Cafe offers monthly rotating exhibits, featuring painting and photography.

Prepare to enter a world of colorful and cheerful design, as your utensils are served in small plastic buckets and assorted Mexican paraphernalia scream at you from every angle. Yes, there are nachos (and very good ones, at that), but if you're looking for burritos/tacos/fajitas or--dog forbid--SOPAPILLAS, you're at the wrong place, because none of this is available here. But (if you're meat-friendly) you can have a whack at their specialty, steak fillet with huitlacoche.

So far my favorite coffeeshop in which to relax during weekday afternoons, with a book or with friends or just staring off into space listening to music that I always seem to enjoy, though I might not necessarily know who is playing. On the weekends, it can be sometimes tough to find a spot because it's a rather "well-known secret." Really good but kind of expensive (2EUR) tea.

A very upmarket, beautiful shoe shop with beautiful shoes sold by beautiful people, I hate to go in, lest I make a compulsive purchase. Guess it's a good thing that I'm a disaster on heels.

Alas, we were a little too late, but this did not deter us from getting a treat. Everything looked utterly delectable, but we finally decided on a huge strawberry-filled macaron, which burst with even more flavor after each bite. I will be a return customer, that's for sure!

That said, Diurno is a mellow place to chill out with friends or peruse movies, with equally mellow spatial design for good vibes. It's actually quite popular, so I like to go on weekday mornings/afternoons when most of the regulars are off at work or whathaveyou.

You can tell that everything was handpicked carefully and lovingly by Lotta (its owner and namesake), mostly women's items (dresses, coats), and a handful of stuff for men as well. Guaranteed unique-ness, Jenny Lewis-ness.

Features interesting artwork to say the least (check out the latest [11/07] exhibit of ludic paintings and illustrations featuring penises, including one dressed as Bambi!). In addition to art, Mad is Mad also sells more "portable" items, such as books, zines, bags, dolls, toys...all in all, a great concept and also a wonderful place to shop for that discerning arty-indie friend. Oh yeah, the girl that's always there is really nice; they have an embosser and stickers and everything!

I could go on as much as I could spend time here. There's always something new, and you're quite welcome to loll away the hours here. And what tomes! Without even opening it up, you already have an interesting one in your hands, some titles beautifully bound and letter-pressed. Panta Rhei also offers rotating exhibits featuring contemporary illustrators, so check their site for the next one. Perusing the collection, these ladies know their shit (but are super nice about it), so don't hesitate to ask them for suggestions if you're looking for something in particular.

e., unfinished wood and lofty ceilings, this is your store. If you're a fan of simple (but not simplistic) clothes made by folks whose names you can't pronounce, this is your store. And obviously, this is your store if you're an effortlessly stylish 25-35-year-old indie ingenue (or look like one) strolling down a Chueca sidestreet at 11AM because "there's nothing else to do." I can imagine Frida Hyvönen or Victoria Bergsman modeling the threads, or at the very least, providing the soundtrack. If I had the funds, it'd be my store, too.

You're in Spain, land of jamón, where it can be difficult to find decent vegetarian/vegan food even in the capital city. Of course, I made the same mistake twice, but it was worth sitting near the kitchen to try out the hummus and the San Jacobo, filled with seitan, mushrooms, and a kind of vegetable pâté and down two glasses of utterly delicious orange juice. For those Mexican-food-loving-expats, the "Combinación Azteca" (burritos, jalapeños, and guac) isn't too shabby. The wonderful array of salads would be best for you folks who want something lighter; my faves are the Casablanca (with couscous) and the Refrescante, which really IS as refreshing as it purports to be. Unfortunately, Vegaviana isn't too easy on the pocketbook, so I'd suggest getting the lunch deal at around 9,-EUR.