My partner for lunch had left me hanging at the last minute due to an unforeseen event, but even so, I decided to keep my reservation at Barrera restaurant because it seemed like a bad touch to cancel last minute at a small family restaurant. I saw that I was also going to be the only female in the room among executives with a middle-aged tie, a little more middle-aged than mine … But no problem at all!

The menu was sung to me by her owner, Ana Barrera. This fragile lady with a minimalist look moved around the small room with the ease and delicacy of a gazelle. That cozy place could be anyone´s living room.

I decided to order the artichokes as an appetizer. Tasty, although perhaps a bit oily maybe because of their confit preparation. And I chose a baby goat rack as an entrée because they are often difficult to find. Crispy and delicious, “they are like sweet treats,” the owner told me smiling “you can´t stop until you finish”. She added a patatas revolconas bonus. Patatas revolconas are a Castillian typical dish: mashed potatoes with smoked paprika and torreznos. What torreznos look like is explained here.

They had no problem opening a glass of wine for me, even though they don’t have them by the glass. This was a detail that I appreciated. The charming waitress chose a Ribera de Duero Palacio de Villachica wine. Soft but with character. Tempranillo grape, intense cherry color, and ripe fruit flavor. I was no longer hungry to try dessert, but I am sure they homemade gems worth trying. I finished my meal with a delicious coffee, not burnt, as is the unfortunate custom in Spain.

In short, a house with a neighborhood but a five-star menu, half-hidden next to the hustle and bustle of Chamberi, a popular neighborhood situated in the center of Madrid. And a place where you feel invited, not a client. Even the bill comes to you handwritten with care. And one last detail: enjoy the complimentary ensaladilla rusa with fried Marcona almond too. This is one of the best I have found in Madrid.

Price: around 50 euros.