La Paloma

Description:

• In the exclusive Barrio Salamanca, this small but comfortable restaurant is the showcase for the culinary talents of chef-owner Segundo Alonso, who made a stellar reputation at the more exclusive El Amparo. Many of his fans followed him here and have since become regulars. His restaurant is in a nostalgic old restored house with high ceilings and wooden beams. His French and Basque dishes are some of the finest of their kind in Madrid. His food is robust; he's known for what is called "variety meats," especially pigs' trotters. Even if you have never sampled this dish before, dare to here -- you may be glad you did. You could settle instead for his equally celebrated wood pigeon stuffed with foie gras. He also does an excellent lasagna with crabmeat, spinach, and leeks, and a fine rabo de toro (bull's tail) stewed in red-wine sauce. The best fish dish is grilled turbot with tomato paste and thyme or sea urchin gratinéed and served with quail eggs. For dessert, try fresh dates with Chantilly cream or a velvety almond mousse with cinnamon ice cream.

• © Frommer's 2013

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Recommended 2009
•  Recommended 2010