Which one do we start with?
The meeting point between six streets of the ** La Latina ** neighborhood, a charming terrace that is located on one of the most photographed staircases in the Madrid of the Austrias and a local... What it hides Angelica Coffee cannot be defined with a couple of words. So, Why don't we go in and find out?
As soon as you set foot in the establishment, a special calm invades you. Like when you go back to your summer house or, if we get a little romantic, like when you have a crush and think “it seems that I have known you all my life”. That is, what you feel is love at first sight.
The dazzle is such that you even begin to question if you are really there or if teleportation exists and you find yourself in an old Vienna cafe. But although its origins seem Austrian, the owners of this restaurant, belonging to the Deluz & Cía group, are from Cantabria : Lucía and Carlos Zamora, founders of a company with a clear social purpose.
“ We are a social enterprise. It is bought directly from the rancher, the fisherman, the farmer... with whom a fair price is agreed. In all the premises an ecological product is used and as fresh as possible . Milk, for example, comes directly from Cantabria in the morning," he says. Luis García Moreno, in charge of Café Angélica La Latina, to Traveler.es
The terrace of Café Angelica
DRINK AND TASTE WITH CALM
the coffee roaster is in the local street Saint Bernard , where we can find wild spices from all over the world, teas and natural infusions and organic coffees from small producers in Africa and America.
It was having so much success that it was decided to open another one in La Latina. But this time with a larger space, an expanded menu and an attractive terrace. “Here we offer the same coffee, but we are brothers” , Luis García Moreno points out to Traveler.es.
It is evident that the protagonist here is the coffee, coming from small cooperatives and family farms in ** Brazil , Colombia , Tanzania , Ethiopia, Rwanda, Honduras , Guatemala and El Salvador .** Once in Spanish lands, it is carefully roasted in a German Probat, “the Rolls Royce of coffee machines”.
“ The coffee varies according to the week , and there are times that we have blend seasons (mixture of various kinds of coffee) . And of course we have the cold brew or cold brewed coffee and with the teas that are in the local of San Bernardo”, comments Luis García Moreno to Traveler.es.
The coffee perdition is in La Latina
Alone, ristretto, cut, American, with fresh milk from Cantabria, cappuccino, Swiss, mocha, Viennese, Punta del Este (with dulce de leche and whipped cream) , damn (orujo, rum or brandy), irish, scottish or iced coffee are some of the varieties with which you can savor a delicious dose of caffeine.
And for those hot summer afternoons in Madrid, after a walk under a blazing sun, what better than a refreshing lemonade or a lemon granita from the Cantabrian town of Novales.
All the drinks are a delight. From the Angelica vermouth, macerated with various spices and with a cinnamon, lemon and orange tea ; until the classic and signature cocktails , especially the fuck me up Rick Bradsell, bartender at the legendary London Pharmacy; going through the barrel wine, a growing trend in England and ** United States **, since reduces environmental impact which causes the generation of bottling waste.
You can't leave without trying 'Fuck Me Up'
21st CENTURY DEALS
The paradise of all avocado lovers is located under the roof of Café Angelica. The traineras, a fishing boat typical of the Cantabrian coast, have been the source of inspiration for one of its most peculiar dishes: the Avocado Trainers . go figure a sandwich in which the breads are the halves of an avocado and the filling of your choice: wild Alaskan salmon, quinoa, roast beef or organic chicken... Perfection!
Blessed trainers!
Another healthy and delicious option is one of their mixed bowls , among those who triumph ultra tranquilizer (organic roast beef from Siete Valles de Montaña, avocado from Málaga, fair trade basmati rice, tomato from Huesca, live organic lettuce from El Cantábrico and strawberries), the super resetter (organic chicken breast from Sanchonar, brown rice from Albufera, avocado, tomato and green asparagus) and the Anti Corruption and Anti Oxidant (wild Alaskan salmon, basmati rice, avocado and Huesca tomato) .
Here is one of their mixed bowls or "21st century dishes"
Each of these "21st century dishes" is seasoned with a special oil that they macerate with different spices . The base of all is olive oil, and for example, the John of the Thing It is made with chili, cumin, marjoram, turmeric, galangal, sweet and hot paprika, coriander, zest and drops of lime, apricot seeds, linseed oil, nori seaweed, fleur de sel and rice vinegar.
Toast with avocado, tomato or salmon , accompanied by a good coffee or infusion for breakfast; at aperitif time you can have some artichokes, some white asparagus, some mussels or Iberian sausages ; organic rye bread or brioche sandwiches for lunch or dinner; and the icing on the cake (never better said), homemade cakes and artisan ice cream of pasiego cornet. Any time of day is good to come here.
“ Many of the desserts do not appear on the menu, such as the gluten-free chocolate cake, which is our star sweet. also succeed the carrot cake and the banana cheesecake. We have fixed cakes but during the week we are creating new options, as well as baking cookies for breakfast”, tells Luis García Moreno to Traveler.es.
A COFFEE WITH HISTORY
Not only do they bet on top quality and organic food, but they are also part of solidarity projects. Like choose historic places in the city to set up their businesses, maintaining the essence and charm of the originals.
Have you ever heard of Coffee of the Nuncio ? Baptized with the name of the crossing in which it was located, this famous cafe was one of the most iconic in the capital , despite not being as old as believed. The new Café Angélica has been born within its walls.
“This place was supposed to be a 19th century café. The architect came to see how it was going to be restored and it turned out to be an imitation that was made in the 80s . It was not an original. Everyone assumed it was from the 19th century. It was given a new air, but maintaining the essence it had”, explains Luis García Moreno, manager of Café Angélica La Latina.
Have breakfast under an impressionist painting by Pavil
An Italian mirror from the 1920s, a painting by the Impressionist painter Elie Anatole Pavil or the wicker chairs by Miguel Milá are some of the elements that give that special and authentic touch to the decoration.
“ The Impressionist Avocado It is a dish inspired by that artistic movement. It consists of an avocado cut on a very beautiful paper, designed by Café Angélica, and you are in charge of painting it, choosing the ingredients that compose it ”, explains Luis García Moreno to Traveler.es.
The Impressionist Avocado
The idea was that this place was conceived as the artists' cafe , which is why it hosts numerous creative activities. “ The four Sundays of this month of July there are events: a painting exhibition, a DJ, a performance, a concert... And during those appointments, apart from the menu dishes, there will be vegetarian curry and beef mafe, a recipe of African origin which consists of veal with peanut sauce and whose garnish will be basmati rice”, reveals Luis García Moreno.
"The products are on the bar and you can get up, pour your water, come to order, see what we have that day... as if you were at home . At Café Angélica you can find all kinds of people: ladies who come to drink their Irish coffee, artists who sit down to work on their computers, families with children on Sundays… Ah! Y some filming and photo sessions have also been done ”, concludes Luis García Moreno.
Address: Calle de Segovia, 9 See map
Telephone: 914 38 41 31
Schedule: From 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. on weekdays. Friday and Saturday until 2.30 am. On Sunday it closes at 00.00 h.