Madrid Eating: La Terraza del Casino de Madrid

We’ve made it pretty clear that we love good food. However, other than our love of great dining experiences, I remember one night (a few years ago) when we were lazing on the couch wondering where to go for a trip, we toyed wit the idea that it should be a city that was home to Michelin-starred restaurants. Since then, like a recreational drug we were hooked… (in a good way of course). The desire for dining in some of the top restaurants in the world began and we’ve never looked backed ! Hahaaa …

Some people say I get too judgmental when it comes to fine restaurants in Singapore. But if you have traveled for dining as much as we have, then you would truly understand. Someone recently asked, “How can you compare it to the places you’ve been to? Your visits include the best top few in the world”. But if we never compare ourselves to the best in the world how can we ever improve? I feel that we already lose out a lot with our mindset of dining. That is why I’m really against the thought of Singapore starting its own guide, rope in a few other countries and say it’s a guide to “Asia’s Best” ??? How absurd and insulting. Being able to lie to yourself is so much more depressing than to lie to anyone else.

So it comes as no surprise that every time we travel, we like to plan our trips around cities that have their very own national Michelin Guide book.   In Madrid, there is no better dining experience than the 2 Michelin-starred La Terreza del Casino de Madrid from Ferran Adria and Paco Roncero. (By the way, the word Casino here actually means a small house, not the “gambling den” that one first thinks of).

La Terreza del Casino de Madrid earned their well deserved 2nd Michelin Star in the most recent guide that was released. READ HERE FOR MORE INFO. La Terreza del Casino de Madrid is under the leading hotel group in Spain the nh hoteles and it is co-owned by Ferran himself who still oversees the restaurant every now and then. However the stars of this establishment are the magnificent people there. The service was superbly efficient and honest. They were so friendly and hospitable that every once in a while you could not help to think that you were having dinner at a friend’s. La Terreza del Casino de Madrid is up there with the few best dining experiences we’ve ever had. The timing of the food service was immaculate as were the dishes. The true soul of an establishment is made up of the people. And they are all headed by Paco himself. My good friend Adam was head of the creative team there for a few years and it was wonderful to have sampled some of his dishes during our meal (not to mention squeezing us into the reservation books. Thank mate!)

As usual, I will walk you through the meal in its order.

MENÚ DEGUSTACIÓN
Jefe de Cocina: Paco Roncero
*****

WELCOME COCKTAIL

Fresh, Sweet and a great way to begin a meal.

*****
SNACKS

ElBulli classic

 

ElBulli classic

 

This was really fantastic! Think crispy and salty that “pops” with every bite!

*****
TAPIPLATOS

A true winner, well cooked, well balanced. Who says no thought is put into every dish.

Lemon & Cava – Nitro

*****
DESSERTS

Cinnamon, Orange & Roses

 

Spiced Chocolate with Chocolate & Passion Crumbs

 

Bernie’s Birthday Surprise

*****
MORPHINGS

 

It is because of meals like these that we yearn for restaurants in Singapore to be able to match up in terms of service and quality of dishes. Long way to go but still on the way. Fine restaurant dining is still relatively “young” here compared to countries in Europe, I’m seriously confident and hopeful that we’ll be able to catch up. I think the main difference here is, we are too concerned about being in top 50 lists, getting into the “good books” of people who dreamily consider themselves “major industry players” and the usual culprits who think compromising quality and reputation for bigger GPs is justifiable.  And until the day the mindset is more focused on giving every single customer the ultimate dining experience, the restaurant scene in Singapore will always remain “young”. Hey, the truth always hurts.

Well I hope you understand and enjoyed this post.

Happy Fooding!!