La Mamona Aravaca
La Mamona Aravaca – a foodie find on the outskirts of Madrid
TEXT: ANGELO BOCCATO | PHOTOS © LA MAMONA ARAVACA
As any seasoned traveller will know, the best foodie finds are sometimes located off the beaten track: not least in Madrid. Tucked away to the northwest of the city, half an hour by train from the centre of the Spanish capital, lies the affluent Aravaca neighbourhood, home to La Mamona Aravaca – the latest addition to one of the city’s most successful restaurant groups, Grupo Lalala.
Since it opened in the summer of 2017, La Mamona has fast been drawing in fans, from locals and in-the-know visitors alike, thanks to its elegant, airy interior and extensive, quality menu.
The large central space is a contemporary take on the traditional Spanish restaurant/bar, with a long bar, wooden beamed ceiling, traditional style decorative floor tiling and floor-to-ceiling picture windows looking out to a pretty terrace.
Similarly, the menu brings rustic Spanish cooking up to date. There is a mix of classic Spanish tapas such as croquetas de jamon (ham croquettes) or cod tortilla with padron peppers, or the Lalala Group’s own innovative creations, such as ‘las patatas de japo con salsa kimunchi y alga wakame’ – basically fried potatos with Korean kimunchi sauce and seaweed.
Other favourites include Galician razor clams, scallops, mussels and anchovies, fried eggs with octopus as well as Basque-style pinchos – small open sandwiches with toppings such as steak tartare or Spanish tortilla. But it is not only bite-sized tapas and sharing dishes on offer. There are also elegantly presented main dishes like grilled hake with wok-fried vegetables or wild boar with potatoes.
“We wanted to create somewhere relaxing,” says Sara of the Lalala Group. “Somewhere where people can escape from their everyday lives and spend time with friends, colleagues or family. Somewhere to enjoy delicious food in a beautiful space.”
La Mamona Aravaca, Camino de la Zarzuela, 23, 28023 Madrid, Spain
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