http://tupalo.com/madrid.rss Tupalo en-us http://tupalo.com/spot/2253-zadig-andamp-voltaire-madrid-spain c My love-hate relationship with fashion is perhaps best exemplified by this bastion of "French rebellious chic." The fabrics are always super soft (check the cashmere), the colors pretty (violets, pinks, turquoises), but the sizes are always super small and the designs questionable, unless skulls and crossbones set in rhinestones are your thing. shopping french chic recoletos 40.422492 -3.694174 Mon, 11 Aug 2008 03:48:06 +0200 http://tupalo.com/spot/2253-zadig-andamp-voltaire-madrid-spain http://tupalo.com/spot/2184-golem-madrid-spain c As I've probably mentioned in a review of the Cines Renoir (and as I've mentioned to friends), I try to avoid going to Cine Ideal simply because I try to avoid Sol and its environs whenever possible. So, while Golem (and the Cines Renoir) is much smaller (four or five screens, I can't remember), it's also less exhausting, more selective. I doubt that Romanian cinema could even make the list over at the Ideal, but then again, Golem is owned by one Spain's leading art film distributors of the same name, who operate in four other cities, so there you go. Quality over quantity...you decide. (P.S. Monday is spectator day, 5,-EUR for any session.) cinema plaza_de_españa film argüelles cinema 40.424802 -3.713914 Sat, 12 Jul 2008 07:31:36 +0200 http://tupalo.com/spot/2184-golem-madrid-spain http://tupalo.com/spot/5848-entremigas-madrid-spain c Another designer bakery/pastry shop, but TOTALLY worth it. You can't walk by without buying anything, nor without salivating at their counter. The dulce de leche croissant (they offer the homemade dulce de leche in a jar, too) is really, to die for, or try one of their empanadillas or hell, if you can afford it (financially, dietetically), try a little of everything! There's also a branch in Salamanca on Principe de Vergara, but this one is homier. restaurant pastries sandwiches empanadas argentinian chamberí 40.434498 -3.700572 Sat, 12 Jul 2008 07:15:12 +0200 http://tupalo.com/spot/5848-entremigas-madrid-spain http://tupalo.com/spot/5852-bajo-cero-madrid-spain c When I think of ice cream, I don't necessarily think of it as beautiful, or DESIGNER, yet shops like Bajo Cero exist to prove the opposite. You'd think you were walking into Colette for frozen goods, but the staff are surprisingly laidback and really, who can resist the temptation of a rose-petal flavored ice cream, if solely out of curiosity? And yes, it does taste like flowers! Take out your 2,50 scoop ("cucurucho") on the sidewalk and enjoy it watching the Glorieta de Quevedo. cafe trafalgar ice_cream chamberí quevedo 40.433771 -3.704363 Sat, 12 Jul 2008 06:28:37 +0200 http://tupalo.com/spot/5852-bajo-cero-madrid-spain http://tupalo.com/spot/2516-lbagel-kaffee-madrid-spain c CLOSED cafe sandwiches bagels deli salamanca 40.435177 -3.67927 Sun, 06 Jul 2008 23:47:14 +0200 http://tupalo.com/spot/2516-lbagel-kaffee-madrid-spain http://tupalo.com/spot/7153-trae-madrid-spain c If you're a fan of minimalism--i.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. shopping chueca Scandinavian 40.42392 -3.697713 Tue, 03 Jun 2008 16:59:57 +0200 http://tupalo.com/spot/7153-trae-madrid-spain http://tupalo.com/spot/2190-cafe-comercial-madrid-spain c It's one of those old-style places I enter only when I desperately need to grab a cup of coffee and just relax for a short while with a friend before going up and down Fuencarral or hitting up Malasaña. Nothing special, really, which is why this review is short. cafe bilbao classic 40.428794 -3.702164 Tue, 03 Jun 2008 16:44:03 +0200 http://tupalo.com/spot/2190-cafe-comercial-madrid-spain http://tupalo.com/spot/5849-la-piteria-madrid-spain c Ok, let me just say it straight away: if you want a "traditional," old-school pita, with falafel and all the trimmings, you're better going off to the Maoz on Fuencarral or Calle Mayor, most of all because it's hearty and MUCH cheaper. As I was very curious about this place, however, I duped my friend into eating lunch here with me on a fine Sunday afternoon. It looked nice AND it was practically deserted which, come to think of it, was probably a bad sign. The sandwiches here are original to say the least, and if I remember correctly, they had THREE vegetarian (sorry, vegans!) offerings. I chose the "Bruxelloise," consisting of raisins, Bechamel sauce, and I can't remember what else, I can't actually remember, because my mouth was watering for falafel. They also offer salads and pasta (my friend said the lasagna was "ok"). In any case, we had a filling lunch, and we're mostly disappointed because we were charged for water (ok, so we didn't specify tap, fine) and bread (although the sauce was delicious, it would've been niced to have been asked). Meh. restaurant salads trafalgar chamberí pita pasta 40.429973 -3.703706 Tue, 03 Jun 2008 16:42:24 +0200 http://tupalo.com/spot/5849-la-piteria-madrid-spain http://tupalo.com/spot/7017-mint-marche-madrid-spain c Maybe all the new-ish shops popping up in this area of town want to fashion it after the Marais in Paris. I suppose it's a got a long way to go, but installing exclusive little boutiques like this may be a start. Lots of Tara Jarmon, Maje, and (my current favorite) Sessun, but also Danish brands like Muka and Rützou. I hate to admit it but I do swoon for the soft fabrics and "slightly edgy" cuts and patterns, but unfortunately, they're not appearing at Zara any time soon. shopping conde_duque french_labels chic 40.426452 -3.711161 Fri, 16 May 2008 23:41:45 +0200 http://tupalo.com/spot/7017-mint-marche-madrid-spain http://tupalo.com/spot/6612-viva-la-vida-madrid-spain c After walking by the shop numerous times, I finally took the plunge and followed a friend inside, enticed by the aroma of the buffet. At 1,80-,EUR per 100 grams, it's not a bad deal, and I came away with a 7EUR lunch of tofu with onions, seitan to rival that of Vegaviana's, cherry tomatoes, and fried brown rice with mushrooms. Seating is limited, with what seems to be one table inside, and the counters and benches right outside of the shop. Viva la Vida is also a grocery shop, so if you're just popping in for some soy milk, here's your place. The lady working there was real nice, too. cafe vegetarian buffet take-away organic huertas vegan vegetarian buffet international vegan-friendly 40.413188 -3.696437 Fri, 16 May 2008 23:23:51 +0200 http://tupalo.com/spot/6612-viva-la-vida-madrid-spain