Greta, the new neoclassical tavern in Malasaña
At a time when it seems that all the **mythical bars in Madrid** are succumbing to the passing of time, we come across Greta , a tavern that wants to rescue the authentic Madrid that we carry inside (and outside).
Every time we see with less surprise that it opens in Madrid a bar with a pure soul . Because yes, because it will never stop being a trend to recover what we have always liked, what our parents or even grandparents have told us about the taverns of Madrid and its gastronomic airs.
And if we also give it a cool touch with a good dose of honesty, the result can be something similar to a new neo-Castilian tavern that wakes up in Malasaña: Greta.
Entrance of Greta, the new tavern in Malasaña
Greta opens her eyes to the bustle of the Dos de Mayo Square , in the heart of the most hipster Malasaña, between bustling streets, art galleries and bookstores. Malasana, the neighborhood that never sleeps and that shouts diversity from balconies of red geraniums and rainbow flags.
Greta appears in a dress of yesteryear and an apron, like a good castiza but from Madrid now and with the name of a vaudeville actress. She already discovers from the door the magic formula: "Meal House" . How could she refuse to enter her?
As in many other cases, Greta is the result of three friends who get together to set up a restaurant: Felix, Kike and Miguel.
It is Miguel who accompanies us at the table, a passionate restaurant scriptwriter who tells us how the name of the restaurant is due to the dog of one of them.
Together with them three works Javier Gutierrez , a Canarian chef who has been in charge of modeling and remodeling a menu that smells and tastes like Madrid on all four sides. "We wanted to do something modern but fully touching the traditional background that the neighborhood of Malasaña has . Among so many fast food restaurants that have appeared, we have opted for the stew and the rations of a lifetime ", he tells us.
In addition, they have dared with the premises that previously occupied the Meridian 100 , that noisy Mexican that we all remember for his arepas and his aubergines. And we say that 'they have dared' because that place has already seen a few guests parade with more or less luck.
Cow marrow with traditional steak tartare
But Greta has come to stay, with a bar where you can enjoy a few beers in a after-work and a restaurant that she has known how to mix that certain old aroma that accompanies all Malasañero premises. Of course, with the typical marble table tops that they give you the notice that we are in caní territory , embraced by a whole collection of photographs, the work of Kike who, in addition to being a partner and founder, is also a photographer.
The plan to enjoy Greta is undoubtedly that of those who go hungry and eager to share . Because the restaurant's menu is not ambitious, nor does it pretend to be. Rather, they have chosen the honesty of traditional dishes, of those that work at any time of the day and that have never been lacking in the bars of eternal Madrid.
Attention, because the cocido cannot be missing in a menu so from Madrid (Greta)
WHAT TO ASK FOR IN GRETA
risk with a salad of the usual which they have decided to accompany with a fried egg, whitebait and the spark of the pickle . Also on the menu you can find a grilled foie brioche for the finest or a torreznos sandwich for the most "pure".
Sharing can sometimes be difficult when you have in front of you creamy ham croquettes or of baby squid in their ink , which know how to crunch without going overboard with their Japanese panko-based batter.
Another dish that cannot be missing from that table of exquisite egoists is the stewed Iberian pork cheek , with a forceful sauce that forces you to keep dipping bread incessantly.
More than one will have already been sent to be waved with the "permanén" for playing on someone else's plate; with the cheek is not played. The same as with his cachopo, that comes from the hand of a Idiazabal and a poached egg to crown a letter without frills, as mandated by the creed of casticismo.
And since there is no end to the party without candy, it is necessary to spoil the staff that the desserts of the house are homemade , as tradition dictates. Yes, there is no trap or cardboard in the cheesecake ; that there is life beyond those cheesecakes that seem to have to be drunk.
And to pair with, a good digestif , because the posh Madrilenian is to digest calmly and calmly.
Grateful and excited we can say that we have new traditional tavern in Madrid. And you know that we really like things when they are well done.
View of the bar and Greta's room
Address: San Andres, 26 See map
Telephone: 91 189 37 07
Schedule: From Monday to Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 01:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday from 12:30 to 02:30. Sundays from 12:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Half price: 21 euros