“Quien lee mucho y anda mucho, ve mucho y sabe mucho.” — Miguel de Cervantes
Cervantes links knowledge to reading and walking—to what we study and what we discover by moving through the world. A meal can teach in the same incremental way. At Casa Macareno, each plate clarified what the kitchen did best: bold sauces, crisp potatoes, vegetables in traditional dishes and a vermouth that outperformed the heavier mains.
The Patatas Bravas Macareno were the clearest success. Crisp outside and soft within, the potatoes carried both the restaurant’s red sauce and a white garlic sauce. The two were blended so well that every bite felt complete rather than divided between heat and creaminess. This is the dish that earned the easiest recommendation.
The squid with shallots, vermouth and pumpkin was lightly cooked. Its delicacy stood apart from the stronger sauces elsewhere on the table, and the vegetables were welcome.
The Iberian ham and truffle croquette was less memorable. It was a little salty relative to other Madrid dishes I had eaten and did not feel extraordinary. Slow-cooked Iberian pork cheek in Pedro Ximénez sauce also failed to distinguish itself. Its gravy-based richness leaned salty, without the depth I expected.
The vermouth was the best of those I tried in Madrid. Tartness and sweetness met in the right proportion, while the carbonation was subtle. It gave the meal the balance that the croquette and pork cheek lacked.
Service was friendly. Staff asked whether we preferred English or Spanish, a small courtesy that made ordering easier. There was a line, but the wait was not long. I also appreciated that vegetables appeared across several dishes.
What to order
- Patatas Bravas Macareno.
- Squid with shallots, vermouth and pumpkin.
- Vermouth.
What to skip
- The Iberian ham and truffle croquette if you are sensitive to salt.
- The Iberian pork cheek in Pedro Ximénez; it was not distinctive during this visit.
Verdict
Go for the patatas bravas and vermouth. They showed the balance and personality that the saltier croquette and pork cheek did not.
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