LA MANDUCA DE AZAGRA
| Address | Sagasta 14E; 28004 Madrid by Mejia Lequerica |
|---|---|
| Neighbourhood | Malasaña, Chamberí | See on map |
| Metro | Bilbao [M1, M4], Alonso Martinez [M4, M5, M10] |
| Telephone | +34 91 591 0112 |
| Website | http://www.lamanducadeazagra.com/ |
| Price | EUR 50-70 |
| Hours | Mon-Sat 13:30-17:30, 21:15-01 (kitchen closes two hours earlier). Closed in August. |
Hear the words ‘family’, ‘rustic’ and ‘home-grown’ and you immediately think finca food; wholesome but oftentimes unrefined. In its minimalist, light contemporary space, La Manduca de Azagra is ready to put a good end to this bad rep.
Designed by award-winning Navarran architect Patxi Mangado, the restaurant quite literally brings the best of this region, famous for its wines but rather unsung in culinary terms, to the table. Navarra is where most of Spain’s veggies are grown, and the owner’s family sends in fresh bundles on a daily basis – sometimes adding a few dishes prepared by Mama in the traditional way.
That’s the case with the pimientos rojos de Cristal asados, the house specialty grilled red peppers, but the menu is otherwise fresh and simple. Wood-grilled seasonal vegetables are served with various meats (oxtail with wild mushrooms) and fish (the sea bass is a hit), with a wine list plucked from the region’s excellent vineyards.
Crowd-wise, the place is peppered with personalities from the worlds of media and politics who like the generously spaced-out tables, and rarely a tourist in sight. They just don’t grow them in the sticks.
