Nebraska

One more great place in Madrid with good food, service is great, nice atmosphere...for only 10,95 Euro i take: gazpacho soup (gazpacho andaluz con su guarnicion), fish with tomato salad (lubina a la bilbaina con patatas dado)- and was prepared perfect!, glass of good white wine and ice cream of pistacio and really enjoyed :o) specially in fish :o).
Well, you can pay less all this - 9,95 Eur if you eat by bar
or you can take daily menu for only 7,95 Eur.
But i wouldn't miss such good prepared fish as i take :o) ...
It's open during the whole day : for desayunos (breakfast), comidas (lunch), cena (dinner) and meriendas (snack)
Menu is great and everyone can find something for himself for sure and i highly recommend this place :o)

First when we booked Hostal in Madrid in January, over Hostel World on Internet, it was Hostal Luis XV, also in Calle Montera 47, in same building where is Hostal Jerez, just at 8-th floor, but when we came Hostal Luis XV was under construction so we get another one, Hostal Jerez, just on 6-th floor. The prize was the same as we booked for Luis - 26 Euro for night, and we didn't regret,on contrary we were very satisfied 'cause Jerez has really good accommodation, and looks more as hotel than hostel - big triple room, very clean, bathroom complete, AC, TV, direct phone line (they have also safe box, laundry service, but we didn't use because we were there just for 1 night). Personal is great and on reception you can find all tourist informations including free maps of Madrid and mini cards with informations for many places in the city.
The hostel is in group of Metropol travelers hostel, situated in the heart of Madrid, on the corner of Calle Gran Via and just 5 minutes from Puerta del Sol.
Everything is near and you can get easy walk to Plaza Mayor, Royal Palace, Opera House and the museums Prado and Thyssen.
From main train station Chamartin you can easy and fast get to Gran Via station by metro , lines 1 and 5.
Was so good ('cause we came to Madrid from Barsa at 7a.m.) that we can check in at 8 a.m. and latest check out next day was at 11.30 a.m.
So, Madrid gave us "big hug" from start and we can start our adventure in this beautiful city :o)

We passed by "Zahara cafe" in the morning and decided to enter and taste "churos" - we were curious what is that 'cause we just heared about , so with juice or milk this is one "easy breakfast" for just 2 Eur ... I also found recipe and attend to make it by myself at home :o) But anyway, before you try to do that by yourself, first taste this in Spain :o)

Authentic Churros
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
2 cups water
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
olive oil for frying (traditional and essential!)
wooden spoon for mixing
“Manga churrera”, pastry bag or funnel
Directions:
Place flour and salt in a large, deep mixing bowl.
Boil water and pour ALL AT ONCE onto the flour. Stir vigorously until well blended and the mixture comes away from the bowl. Takes about 5 minutes.
Fill your deep fryer or a deep skillet about half-full of olive oil and heat until aromatic, NOT smoking! Place the batter in a “manga churrera” (churro maker) or, if you’re good, a *cloth* pastry tube or funnel.
The “manga” is better because you can press it through gradually and have more control. A narrow mouthpiece is best because they come out crunchier and less bready than the fat ones.
Drop the batter vertically in a continuous stream, working around in a spiral from the center out, right over the hot oil. You can also make individual circlets. Fry until golden, turning once.
Drain on paper. Be careful! The oil can spatter!
The difference between Latin American and Spanish Churros is that authentic Spanish Churros are NOT dipped in sugar. They are eaten as is with coffee or thickened hot chocolate.
Traditionally, the chocolate is made by shaving bitter chocolate bars on a grater or with a knife, adding sugar and milk and flour and heating, stirring, till the desired thickness is reached. Be careful, it can stick and burn.
You may have to practice once or twice but it’s well worth acquiring the skill.

Maybe you had wish to meet Leon Felipe? or maybe Lope de Vega? or great Miguel de Cervantes? Everything is possible in Madrid, just look around and be careful where you put your step walking by the street and be prepare for this heroes of Spain :o)

If you just look up on some of facade in older parts of Madrid you'll see beautiful tiled street signs. This little artistic works makes Madrid so special and i enjoyed walking the city and wait for the next corner to see the new one :o)