Restaurants in Madrid: Taberna de Matrium in La Latina

Uncategorized — By on June 10, 2008 12:00 am


Restaurant: Taberna de Matrium

Address: Cava Alta, 17
Metro: La Latina
T: 91 365 82 37

If you’ve been spending too much
time in restaurants where the primary colors are yellow and red, then get off
the tourist track! A deeper shade of Spain exists –
quite literally: saffron and burgundy, the colors of El Taberna de Matrium,
strike a more authentic and soulful attitude.

However,
keep in mind that, in an international world, even Spain doesn’t have to be 100%
Spanish. When asked to define his
culturally eclectic menu the owner of Matrium responded in good-natured fashion,
“We don’t worry about labels, we just want to serve people good food.” Can’t argue with that.

As with
many restaurants in the area, this means a cuisine deeply rooted in Spanish
tradition, but not afraid of international experimentation. The local dishes are classic as Rabo de Toro
(bull’s tail: 16 euros) and Croquetas Caseras (home-made croquetas: 10 euros). The foreign dishes are as far flung as Samosa
with Curry and Bonito Tataki (Tataki Tuna: 15:75).

The single-room
dining area has an earthy sophistication with the patrons seated at what look
like elegant picnic tables. Those wine aficionados
out there won’t be disappointed with a wine menu that looks like a small novel –
nearly thirty pages. No better way to discover the real Spain.