Still, just because these aren´t my celebrations doesn´t mean I’m not celebrating. Good food, mathematical improbabilities and 72 distinct moon movements are cause enough. I can claim the moon anyway can´t I at least? We were on it once. Is the Pope secular?
The week was busy though so come Saturday I was playing catch-up. Catch-up on the celebrations and as it turned out, the dinner reservations too. Madrid constantly amazes me: however many restaurants there are (infinite), they are ALL STILL FULL ON A SATURDAY NIGHT. WHAT’S THAT ABOUT. TIME TO OPEN A RESTAURANT…
Luckily though we got off the wait list at Farah, the Palestinian place down in La Latina and everything was well with the world (my moons…). It’s my year (of the horse), I can feel it. I was pleased because I´ve been to Farah before and Farah has these amazing sexy dark crimson walls. Also I know Heba a bit and that´s quite flexy.
Asides from being the Saturday of this incredibly rare, incredibly spiritually charged week, it was also a date. With whom? a) mind your own business. b) I´ll tell you. Not because you asked but because I´ve mandated (to myself) that I need to write more honestly because honesty is a currency. I asked out Ju (fake name, sorry) after she texted me about a hospitality expo. How´s that for being born under a lucky star… Of all weeks, Ferriss would´ve taken a day off on this.
Because Ju might read this, especially after I send it to her. She took the photos too which is why they´re nice. So thanks Ju, I lov- WOH THERE. Nope. Ju’s gorgeous and passionate and we had a lovely time. But a spark? Tbc.
Last summer Farah had a small spot on Carrera de San Francisco next to Pastora and down towards the Basilica, just a bit down from its new spot right off Plaza De Los Carros in La Latina. Talk about a location. Has to be one of the best corners in Madrid. Comment others.
I arrived at eight on my bike feeling good. The sun has just started up again in Madrid and the first balmy, dreamy nights collectivise the city. There cannot have been a spare terrace seat in all of Madrid. Ju arrived just after and we went in.
Being a late res we had the first bar pair right by the door. They’re probably technically the worst seats but actually I can do a bar stool; you guarantee fast service, you might accidentally touch a leg and there´s always the possibility of falling off. The risk makes my eyes sparkle.
The rest of the restaurant is pretty. The tables are really interesting, the views gorgeous and the atmosphere was dark and electric. What I didn´t love though were the beer glasses. Ju´s wine glass was cool but my caña was too tall. I need a small, shallow caña me. Couldn´t tell you why, I just like it. Still, the beer was good and the smoked olives made me feel better.
After a few minutes we ordered, Ju happy to go with what I reckoned was unmissable or needed trying. I have to say that structurally, I loved this menu. There was a fantastic balance between mezze, smaller mains and larger mains such that one can orchestrate the night all which ways. Last time we went with three mezze and two mains, this time one mezze at the same time as a smaller main, then a larger main. Structurally sound and that´s underrated.
We started with the baba ganoush with pomegranate (8€). I LOVE baba ganoush, although this one was not quite as good as I’d remembered it. The pieces were a tiny bit too big and even a tiny bit weak on taste. It wasn´t as smoky as I wanted it to be but still good and aren´t pomegranates a cool fruit? Then vieiras (scallops, 22€) with butter, lemon, garlic and parsley which were incredible. The plate was extremely hot so we potentially let them cool down a little bit too much but that´s my fault. The sauce was so rich and garlicky and buttery and the scallops were firm and tender. We mopped up all the extra sauce with the bread until it became alive.
Then our plates were changed, we refuelled with another glass each, chatted about hopes and dreams and lov- Nope. But we did chat about the lubina (€45) which is a full, white bodied seabass. It came split open and draped in a white marbled tahini/mustard/butter sauce and a mix of small green beans and capers. I wondered if it was very slightly overcooked but Ju felt like it was cooked perfectly. Take Ju’s word for it because she has a billion restaurants saved on Google Maps and knows way more than me. In any case, it was really good. The sauce was somehow light and rich, entirely plentiful and quite interesting. Hints of lemon? I think it´s a secret.
And that was about it. Other things: the three pairs on the corner around from us all started interacting which is just great isn´t it. Were the guys a couple? Were the girls looking at us? What were they talking about? And of course, pistachio ice cream and rose petals (€8) to finish with two spoons. Perfectly sweet, perfectly sized. Then down the road to FunFun for a wine and that´s a wonderful beginning to this week’s three beginnings (I look up, my lucky star…).
- Food: 8.1/10
- Room: 9/10
- Specialness of the week: 10/10
Written by Barnaby Shand
Founder of Barny´s Bar