There's no sign and sometimes, even if you're usually good with directions like I am, you can get confused. After a few tries, I finally found the entrance, feeling foolish because I'd bypassed the stairways leading to it (eastern and western ends of the Plaza, on Gran Via) so many times. In any case, the slightly disheveled store is a must for (most of) your Asian goods: seaweed, noodles (instant and not), spices, sauces, dips, dumplings. You name it, and they probably have it here, including a wide range of Chinese-language books and magazines. Five stars for me because there are even Philippine dried mangoes so, of course, I'm returning.

so many veggie-friendly businesses are named after this concept, and I suppose this means that veggie products co-exist "in harmony" with ones that contain meat. Who knows? This is more a health food shop than anything else, with the dining area tucked away in the back. At 8,-EUR, the lunch special (from noon to 2pm) is supremely filling, so unless you're really hungry or are sharing, I'd recommend just one of the sandwiches at 3,50 and a cup of tea. Plus: the owner, Manon, is quite nice and informs of you of the provenance of selected products.

NaturaSí stocks tofu, seitan, tempeh, quinoa, pita--basically anything "weirdly" vegetarian/vegan/environmentally-friendly and organic that you'll have a tough chance finding elsewhere at a decent price, including vitamins and beauty products and of course, the most important of food items, ICE CREAM. The produce section leaves much to be desired, so perhaps you might opt for a market or (gasp!) El Corte, even. Arguelles branch is small but its aisles well-marked; if you can't find anything, one of the harrassed-looking but ultimately friendly employees will point you in the right direction. There are two other branches in town in Salamanca (C/Montesa 31) and next to the Santiago Bernabeu stadium (C/Doctor Fleming 1). Website orders at naturasite.com.

Yes, I find their motto, "serious food...silly prices," only partially true, so I usually get stuff here that I can't find anywhere else, like two packs for $1 of Brazilian cookies I've never heard of, or 69-cent Brown Cow yogurt. I'm sure shoppers appreciate the free coffee--served in Dixie cups, of course, but no one seems to stop you for multiple refills. They also take off a nickel for every shopping bag you reuse, so remember to bring your own!

I say that because merchandise rotates often, so if you're into a certain brand of, say, chips, or, vegan pesto, you better stock up because you don't know when they'll be back. Products are also a tad overpriced, but what did you expect? It's a small health-food shop; at least you kind of know to whom your money is going.