El Tártaro

At the end of a harder day at work, we just wanted a stiff drink in a classy joint.  One of our co-workers recommended a place on Velazquez with a big mirror.  We ended up at El Tártaro, which turned out to be the wrong place, but is still a lovely find.  We hung out in the bar for a couple of hours, happily chatting and munching on great food.




The first sign that something is cool about a bar (aside from the bike) is when professional-looking photographers are taking pictures of every piece of decor.  And this place is just cool, from the walls decorated with (yes) a huge mirror and cool groupings of photos, to modernist chairs and a Chesterfield (leather button) couch.  Very chill.  No wonder their website notes that the space was designed by a Spanish design firm.  For more pictures, click here.



The waiter was great.  He didn't accept our "vino tinto" request without a discussion about which vino tinto would be right.  He made the decision for us and while we don't actually know what we got, it was still excellent.  The tapas were very large and filling.  As is often the case, two drinks and a half racion was more than an adequate dinner.  We had huevo estrallado con jamón ibérico at the recommendation of the waiter.  We'd seen this often on other menus, but he suggested it.  Terrific. It inspired us to try our own version at home a few days later.  At our waiter's suggestion, we also tried the medallón de foie sobre chalotas confitadas en Pedro Ximénez, which was also something we probably wouldn't have tried on our own.  At least one of us isn't really a foie kind of guy, but it was quite good.  We're pretty sure that we won't be trying this one at home.

The bill exceeded the typical 4 euros one might spend at other places, but we'd return again with friends for cocktails and dinner. The restaurant looks just as cool as the bar, so it's on our list.  Maybe it should be on yours as well.

El Tártaro
Velázquez 102
91 154 22 33
www.eltartaro.es