SANTCELONI

If Santi Santimaria’s cellar dining-domain isn’t already devoid of cell-phone reception, you’ll be asked to turn yours off at the door – because this is the kind of place where eating is much more than an afterthought. Two Michelin stars and a prestigious hotel location has ensured Santceloni a highly sophisticated clientele who expect nothing less than spotless service and pristine surroundings. Think properly dressed wooden tables, polished sideboards and silverware, and large skylights. The cuisine can loosely be categorised as Mediterranean, but as the dishes are coming from the brain of one of Spain’s culinary triumvirate (alongside Juan Mari Arzak and Ferran Adrià) and the hand of superb head chef Oscar Velasco, there’s a good dollop of imagination thrown in, too. The seafood is particularly recommended, which – in spite of Madrid’s landlocked location – arrives fresh from Spain’s ports each morning.