Madrid is fast becoming one of the
world’s coolest cities. Jill Sara returns from a recent visit with news on the
hippest places to shop, dine and stay.
Fall in love with Madrid all over
again. This alluring, seductive and flamboyant city has been
described by Lonely Planet as “a rebellious ex-convent schoolgirl
who grew up, got sophisticated but never forgot how to have a good
time.” Come have a great time with her in the myriad of trendy
shops, restaurants, clubs and bars that bubble with imagination and
creativity, and whose free spiritedness and passion will cast a
spell on you. Here’s more than a peek at what to do in the 21st
century capital of the Kingdom of Spain.
Boutiques
Alma Aguilar
Jorge Juan 12, Salamanca; +34-91-5776-698.
One of the more influential names in the fashion world, Spanish
designer Alma Aguilar has always epitomized fashion. With brilliant
and creative parents—her father was a jazz artist and her mum, a
painter—it is no surprise that she’s now a much sought-after
designer. In 1999, Aguilar opened her namesake boutique, and later
her atelier, at Jorge Juan Alley in the Salamanca district of
Madrid. The décor is very feminine, glowing with a soft pink hue.
Comfortable chaise squares in the middle of the compact dressing
room are perfect for lounging and sipping champagne all afternoon
while trying on whatever you like from the racks.
CH Carolina Herrera
16 Calle De Serrano, Salamanca; +34-91-7814-380.
It was only the most natural thing to do—open a “home concept”
boutique in Madrid’s gilded shopping district, Salamanca. The
double-story wood interior is decked with CH monogramed bags in a
dozen colors, the latest collection of dresses and wearable
separates, and a custom-made horse saddle in the girly section. The
lower floor is a treasure trove for men. Equipped with a pool
table, champagne bar and rows of impeccably tailored shirts and
pants, it is simply unfathomable that any respectable hot-blooded
male could walk out of here empty-handed.
Stradivarius
C.C. Principe Pio, Paso de la Florida;
+34-91-5420-728.
From the same style-makers who gave us Zara, Pull & Bear and
Massimo Dutti, is homegrown label Stradivarius. Since 1994, the
youthful charisma of the Spanish brand has grown from strength to
strength with outposts in over 30 countries including Oman, Poland,
Saudi Arabia, Ireland and Jordan. Seasonal items are tagged at
€39.95 for a trench coat, €79.95 for an everyday leather jacket,
calf-length and knee-high boots from €49.95-79.95, handbags from
€19.95 and accessories at less than €15. Clearly, the price for
looking good comes very affordable these days.
H&M
Calle Goya 81, Salamanca; +34-90-1120-084.
Always fashion-forward and dabbling in the creative virtuoso of
celebrated British designer Matthew Williamson, H&M presents
the fashion genius’ capsule collection for Summer 2009. Key details
to look out for this season are modern, Brit high-street and
colorful prints. Not all 1,200 square-feet is dedicated to this one
designer though; there are men’s and kids’ sections, an accessories
trove and shelves of accoutrements for ample variety.
Restaurants
Arola Madrid Restaurant
National Museum Reina Sof’a, Calle Argumosa 42;
+34-91-4670-202.
Opened in 2005 at a cool €1 million, Arola Madrid Restaurant at
Sofia Reina Museum exudes sexy overtones of scarlet red in its
ceiling and illuminated walls made of zinc and concrete. The
150-seater is packed during lunch and brunch by hungry diners who
come here for the modern creations of Sergi Arola, who also happens
to be one of the more successful protégés of Ferran Adria of El
Bulli fame and who was recently in Singapore to cook at the World
Gourmet Summit.
Opened in 2006, this restaurant
has since been dishing up award-winning Chef Alberto Chicote’s
Spanish food cooked traditional-style over a charcoal fire, such as
his fideuá (noodle paella) and Andalusian tuna. Tasty fusion treats
like curry-flavored chicken wings and herbed sushi-grade fish are
also served at this Salamanca joint where the fashion-savvy and
corporate types congregate for meals.
Tapas Bars
La Cruzada
Calle de la Amnist’a 8; +34-91-5480-131.
Claimed to be the oldest tapas bar in Madrid, La Cruzada is known
far and wide for its generous selection of fine wines and visually
stimulating tapas. Croquettas, or small, fried and breaded potato
pancakes, are the must-order here. And it’s very friendly and
laidback. Feel free to sit at the bar and talk for hours with
strangers, a skinny ciggie in one hand and a swirling wine glass in
the other.
Según Emma
Conde de Miranda 4; +34-91-5590-897.
Once the clock strikes nine in the evening, a buzzing social crowd
gets underway in Según Emma. This rustic, woody outfit holds
captive to individuals in their mid 20s to older folks in their
50s. Besides Spanish wine, which is usually a few Euros a glass and
accompanied by complimentary tapas, the salmorejo wins over the
locals. This tomato-puree soup is flavored with garlic, vinegar and
olive oil and is served chilled, with bread. Not to be mistaken for
gazpacho, this soup the color of a sunset also contains Serrano ham
and hard-boiled eggs. After slurping up a coveted bowl, soak in the
infectious atmosphere which goes on late into the
evening.
Casa Lucas
Calle Cava Baja 30; +34-91-3650-804.
This is a place where you can probably find very cute boys behind
the bar. And more than that—there’s tapas, pinchos (or pintxos) and
raciones prepared in the kitchen. Pinchos, meaning “spike” in
Spanish, are presented with a toothpick, while raciones on the
other hand is generally double or triple the size of tapas.
Acknowledging that one size does not fit all, Casa Lucas displays a
menu written daily on a chalkboard, with items starting from
€5.
Museo del Jamón
Carrere de San Jeronimo 6; +34-91-5210-346.
The reason why tapas-crawling Madrileños love this place is because
its extensive menu is value-for-money. With legs of preserved pork
legs dangling from the ceiling, one may be enticed to sink one’s
teeth into bocadillos, which are six-inch long baguettes stuffed
with Spanish sausages and tomatoes. The full menu can go on for
quite a bit, and the serving portions range from hand-held to whole
platters of paella or jamón.
How to get there:
Singapore Airlines flies to Barcelona daily for about S$1,800
return, from where there are many air, road and rail links to
Madrid. Alternatively, you can fly Air France or KLM Royal Dutch
Airlines to Madrid, via Paris and Amsterdam, respectively, for
about the same price.
Where to stay: De Las Letras
Hotel, Gran V’a 11;
+34-91-5237-980; www.hoteldelasletras.com.
Hotel De La Letras is a decadent boutique hotel with a literary
profile. Lines of literature are imprinted on bedroom walls, and
the rest of the well-preserved building is eclectically decorated
in a rich, southern European style. Oh-so-close to the shopping
pulse of Gran Via and just a hop, skip and jump to Stradivarius,
Mango, Zara and a whole lot more fashionable high-street shops.
Online reservations are recommended as room rates can go as low as
€180 per night for basic room.
Currency: Euros. 1€ = S$2.
For more information visit www.spain.info.