Posted by Katrin on July 1st, 2007 — Posted in Art, Bars, Travel
Last year I blogged about Madrid, which has mysteriously vanished and got lost somewhere in the Matrix… Pictures and text was safely stored on my computer though, so here it is again:
Hola Madrid!
Last weekend I was lucky enough to fly to Madrid. It was my first time in Spain (if you leave out one childhood vacation which I don’t remember at all) and I felt very adventurous. Mostly because I am not used to being in a country whose language I don’t speak and it is such a weird feeling when you can’t communicate. You become very good in smiling and pointing though.
We were visiting friends who live right in the centre. The first night we went out to explore the tapas bars in their area. I might not have to stress how fantastic these were and can just leave it up to your imagination. But just in case: They were FANTASTIC! Mostly because there were only locals around us since tourists often don’t find their way into the regular living areas of a city. In the first one we had tostas which are similar to tapas but they are mostly all on a piece of baguette so you can eat them easily while standing and holding your glass of wine. You just keep ordering what you like and tell the waiter later what you had.
Then we went on to the next bar where we had our first Serrano Ham (there was lots more to come) and octopus which was delicious. It was a very buzzing atmosphere, everybody was enjoying a glass of wine and talking.On Saturday we started to explore the city. When I don’t have much time in one place I like to have just a general idea about where to go and then stroll around.
Madrid is certainly a good place to do that! Just start walking and see what lies ahead!
We also wanted to explore the shopping possibilities, after all Christmas is coming up. The inner city is very good for shopping and if you prefer to have it all under one roof try the department store El Corte Inglés. There are different ones around and if you are looking for presents this is a good place to go. We also bought a paella pan along with tapas plates and bistrot wine glasses for ourselves there.
El Corte Inglés
Hermosilla, 112
28009 Madrid
We didn’t have much luck with the weather, but that gives you just another excuse to go in somewhere and try more specialities. In the afternoon we were quite exhausted and felt like having a coffee somewhere. We came across this absolutely packed place which can be described as a tapas bar just for coffee and cakes. You stand at the bar, order your coffee and point to any of the little white dishes with a variety of cakes on them. They had a sitting room upstairs but that was full already and we were happy anyway to be in the middle of the buzz. Definitely a must-try-when-in-Madrid!
La Mallorquina, S.L.
Puerta del Sol, 8
Mayor, 2
Phone: 91 521 12 01
After having dinner in the inner city our host promised to show us two bars he liked. Both of them are quite hidden and you have to know where they are, otherwise you might walk by without noticing.
The first one was absolutely fabulous, my Dry Martini was superb and the setting couldn’ have been more amazing. It seemed to be an old theater and the bar is on the stage with a wide open space above you instead of a sealing! There was a sitting area as well which must have been the stalls of the theater once. You stand up there at the bar overlooking the rest. Who would have thought as the simple outside looked like this:
The second one was a Cuban bar which was different but very good as well. You actually had to walk into a regular appartment building and then find the bar at the first floor. Very smokey as I imagine cuban bars to be, and a very lively atmosphere. If you walk by a front door like this, it might be worth checking out the first floor:
Unfortunately I promised not to reveal their destinations, so they will remain special.
On Sunday we took a stroll in the park and headed towards the Prado Museum. It is free on Sundays and was packed in a very casual, relaxed way. I liked that but it also made me not want to stay very long because there are so many people moving around and standing in front of you. If you are in
Madrid and want to go choose another date, what you see is definitely worth the EUR 6,-!
I wanted to see Goya’s Maya which is brilliant. Or both of them I should say as you see here dressed on one and undressed on the other one. And then Las Meninas by Velasquez blew me away!
Museo Nacional Del Prado
Paseo del Prado s/n.
28014 Madrid
Phone: 91 330 28 00
And full of all these impressions we headed back home to London!
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Posted by Katrin on May 14th, 2007 — Posted in Restaurants, Bars
Oh cool, who would have thought I have this jewel in my backyard! Well, not actually in my backyard, but just around the corner anyway.
I was lucky enough to be taken out to dinner last night. We knew this place was in the neighbourhood but for some reason never got around to try it. Then a little article caught our attention.
Entering through a large wooden door which has a bit of a keep-out feeling you walk into a room that has such a comfortable atmosphere to it you want to just sit down and spend the entire evening there. Dark brown wood and warm reds dominate the interior, in the warmer months the French windows open up towards the quiet street where a few more tables are standing.
The menu offers Tapas style dishes divided into vegetable, meat and seafood, pizza (small ones, in line with the Tapas theme) and desert. All on an A4 paper – I love it when there aren’t too many choices. The food is absolutely delicious! The waitress recommended about three dishes per person. Try the house salad of Puy Lentils, Feta and Olives in Honey Mustard Dressing, the Roast Sweet Potatoe and Butternut Squash with wilted Spinach, and the Pork Meatballs in roasted Tomato Sauce. The Manchego filled Dates wrapped in Parma Ham are absolutely divine and because of their sweetness can work well at the end of the meal. Be aware of the oysters though, they are very fresh and tasty but huge! I’m not exaggerating… I am a fan of oysters but there even I hesitated for a moment.
Only sad note to the evening: We didn’t have much luck with the wine. The Montepulciano was disappointing, mainly because it was watery. The Rioja couldn’t win us over either. So you might want to try a glass first before deciding on a bottle.
