Arriba is one of Ramon Freixa's latest ideas, sited like a theater in a huge food court at the Platea Madrid, (a take-off on Milan and Bolona's Eatily) 5, Goya near Colon. I arrived at 1 PM and was told it didn't open til 1:30 so I repaired to the food court after noting the Picasso bullfight drawings, some of which I have copies, around the bar.
There I sat and sipped some fine sangria while watching more Security folks pass by than Barack Obama has and a huge screen show a loop of what it said were live shots of the Madrid Fashion week, with their models choreographed by the Minister of Silly Walk, John Cleese, I suspect, which I had passed a few hours ago; prompting my observation that the difference between attendees at a fashion event and a medical congress was that the physicians are better looking.
The menu was impressive and the bread roll warm and crusty but it had a strange taste, as did the cod fritter made from the chef's own recipe; ditto the gambas and red rice which also were oversalted; there's something in Madrid cooking that doesn't please my palate. But the rich and suited folk around me seemed to love it all.
My bill, with no bottled water, but coffee, was 45 E.
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So, I was headed off to a trusted source's tapas bar of of her 10 best, the Miguel Angel, just 4 blocks from my hotel, the Miguel Angel - it was described as "the secret tip of everyone in the barrio: breakfast joint in the morning, white table dining at lunch, after work hangout for young professionals on weekends. But those who really know stop in between 7pm and 9pm, when the mood is mellow and the tables in the alcove are still free. Following tradition every glass comes with a heaping plate of tapas to choose from. Cured ham on pisto with melted goat cheese, or the ubiquitous tortilla Espanola, the options change everyday but the flavor is consistent."
But it seems things have changed; plenty of booze, no food and no fun at least at 20h00. So Plan B.
El Jardin del Miguel Angel, in my hotel, BTW a very wonderful luxurious hotel, that I had a great deal from Expedia about (across from all things a Starbucks where I had breakfasts [they have different breakfast stuff]). Well, it was not half-bad; some great olives, wonderful Sauvignon Blanc, amuse of gaspacho (not so great) and salmon pate (pretty great); and a dish of artfully displayed anchovies with toasted "tomato" bread and raw chopped tomatoes like La Gaya used to do on the left bank.
With no water, desserts or coffe, my bill was 28 E.
