M.M.D.D.M.M.

It’s Getting Hot in Here, So Take off...

Lunch overlooking the park was this week’s theme as we headed over to “Parque del Oeste” in our never ending search for best luncheonette. This week joined by my comrades in arms, to take up this solemn task, we met at “Metro Arguelles” and headed down to “CYATHUS Gastro Bar” on “Calle Pintor Rosales” number 30.

Now normally, in our experience, anywhere that self-tittles itself as a gastro bar should be taken with caution as normally its more style than substance! However, we couldn´t ignore the hoards flocking to this little local as we´d passed it before so it was time to give them a go on our gastronomic wheel of fortune.

We took our seats indoors and perused our options. The choice was ample and we could choose between 5 starters from the normal “Menu del Día” or you could build your own salad with 8 ingredients and (regardless of your starter choice) you could choose between 4 mains. HAVE IT YOUR WAY! There was an extra €1 fee for the salad but it was all reasonably priced for portion and quality at a respectable €12 or €13 with a drink and coffee or cake included.

Just to recap the Menu - “Entrantes” consisted of “salmorejo con sus taquitos de jamon y huevo”, “quiche de puerros y bacón”, “melón con jamón” or “ensalada templada de queso de cabra y cebolla caramelizada”. For mains; “secreto ibérico con reducción de PX”, “salmón al horno con sus verduritas”, “merluza a la gallega con sus cachelos” or “huevos rotos con ajo arriero”.

Straight to the point - Food quality was awesome as everyone was happy with their starters. As for our mains, anyone who was lucky to try the salmon was in for a treat, cooked to perfection! The “secreto” was a bit tough and difficult to chew but the flavour was nice and the rest were happy enough with their food.

Service was a little shabby and lacking a smile. It´s a simple touch that makes the world around you better, especially your customers! There were times we were left wanting, it was just about sufficient. The interior décor was strange, it felt like we were in an airport cafeteria which is odd considering the level they are looking for here but by the by it didn’t reflect too much in our overall opinion and when “scores on the doors” was called, our panel of experts came away with a 4 out of 5. The food really was very good and I would recommend you give it a try, hopefully you´ll have better luck with staff.

Heading off, we headed over to a tree lined terrace by “Conde Duque” where the “tintos” are cheap and plentiful while we discussed and solved all of the world’s problems in one afternoon.

Next week we´ll be heading back up north of Bilbao to a gem of a terrace that we stumbled across last week. This looks really promising!!! YOU my friends are invited. Invitation will be posted forthwith. Until then however kids its chow for now!

Written by: Marc Kildea