Hg2 : The Hedonist

A Hedonist’s guide to…

Madrid

El Barbu
If you're looking for nooks and crannies, this softly lit labyrinthine bar is the perfect place to disappear for an hour or so...
Rayo Vallecano
Founded in 1924 and based in the neighborhood of Vallecas, Rayo play in Segunda Division and host home matches at Estadia Teresa Rivero, which is named after female President Teresa Rivero Sanchez-Romate.
Bravo Bike
The city's oldest and most experienced bike tour company, Bravo Bikes offer cycling tours with a touch of class: they include mini bus support, accommodation in luxury hotels and dining in top restaurants.
Midnight Rose
A thrill for both the eyes and the tastebuds, surprising starters at the Midnight Rose include 'oreo-biscuit' appetisers actually made of black olives and parmesan. Other dishes on the menu include sushi; popular with the fashionista crowd.
Diurno
Painfully trendy and modern, Diurno has a diverse offering ranging from salad and a sandwich to a DVD rental or tub of Ben & Jerry's.
Taberna Maceira
The cheery, bohemian Taberna Maceira is one of the funky tapas bars found along Calle Jesus. True to its Galician theme, the speciality is octopus - and everybody seems to be eating it.
Arquibar
This English-style Café exudes charm and elegance, and is all about the detail. Come here for some 1920s glamour with your coffee.  
El Jardin Secreto
Candle-lit tables and French windows provide a welcome and romantic escape from the busy Gran Via strip. An exotic, ever-changing menu includes the lunch menu inspired by the film 'Like Water for Chocolate'.
Las Carboneras
Las Carboneras is run by three dancers who aim to showcase young, up-and-coming performers, fusing avant-garde style with the best of today's flamenco.
Entre Suspiro Y Suspiro
The menu offers expertly prepared fish dishes such as salted cod (bacalhao) or grouper (mero) as well as seasonal mushroom dishes and spicy tiger prawns. Try the house vuelve a la vida (back to life) which mixes all of the above in chilli sauce.
Botin
Typical Castillian food includes gazpacho, suckling pig and a delicious cream tart made with a sweet biscuit base, egg meringue and pastel cream.
Cafe Central
A must for jazz lovers, Cafe Central is in an area serried with bars, restaurants and other jazz clubs (Cafe Jazz Populart). Stop by for a mix of international and homegrown talent.
The Westin Palace
The Westin Palace is a landmark in Madrid worth seeing even if you aren't lucky enough to stay there, thanks to its ornate lobby and glass atrium. The restaurant, Asia Gallery, serves what is considered some of the finest oriental food in the city.
Casa Lucio
Casa Lucio has garnered a reputation for outstanding Spanish cuisine - even prompting the poet Rabal to pen a ditty about its scrambled eggs! Try the salmorejo (a thick gazpacho with grated ham) followed by a bonito (barely seared, delicate tuna).
Vincci Via 66
Olds meets new in this National heritage building that’s been redesigned in a chic, contemporary style. The rooftop terrace is a must for those seeking to view Madrid in all its sunset splendour. &n
Los Gatos
Join locals and tourists alike working their way along the Calle Jesus' string of tapas bars, enjoying a glass of tinto and a bite to eat in each one. Casual and lively, Los Gatos is one of the most popular - and most interestingly decorated.
Suite Prado
This self-catering hotel offers very bright and large suites with separate white marble bathrooms, lounge area and kitchenette. Each has an independent dining room, sofa beds and large, comfortable armchairs.
Club Hípico
A family company with extensive experience in everything related to horseriding and stabling.
Chi Spa
One of Madrid's chicest spas, Chi opened in 2003 to much acclaim. This small and welcoming spa is in the heart of Salamanca, and, as you can guess from the name, has an Oriental theme.
Atlético de Madrid
Nine-time La Liga winners Los Rojiblancos (The Red And Whites) are fierce rivals of their more illustrious neighbours Real Madrid, with the yearly contest dubbed 'El Derbi madrileno'. Atlético tends to attract the more working-class fan base fro
Isolée
Europa Decó
It doesn't get much more exotic than this: African masks on the walls, totem poles from Papua New Guinea, table mats and plush seats upholstered with Vicuna skin resembling a smooth crocodile texture. Fish is definitely the speciality.
Café Oliver
Cafe Oliver serves straight Italian, Moroccan, French and Spanish dishes without being too experimental and losing simple flavours. Main courses offer juicy entrecote steaks with Sant Marceliny sauce and a selection of wholesome salads.
Gran Hotel Velázquez
This attractive medium-sized family hotel is right in the heart of the Salamanca district, close to many of the city's most exclusive boutiques. Most of the rooms have lounge areas adjoining the bedrooms.
Almódovar Apartment
Couples seeking a romantic getaway to the Spanish capital can find ideal accommodation in the Almódovar Apartment, one of the upscale, short-term rental properties offered on Chic-Rentals.com.
Corral de la Morería
Billed as one of the world's best flamenco shows, Corral de la Moreria features in the New York Times' '1000 places to see before you die.' Choose between dining or just a drink.
Club MUSÉE
Forget what you think you know about city-centre clubbing and turn your nocturnal attentions to Club MUSÉE, arguably the hippest place to open in the Spanish capital of Madrid. Like, ever.
Isolée
This super-stylish multi-tasking space is at once a cafe delicatessen and shop - from cutting edge fashion to CDs and magazines. Plastic at-the-ready!
Café Commercial
As one of Madrid's popular meeting places, Café Comercial is buzzing at all times of day and night.
José Alfredo
This bar is often busy, but the people to be seen make up for that - whether they're the pierced and tattooed yet friendly waiting staff or the occasional Almodóvar starlet...
The Changing Face of Tapas in Madrid
Once upon a time tapas in Madrid just used to consist of patatas bravas and some slices of jamon, but tapas is changing and becoming more modern.
Ananda
A summer hotspot, this super-trendy club is the venue of choice for Madrid's international glitterati who come to take advantage of the beautifully decorated outside terrace.
Cutting-Edge Madrid Design Spaces
TAO
Tao is one of the most exclusive sushi and tepanyaki restaurants in the city and is surrounded by luxury hotels, major banks and smart office blocks on the Paseo de la Castellana. Fortunately, the wine list is also comprehensive.
A Guide to Madrid’s Top Tapas Bars: Fish Throats and Baby Eels
A visit to the Spain's capital must include sampling some of the local culinary delights in Madrid's top tapas bars - from the standard to the outlandish.
Del Diego
The barmen here, always in a blur of activity, look as though they could mix cocktails in their sleep - and this is true despite the fact that the menu includes in excess of fifty choices...
Mumbai Massala
This trendy Indian restaurant makes lighter versions of the classics, and is probably one of the few decent Indian restaurants in Europe outside of the UK. Expect a Bollywood feel and a decent after-dinner bar, all with a resolutely Indian touch.
Montana
Delicious food as beautifully presented as the clientele. Many of the fresh ingredients come from the owners' farm just outside Toledo, and although the cuisine borrows Italian and Oriental influences, ingredients are genuinely Spanish.
Matilda
The most feminine restaurant in Madrid, Matilda is decorated with Robert Garver photos and fresh aromatic flowers on every table. A fusion menu has spicy Cajun sirloin steak (solomillo) and an exquisite coconut shrimp dish.
Acquafredda
Owned by Madrid's principal Italian restaurateur, Ignazi Deias, Acquafredda is a 'multiespacios' which offers the chance for both eat-in, take-away, and plain-and-simple pleasurable browsing. Bookings are a must at dinner.

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