A Day in Manzanares
Morning
To get to Manzanares,
take bus No. 721 from Plaza de Castilla, alighting at Avenida de
Madrid. There’s a supermarket near the bus stop if you want to take a
picnic. Take Calle del Castillo as far as Calle de Cañada and the
restored 15th-century castle, from where there are good views of the
storks fishing in the reservoir. Return along Calle de Cañada to the old
town square, Plaza del Generalísimo, where you’ll find several nice
cafés and bars if you are ready for a coffee stop.
Cross the tree sheltered Plaza del Raso, passing
a small cemetery, and you’ll come to the 16th-century Church of Our
Lady of the Snows with its elegant Renaissance portico. Walk around the
church for more views of the lake. Return to Plaza del Raso and take
Calle Real, crossing the River Manzanares to the ruins of the old castle
(castillo viejo). Then follow the river to the Chapel of the Holy Rock (Ermita de la Peña Sacra), built on a huge granite slab. Every Whitsun a procession in honour of the Virgin makes its way here from the cemetery.
Cross the river and turn left to Calle del Tranco, where the
El Tranco
restaurant makes a pleasant lunch stop.
Afternoon
Spend a leisurely afternoon enjoying the invigorating, fresh mountain air and splendid vistas of La Pedriza regional park.
Historic Places to Eat
El Charolés Considered the best restaurant in town. If you’re here on Wednesdays, all the better because chef Manuel Miguez’s
cocido madrileño
is renowned. Summer terrace. Las Viandas This restaurant serves good, seasonal food. There is a small, summer terrace where you can enjoy a drink before your meal. Fonda Genara Reasonably
priced restaurant also in an 18th-century building near El Escorial’s
Teatro Coliseo, hence the theatre memorabilia. Castilian cooking,
featuring dishes such as rabo de toro (bull’s tail). Set price menu. Horizontal Classy restaurant with wonderful vistas of the sierra book a terrace table in summer. First class international cuisine. Parrilla del Príncipe Grilled fish is the speciality of this hotel-restaurant
based in an 18th-century palace. La Buganvilla This café-restaurant was once the royal coach house. Castilian fare with bacalao (cod) the house speciality. El Antigua Convento Located
in a restored 17th-century monastery, this restaurant serves a range of
sophisticated dishes. Part of a hotel, it is worth exploring the lovely
cloisters and gardens. La Parra A traditional restaurant serving heart-warming country fare, such as stew made with beans and hare (fabes con liebre) and roast kid (cabrito asado). No smoking is allowed inside. Los Arcos This
Castilian restaurant, with traditional wood fired oven, is as good a
place as any to savour roast lamb, suckling pig or kid. El Tranco This pleasant restaurant serves up basic but tasty home cooking including jamón Ibérico. The terrace is open in summer. Del Tranco 4, Manzanares 91 853 0063
More Places to Eat
Asador Felipe This
restaurant in a stone farmhouse is worth seeking out. Chef Felipe del
Olmo is known for his stylish cooking – try the grilled hake in a
delicious squid sauce. During the summer ask for a table on the large
terrace. Las Postas This
roadside hotel-restaurant serves Castilian meat dishes in an attractive
dining room, the centrepiece of which is a 16th-century retablo. You
can also enjoy live music here on Saturday nights. La Balconada Nicely situated, “the balcony” overlooks Chinchón’s main square. Typical Castilian fare – sopa de ajo (garlic soup), menestra (lamb and vegetable stew) and pepitoria de gallina (chicken in an almond and egg sauce). Plaza Mayor, Chinchón 91 894 1303 Closed Wed
Mesón Cuevas del Vino This old olive oil mill with its wine cellar offers traditional sierra cooking. Try the charcoal-grilled chorizo (spicy sausage), the beans, and almond dessert, before rounding off with the local liqueur, anís. Mesón de la Virreina Spanish and Mediterranean dishes. Plaza Mayor 28, Chinchón 91 894 0015
Casa José The cuisine is based on home grown produce including the local artichoke. Casa Pablo This homely restaurant with bullfighting decor has the feel of an old tavern. Meat and fresh fish are the mainstays. El Castillo 1806 In the grounds of the Casa del Labrador. The house speciality is faisán a la cazadora (roast partridge). Hostería del Estudiante One of the dishes to try here is migas castellanas (bread crumbs in garlic with fried eggs). The restaurant is no smoking only. La Kontxa If you want a change from Castilian cooking, try this Basque restaurant. Specialities include chuletón de buey (ox steak).
|
Unless otherwise stated, all restaurants accept credit cards and serve vegetarian meals. |
|
