MADRID

The big day is round the corner now...

We wanted to recommend things to see in Madrid, restaurants and bars, etc..., so that you get to enjoy the city fully.

We thought that a good way to do this would be breaking it down into areas (barrios) of Madrid, they are all central.

MALASAÑA (a nice are to go out for food and drinks, emblematic! ; ))

In calle (street) Manuela Malasaña there are a few nice restaurants:
C/ = stands for "street"

La Isla del Tesoro (C/ Manuela Malasaña, 3 telephone: 91.593.14.40 ) is a restaurant that offers international and vegetarian food. Friendly, healthy and organic. It has air conditioning (important!). Non smoking policy and you might need to book a table. (15-24 euros for a full menu). Metro stop: Bilbao (lines 1 and 4, the blue and brown ones)

La Musa (C/ Manuela Malasaña, 18 91.448.75.58) Metro stop: Bilbao. I love the place!! I think the food is really nice and the rpices are excellent! (full menu -menu del dia- for less than 15 euros). Small place but a cozy one as well. Link to map: http://callejero.lanetro.com/apps/lanetro/mapas.asp?cod_prov=28&idsitio=9948

El Chambao (Calle de Manuela Malasaña, 16 Metro: San Bernardo (Líneas 2 y 4)
Nice place for tapas and drinks.
Map: http://callejero.lanetro.com/apps/lanetro/mapas.asp?cod_prov=28&idsitio=307852

Casa Hortensia (Off calle Fuencarral at calle de la Farmacia, 2 second floor) It is a little hidden but the food is very good I think. It is food from Asturias, i the north of Spain where my family comes from. I think it is worth a try and the search ; ) Map:http://11870.com/frans/tag/calle%20fuencarral/map

SOL: The very cnetre of Madrid, on its square you can step on what is recognised as the Kilometre 0 of Spain. It is quite touristy but it definetely has its charm too.

Malaespina (Tapas bar) C/ Cadiz, 9. Metro: Sol, line 3 -yellow one-) You might need to go a little earlier if you go in the evening, which means 7 or 8 (early for Madrid ; ) I have always loved this place, sangria is strong but good and tapas are allright. Lively music and vibe! Check out the toasts!! (tostas)

Map: http://11870.com/pro/19024

Finca de Susana (Calle Alarban, 4) Very good price and tasty food, excellent place! Tom LOVES this one. We have been there eating many times. You need to go there early because it is quite popular and it gets busy easily, for lunch 1-1.30 would be good and for dinner also an English time (6-7 ish) Highly recommended by us.
Here is tehir website, you can also read it in English. http://www.lafinca-restaurant.com/)
There are other restaurants of the same chain and style around Madrid, you can check them on the website.

In LA CAVA BAJA ( a nice area, right behind La Plaza Major (famous square in Sol) you can go to the end of the square on the right go through the arches and go dwon the steps, walk straight and then cross the road and follow Calle (street) Cava Baja until you get to EMMA Y JULIA (on number 19. This is an Italian restaurant run by the mother of Maia a good friend of us. Her mum, Emma, is super friendly, the food is authentic Italian food (Jammie Oliver would love it. I am sure ; ) and it is very cozy. Bear in mind that it is also very popular and it gets crowded at times.
Here is a link to check address ans stuff out. Highly recommended by us!!!! http://madrid.lanetro.com/guia/sitios/fichasitio.cfm?CodigoSitio=9178&IdTipo=71

Soon we will try to add more recommendations on thigs to visit.
We are very excited about the wedding and for you guys to be coming over and celebrate with us. Please let us know via email, phone or blogg if there is anything that you need or want to know about.


Un abrazo and loads of love,

Tom and Marta

We are going to Miami

¡Que locura! Big changes ahead of us!! Al final, Miami, es la ciudad afortunada en tenernos desde finales de éste verano ; ) Como muchos de vosotros ya sabeis me decidí por aceptar la oferta de la universidad de Miami para hacer ahí el doctorado (en lugar de la de Nueva York en Long Island). Así que nos ambarcaremos en ésta aventura qué nos hace mucha ilusión, aunque también nos intriga ¡¡Como será todo!! Estando ya acostumbrados a los cambios, ya podemos después de éstos años nómadas, ; ) la verdad es que sobre todo estamos muy contentos de hacer ésto juntos y de disfrutar los nuevos desafios que nos presente.

Lo cierto es que la universidad de Miami es una de las mejores en literatura de la diaspora del Caribe anglófono, así que estoy muy contenta y quería compartirlo con vosotros!

Como dice Tom que versa una canción de Will Smith ... We are going to Miami!!

¡Bienvenidos! ... Welcome!

Hi Everyone!
The blog is now up and running and so we´ll try to post all our new wedding stuff. We are gonna put up some links and info on interesting places we like in Madrid. The wedding venue´s website is www.fuentepizarro.com if you fancy a look and buses are now booked leaving Madrid from next to Moncloa Metro Station on Paseo de Moret at 7.00pm. There will be two buses returning to Madrid. The first leaves at 3.00am and there will be another at the end of the night at 5.00am.

¡¡Hola a tod@s!!
El blog ya está más activo. ; ) A través de él intentaremos manteneros a todos informados en relación a la boda. También colgaremos enlaces de interés para los que venis de lejos y para que así podais visitar Madrid sin perderos nada.
Aquí está la página de Fuente Pizarro, con un plano en la sección de contacto, por si quereis echar un vistazo; www.fuentepizarro.com
Como os comentamos en la invitación habrá autobuses para el desplazamiento desde Madrid hasta Fuente Pizarro a las 19.00 hs, y viceversa. Uno a las 3.00 y otro al final de la noche, a las 5.00 ; )

Un abrazo FUERTE a todos,

Tom y Marta