- With summer drawing to a close and temperatures becoming milder, its secluded back garden and relaxed chill-out area are more enjoyable than ever in September, for both lunch and dinner, seven days a week.
- Among the must-try dishes on the menu: Sobao with smoked anchovies and Cabrales cream, scrambled eggs with garlic prawns on pan-fried potatoes, charcoal-grilled turbot with ham hollandaise and mini roast potatoes, or charcoal-grilled picaña with traditional chimichurri butter; and on the non-stop menu – which is about to disappear until next year – their popular squid with mayolima, bluefin tuna tartare, or the season’s finest tomatoes with ventresca.
September marks the start of the new school year, a return to the office, fixed timetables and diaries… But at El Jardín de Arturo Soria (Arturo Soria, 207, Madrid. Tel. 91 896 59 25) summer is still in the air and there are still plenty of reasons to make the most of the outdoor season, because getting back into the swing of things, with a table at ‘El Jardín’, feels a little less like a return to routine. As long as the weather holds, both its chill-out terrace and the secluded back garden remain the perfect retreat to enjoy the pleasant temperatures away from the noise, with a tasty aperitif, lunch in the sun or dinner under the moonlight – all of which help us stay in holiday mode just a little longer.
The chill-out area, near the entrance, with high and low tables, is the most laid-back side of El Jardín de Arturo Soria. No booking is needed, so it works just as well for a weekend aperitif as it does for an impromptu get-together, a snack between meals or that after-work drink that ensures the return to work, at least, leaves a good taste in your mouth.
Because yes, this lovely spot has its own summer menu, and it’s ideal for sharing: creamy ham croquettes, squid with mayolima, tomato salad, sobao with smoked anchovies and Cabrales cream, bluefin tuna tartare and, of course, Russian salad. A selection of dishes that calls for a vermouth or a glass of ice-cold beer. The sweet finale comes courtesy of the desserts on the restaurant’s menu, and if in doubt, the Basque-style cheesecake with 80% dark chocolate will delight both die-hard cheesecake fans and the most devoted chocolate lovers alike.
For those seeking a peaceful spot, on the other side of the bright, glass-fronted dining room lies the garden – the jewel in this culinary crown – and September, when the heat is no longer stifling, is arguably the best month to enjoy it. So, for anyone who hasn’t yet had the chance to savour the most summery dishes, now is the perfect time to do so: scrambled eggs with garlic prawns on pan-fried potatoes, grilled cuttlefish with roasted garlic aioli, or the ever-popular sautéed cockles with garlic oil and chopped parsley, which inevitably transport us back to the sea.
The same goes for the rice dishes, so closely associated with the beach, and their creamy lobster rice is highly recommended. Other dishes with a taste of the sea include grilled grouper with beurre blanc sauce, celeriac cream and sautéed spinach, or grilled turbot with ham hollandaise and mini roast potatoes. For meat-lovers, amongst its five dishes, the charcoal-grilled picaña with traditional chimichurri butter has been the hit of the summer. And if there’s one thing that brightens up life, it’s a good dessert, so to finish off, alongside the cheesecake, the pistachio cream coulant with crumble and raspberry ice cream is a sure-fire hit.
About EL JARDÍN DE ARTURO SORIA
El Jardín de Arturo Soria serves an interesting Executive Menu from Monday to Friday at lunchtime for €35; the average spend is around €25–30 in the chill-out area (with the à la carte menu available non-stop from 13:00 to 23:00 in spring and summer); and €45–50 in the restaurant. This more elaborate menu can be enjoyed in three main areas: the covered terrace, filled with greenery and suitable for any time of year; the elegant glass-fronted dining room, with family-sized tables and more intimate seating; and the magical back garden, which remains open until 4 October. Its outdoor areas are pet-friendly, it offers vegan and gluten-free options, and it’s an ideal spot for after-work drinks and for ‘seeing and being seen’. Until 4 October, they are open Monday to Sunday from 1.00 pm to 1.00 am without a break, so you can always grab a bite to eat in the chill-out area between meals; however, for the restaurant menu, the kitchen is open from 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm for lunch and from 8.00 pm to 11.00 pm for dinner. There is a lift providing access to all areas, and valet parking is available for certain services. Thanks to its location, flexible offering and the charm of its facilities, it is ideal for hosting urban weddings, First Communions, christenings and any family, social or corporate event.
SOURCE: AIRES NEWS