- This traditional Andalusian tavern is always worth a visit, but this month, with the San Isidro Fair taking place in the neighbouring Las Ventas bullring, it is undoubtedly a must-visit.
- Its appealing menu, packed with popular dishes – potato salad, tripe, pig’s ear, marinated tomatoes and, of course, oxtail in various preparations – is complemented by off-menu specialities such as prawn cones and two comprehensive Feria set menus designed for sharing and perfect for sampling the best of the menu, starting from €55 including drinks.
- In this warm and rustic venue, featuring a bar area, high tables, a dining room and a terrace, a great atmosphere reigns and everyone is welcome: the long-standing locals, tourists, bullfighting enthusiasts, flamenco lovers, or those simply seeking the best torreznos in Madrid or an unforgettable pig’s ear…
Having been open for a year, Casa Toro (Julio Camba, 5. Madrid. Tel. 676 74 52 93) has become a must-visit in the Ventas area; this tavern, with the heart of Madrid and the soul of the south, is designed for everyone to enjoy. However, during the San Isidro Fair, it becomes a must-visit spot where fine cuisine and the best atmosphere are guaranteed.
Located opposite the bullring, during these days of the fair — the season kicked off on 1 May with the Community Fair, giving way to the San Isidro Fair which ends on 14 June — this tavern is more appealing than ever. Its traditional à la carte menu—created by Fran Porras and advised by Alex Marugán, a fellow graduate—is complemented by perfect options for a bite to eat; because César Molero, at the helm of Casa Toro and also the nearby El Tentadero, is clear on this: “during the fair, the must-haves are Blázquez’s cured meats, the Russian salad —we make ours with garlic prawns and it’s very popular—, the tomato salad and the prawns, which we serve boiled or grilled, and we make off-menu crystal prawn cones, which are great for sharing”. Another new addition is the Iberian pork shoulder carpaccio on manzanilla-scented ajoblanco, perfect dishes to enjoy at the bar area with high tables or on the terrace, overlooking the square.
Undoubtedly, the venue’s great atmosphere, opening hours and the current climate lend themselves to informal get-togethers, but if you’re looking for something a bit more relaxed, there’s nothing like booking a table in the main dining room, dominated by a large ‘fire-engraved’ mural, which includes a nod to Águila beer amidst the wicker baskets, tins and flowers. The venue, designed by Néstor Marcos Architecture, is a modern reinterpretation of a traditional tavern, much like its cuisine, which is full of carefully crafted and original dishes. And as everything looks tempting, the perfect choice is one of the ‘Menús de Feria’, featuring sharing plates, a main course, an assortment of desserts and a drink from €55.
For à la carte dining, the star dishes at Casa Toro include: the Russian salad; the ‘Campeones de Madrid’ pork crackling and the scrambled eggs with oxtail crumbs. Of course, with that name and this location, they serve an oxtail stew with chips as a tribute to Casa Toribio that will have you coming back for more. The secret lies in the fact that it is finished in the oven for 12 hours, resulting in a melt-in-the-mouth dish where the meat falls right off the bone; and yes, you simply must dip their delicious olive oil flatbread into the sauce. Another dish gaining a growing following is the pig’s ear chunks in spicy sauce, which are first boiled and then fried in small cubes to achieve a texture that’s crispy on the outside and very tender on the inside. When it comes to desserts, the torrija never disappoints, and to accompany it, there’s a wine list featuring various D.O.s, a selection of sherries, La Dolores vermouth, or a perfectly poured glass of Águila.
Casa Toro is closed on Mondays throughout May; during the rest of the year, it is open every day of the week from 12.30 pm to 1.00 am, and on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays—when the atmosphere is enlivened by live music—until 2.00 am. There is a reduced menu outside lunch and dinner times, featuring cold cuts, tinned food and almost all the house specialities available for an afternoon drink. It seats 180 people, mostly at comfortable high tables scattered throughout the venue, some attached to the bar, and booking is recommended in the evenings, especially if there is a bullfighting event. It also has a casual terrace with seating for 50 diners. The average bill is €35–40, and there are set menus for groups from €45, as its layout makes it perfect for hosting both small and large celebrations.
Source: AIRES NEWS Comunicación