Txirimiri, Basque Cuisine in Madrid

The previous time I was in Madrid I discovered an amazing tapas bar in La Latina named Juana La Loca, this time I remembered that my friend Patricia told me that she prefers another similar place nearby the area. Txirimiri is a basque cuisine restaurant based on pintxos (small snack). The idea apparently came nine years ago due to the economic crisis in Madrid, so restaurants were experiencing a lack of afluence, but for the people of Madrid is not problem to pay for a beer and a pintxo.

"The Blackboard Menu"

The Bar

The place is small, usually packed, and no reservation policy, so we went before 8, sit in the bar waiting for a table, and we started to try everything that caught or eye. Starting with a sort of cheddar cheese rolls, a boletus, truffles and ham croquettes, mushrooms filled with foie, a caramelized onion tortilla, battered goat cheese, a risotto with prawns and boletus, Carrillera de Ternera (veal), but the best was the loin with peppers and potatoes.

The Caramelized Onions Tortilla

Battered Goat Cheese

Caramelized Onions Tortilla

Mushrooms with Foie

Cheddar Rolls

Croquettes

The best of the night The Loin

Prawn and Mushroom Risotto

Veal

Excellent place to have and try different things witout feeling guilty, I love the concept of eating so many different combinations due to the small portions of the pintxos. Definitely a must if you’re in the Spanish capital, but if you want a excellent roast suckiling pig go to Juana La Loca.

This pintxos style of food reminds me the Seinfeld episode “The Implant” where George doubles dip.

Timmy: What are you doing?

George: What?

Timmy: Did...did you just double-dip that chip?

George: Excuse me?

Timmy: You double-dipped the chip!

George: "Double-dipped"? What are you talking about?

Timmy: You dipped the chip. You took a bite. And you dipped again.

George: So...?

Timmy: That's like putting your whole mouth right in the dip! From now on, when you take a chip - just take one dip and end it!

George: Well, I'm sorry, Timmy...but I don't dip that way.

Timmy: Oh, you don't, huh?

George: No. You dip the way you want to dip...I'll dip the way I want to dip.

Timmy: Gimme the chip! Gimme the chip!