Sherry, olives and flamenquito at La Venencia

Just four words: "Enough with that Hemingway", La Venencia is cool in its own right.

Traditional food at El Comunista

Sometimes unsophistication can be good fun. Stuck in time casa de comidas and former communist "resistance" meeting place, dangerouuusssss.

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Chocolate con Churros at San Ginés

"Chocolate con churros with your grandma" is Spaniards' take on "high tea with your aunties", an equally "heady" experience. Hot chocolate Spanish style might be too thick for you...Even so, you should give it a try just to get a glance of those ecstasy faces and chocolaty smiles around you while at Chocolatería San Ginés

Croquetas de Bacalao at Casa Labra

Yummy, Yummy Bacalao-Bacala-Cod Croquetas and Tajadas fritas at Casa Labra, Spaniards luvv their fried food and only use olive oil... the beauty of it is that when they don't, you don't even care and order another round.

I got the pic here

I want a Bocadillo de Calamares in my bowl and then some

While in Madrid checking some art at Reina Sofía Museum, don't forget to grab a Bocadillo de Calamares at El Brillante a quintessential tapas dive: old fashioned decor, old fashioned waiters and real deal food that never goes out of fashion. For Daredevils the "arty" zarajo is a must, if that's a good sign the "Diplomatic wife" below seemed to ignore what she was missing.

I got the pic here