Priory House
Bar and Restaurant
58 Milson Road
London W14 0LB
020 7371 3999
The Priory House
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Posted by Katrin on November 17th, 2006 — Posted in Bars, Theater
Last night I had tickets for “pool, no water” in the Lyric Theater in Hammersmith. I have looked at the building often while strolling around the market on Thursdays, and wondered what it might be like inside. I think it is always interesting to explore new places, hidden from the world and not easily seen. You have to enter to find out. This one was definitely a winner!
The reception area really doesn’t look like much, in fact there even isn’t much space. You have to walk up two stairs in order to find yourself in an open bar area, which is inviting and modern at the same time. You can have a glass of wine, coffee or even a few sandwiches or cakes. Just right if you made it there straight after work and you haven’t had dinner.
The stage is again one floor up and you suddenly find yourself in a surrounding that could be an original old theater! It looks cosy and oldfashioned and although I am assuming that it is just made to look that way, it is not hard to immagine it’s real.
The play was chosen by my date and I do have my doubts about modern pieces. Nevertheless the music and lighting were very good and, although I would have liked somewhat more of a storyline, it was entertaining. Like in most modern pieces the actors needed about 15 minutes to be naked on stage (I never quite understood the necessity of it but I guess by now you are only allowed to call your play modern if at least one person is naked for some time), you had the must-have frantically running around part as well and more meaningful stares towards the ceiling than dialogue.
But, I am the first to admit, in the end it is all a matter of personal taste. The play was already on for some time and it was completely sold out. My number one modern-theater-experience will never be topped anyway: I once saw a play in Paris which lasted roughly three hours and in the end ALL the actors were frantically running around naked, demolishing a whole house that had been build on stage. That was too much, even for my tolerance level…
I should mention that there was the possibility of meeting the actors after the play in order to ask questions. We prefered having another glass of wine in the bar as we had to prepare our upcoming trip to Madrid, but next time that’s certainly something I would like to do.
I did enjoyed myself and will most definitely come back to see more!
Lyric Hammersmith
Lyric Square, King Street
London W6 0QL
Tickets: 08700 500 511
Look it up on the map
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Posted by Katrin on November 16th, 2006 — Posted in Cafés, Bars, Movies
Luckily in the area where I live are quite a few venues. That means getting bored is not an option, there are too many theatres, cinemas, shopping possibilities, cafes and restaurants.
The other day we decided to try the Riverside Studios. I walked past it once and it looked like a nice place for the evening. They have a movie theatre, changing shows and a bar, but you can also go there just to grab a coffee or have lunch. It sounded like a good mixture!
We met for a drink at the bar which turned out to be a bit dissapointing. I think it is meant to be industrial style but there could have been more effort put into the design of the place. So far it looks a bit unfinished. The lack of windows (none…) doesn’t make it very comforting and it has the feeling of a university-cafeteria.
However the wine was good and it was fun watching the dancers of the show running by to get to their stage.
I had picked The Queen as the movie for the night. I figured it is a must-see when you live in Britain. The movie theatre is all the way up the stairs and the room was huge with a very big screen (you never know when you try out the smaller places…). In front of the screen was a stage and in the corner stood a piano. It looked like there were dance lessons to take place as well. All in all a quirky kind of place, but in the nice, comfortable way.
I should mention that the movie was fabulous! Me being a Helen Mirren Fan I enjoyed seeing her in that role. Much has been written about her appearance in the film so I’ll spear you that part. However I need to mention that the Blairs were fantastic as well. It was very interesting how you start noticing that your feelings towards everybody shifts throughout the movie. In the beginning you think you have it all figured out but then you have second thoughts. Just in real life I guess…
One thing I would recommend is the movie double bill which is offered on a regular basis at the Riverside Studios. They show two movies somehow related to each other (theme, director, etc.) on one evening. I am a bit of a movie addict so that’s just my kind of thing! Unfortunately I haven’t found the time yet to try it out. The seats in the theatre are definitely comfortable enough!
They are also currently featuring a Festival of Central and Eastern European Arts!
Riverside Studios
Crisp Road
London W6 9RL
OPENING TIMES
Building: Mon-Fri 08.30-23.00, Sat 12.00-23.00, Sun 12.00-22.30
Café Bar: Mon-Fri 10.00-23.00, Sat 12.30-23.00, Sun 12.30-22.30
Espresso Bar: Mon-Fri 08.30-14.30
Box Office: Daily 12.00-21.00
Look it up on the map
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Posted by Katrin on October 19th, 2006 — Posted in Art, Bars
Well, the Tate Modern is certainly not something nobody else knows about. However there is something new about it which I discovered when I went there just a few days ago.
They have built some huge slides inside the building where you can choose from different heights, depending on how adventurous you are. Quite amazing if you ask me! And a really good idea as no other museum has an attraction like this I would imagine. They are created by Carsten Höller. Tickets for the slides are for free, timed and available on that day. They will remain there until the 9th of April, 2007.
But even if you don’t dare sliding down there, the Tate Modern is always worth a visit! It is for free except special exhibitions and that means you can always come back. Which you might want to because the collection is quite big and very diverse as well. It was my second time there and it certainly wasn’t my last!
Once you’re there take your time and have a Glass of Wine or Coffee at the Bar on the top of the building. Great view!
You can also try the restaurant but I like to just sit at the bar along the window. A very stylish way to start or end an evening…
Tate Modern
Bankside
London SE1 9TG
020 7887 8888
Sunday – Thursday, 10.00–18.00
Friday and Saturday, 10.00–22.00
Last admission into exhibitions 17.15 (Friday and Saturday 21.15)
Look it up on the map
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