Basics
Sadly, El Guachinche has closed.
Per Person
2 beers each, five shared dishes, 1 dessert each; €20
Gratis: ron miel/honey rum chupito/digestive.
In not so many words
Hopes?
That the menu sings like a Canary.
Reality?
A fine sample of simple, authentic-feeling dishes.
First Impressions?
The decor and lighting is rather stark which doesn't welcome you as much as it might.
A USP?
Consistent quality at a great price.
The food in three words?
Value for money.
Can they get the staff?
Rucaden (it's his name!) and co are amiable and things flow consistently.
Service with a smile?
Yep, it's simply genuine and amiable.
Would you take your friends?
Sure. Something for all tastes, I think.
Rating for a dating?
Hmm. Lacks a sense of a place to be, perhaps.
Tip?
Yep, earnt.
If you could change one thing, what would it be?
They'd run out of Gofio mousse. We should have checked.
Going back?
Yep. We want opinions from others.
In Pictures
On Google Images
In not so few words
Let's get it out of the way. Visit El Guachinche. It's Canarian food, so it should help you get your mojo back.
Good. Feel better? Yes, me too.
While it could be cosier (painting everything off-white and leaving lots of undecorated right angles do not a warm atmosphere make), come to El Guachinche with a few friends, spend €20-odd each. You'll not leave hungry, and you'll probably be up for a return visit.
We had four dishes today. For four a double dose of Wrinkly Spuds, which sound far more appealing if you call them Papas Arrugadas, is essential. I could harp on about how to prepare them, but I know what you're thinking. Instead, I'll tell you these are the mamas of all papas. A slightly bitter red mojo and an absolutely first class acidy green one came with them.
The mojos reappear with the terrific roast cheese. Haloumi-like in texture, it's bathed in the sauces, like, I don't know, vegetarian bacon with chilli oil. Or something. Look, just go and try it.
Two chorizos, half a portion each, share the next plate. Soft in texture and in taste. Think slightly more muscular sobresada and you're pretty much there. Fresh, if unremarkable bread was in good supply.
We rounded off with Ropa Vieja. Think stew, not Cuban beef dish. Meat, fried potatoes, a load of perfectly done chickpeas and lots of pepper accompany shredded flank or skirt - although I suppose I might expect goat on the islands. Very filling, and a pleasingly distinctive broth from a limited number of ingredients. One generous plate of this was enough to satisfy four of us, bearing in mind our previous form.
A whole raft of desserts, today. A banana trifley thing had some welcome alcohol in it, but I could have lived without chocolate hundreds 'n' thousands on top. A segment of cheesy Pudding was very good, and the solo tiramisú was better than I'd expected as it was certainly homemade. All good, although they'd sold out of gofio mousse, which means we can't really mention today how deliciously moreish we know it is. So we won't. Rucaden (it's his name!) told us to make a point of mentioning it next time we book. So we will.
A chilled honey rum chupito was gratis as one for the road, although it's as well it was just a quick digestive. The stuff disappears fast when there are willing accomplices.
Conclusion? If you've not got the option of flying out, hop on EMT148 or 3 to the viaduct and make a beeline for the steps behind the bus stop.
TweetFollow @honestlymadrid
Sadly, El Guachinche has closed.
Per Person
2 beers each, five shared dishes, 1 dessert each; €20
Gratis: ron miel/honey rum chupito/digestive.
In not so many words
Hopes?
That the menu sings like a Canary.
Reality?
A fine sample of simple, authentic-feeling dishes.
First Impressions?
The decor and lighting is rather stark which doesn't welcome you as much as it might.
A USP?
Consistent quality at a great price.
The food in three words?
Value for money.
Can they get the staff?
Rucaden (it's his name!) and co are amiable and things flow consistently.
Service with a smile?
Yep, it's simply genuine and amiable.
Would you take your friends?
Sure. Something for all tastes, I think.
Rating for a dating?
Hmm. Lacks a sense of a place to be, perhaps.
Tip?
Yep, earnt.
If you could change one thing, what would it be?
They'd run out of Gofio mousse. We should have checked.
Going back?
Yep. We want opinions from others.
In Pictures
On Google Images
In not so few words
Let's get it out of the way. Visit El Guachinche. It's Canarian food, so it should help you get your mojo back.
Good. Feel better? Yes, me too.
While it could be cosier (painting everything off-white and leaving lots of undecorated right angles do not a warm atmosphere make), come to El Guachinche with a few friends, spend €20-odd each. You'll not leave hungry, and you'll probably be up for a return visit.
We had four dishes today. For four a double dose of Wrinkly Spuds, which sound far more appealing if you call them Papas Arrugadas, is essential. I could harp on about how to prepare them, but I know what you're thinking. Instead, I'll tell you these are the mamas of all papas. A slightly bitter red mojo and an absolutely first class acidy green one came with them.
The mojos reappear with the terrific roast cheese. Haloumi-like in texture, it's bathed in the sauces, like, I don't know, vegetarian bacon with chilli oil. Or something. Look, just go and try it.
Two chorizos, half a portion each, share the next plate. Soft in texture and in taste. Think slightly more muscular sobresada and you're pretty much there. Fresh, if unremarkable bread was in good supply.
We rounded off with Ropa Vieja. Think stew, not Cuban beef dish. Meat, fried potatoes, a load of perfectly done chickpeas and lots of pepper accompany shredded flank or skirt - although I suppose I might expect goat on the islands. Very filling, and a pleasingly distinctive broth from a limited number of ingredients. One generous plate of this was enough to satisfy four of us, bearing in mind our previous form.
A whole raft of desserts, today. A banana trifley thing had some welcome alcohol in it, but I could have lived without chocolate hundreds 'n' thousands on top. A segment of cheesy Pudding was very good, and the solo tiramisú was better than I'd expected as it was certainly homemade. All good, although they'd sold out of gofio mousse, which means we can't really mention today how deliciously moreish we know it is. So we won't. Rucaden (it's his name!) told us to make a point of mentioning it next time we book. So we will.
A chilled honey rum chupito was gratis as one for the road, although it's as well it was just a quick digestive. The stuff disappears fast when there are willing accomplices.
Conclusion? If you've not got the option of flying out, hop on EMT148 or 3 to the viaduct and make a beeline for the steps behind the bus stop.
TweetFollow @honestlymadrid
