and
'El Jardín Secreto' Calle Conde Duque, 2, Madrid, 28015
For my birthday this year, I was told to be outside the Gran Via Metro at the top of Calle Montera at 3.45pm. I was not told why. Gotta Love Surprises!!
After everyone had arrived they led me down the street to Salvador Bachiller, I was intrigued and confused. Were they buying me a suitcase?! They led me up the many many escalators at the back of the shop and to my shame, it took rather more than it should have done for me to work out where we were going! There is a really pretty terrace at the top that I had been told about a few times, and it was on my bucket list of places to go, but I hadn't quite found time to go yet - so, great choice Denise!
We were taken to our table which was under a gazebo (there are also tables under a convertible roof, for those random downpours Madrid is famous for amoungst us who live there and unbelievable for those that don't) We ordered our drinks which were presented in goblets - it was a nice touch that added to the fairy garden type ambience.
The menu, although not very extensive, is full of fresh and delicious ideas. Perfect for the light lunch we were after. (See the menu here: Salvador Bachiller Jardín Secreto) The majority of our group went for the Smoked Salmon Pasta. Obviously I poached some from a nearby dish, for experimental purposes only of course! It was creamy and full of flavour. Sometimes I find smoked salmon dishes to be too rich or there aren't enough layers to cut the flavour of the fish, but it worked well, I probably could have eaten a whole plate! Instead, I went for a Búfala Mozzarella and Tomato Salad and Danielle went for a Grilled Chicken Flatbread - also tasted, also delicious. All the dishes were presented on quirky crockery and with an 'amuse bouche', if you will, of what I assume was freshly made Gazpacho, along with fresh wholegrain bread. My salad, although simple, was perfect and the basil pesto drizzled on top added a kick of flavour.
Of course, the real reason I went for salad, other than the fact that I had been out for dinner the night before and was still feeling the effects of the wine, was - you have to have cake on your birthday!! I went for the carrot cake and Denise tried the brownie - both, as expected, were yummy! Coffee and milkshakes were also enjoyed.
I cannot comment on the price. As it was my birthday, they paid for me, something I was not expecting and was touched. Thanks you guys!!
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| Good Food, Good Company, Great Birthday! |
It is a lovely setting, a little oasis of calm above the craziness of the infamous Calle Montera below. it is a great place for a lunch date, first date, apéritif in the summer months or just a great place to relax and watch the sunset.
I thought that was it, I was relaxed, we had laughed and enjoyed each others company and to be honest, the small glass of wine that I had had, had gone straight to my legs. But there was more!
They once again led me down Gran Via to Plaza de España and along Calle Princesa and then up a flight of stairs...to a childrens playground. Hey, it might be fun, but...what!! It was only then they told me the plan. Another bar, this one Luke's idea - also called El Jardín Secreto, but it wasn't open for another 30 mins. Fine, we just sat and enjoyed the early June sunshine. (yep, this post has been a while in the making)
The drinks all had funky names which sadly, I should have, and did not, take note of - reason to go and see for yourself! Even better, mine arrived and it was...smoking! Amazing! We all tried each others drinks, ordered more, laughed more and it has to be said, as the alcohol level rose, so did our giggles. In the few hours we were in there the cosy bar had filled up and there was even a queue outside.
Being in the daze I was, (it was the excitement, not the wine, promise!) I didn't take as many photos as I had hoped, so a few weeks later, armed with my camera and my housemate, I returned. We shared a dessert and a soft drink this time.
My housemate, Lucy, also has a blog, see her own entry here (Madrid Adrift - El Jardín Secreto). All photos displayed here are hers. Except the picture of my drink, that one is mine and the group shot - that one belongs to a friend of mine, I have borrowed it, with permission, of course!
So, it was a perfect day. Exactly as birthdays should be - friends, laughing, some good food, good cake, smoking drinks and who doesn't enjoy a tiger painting on the wall as an added bonus.
Go, see them for yourselves!
Whoooh!
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