El Doble is part of The Adios Puerto Rico, Hola España Trip Report. Read TPOL in Madrid: Why A Second Residency?
I enjoy receiving restaurant recommendations from locals or from friends who have been to where I am going. In Madrid, I was told to go to Ten Con Ten and Taberna de Rincon. Both were excellent. While it’s nice to have insight into great places, it is more rewarding and fun when I discover such places on my own. Enter El Doble, an internationally known seafood cervecería right down the street from my apartment. After waking up promptly at 3 PM (see Espresso? Beer? Both?: My Madrid Morning Routine), I left my apartment in search of my morning café. I headed west on Calle de José Abascal. At the corner of Abascal and Ponzano, I came across a place that was as lively as anywhere I had been in Madrid.
I popped my head inside to see people eating, drinking, and chatting. But, there were no signs of coffee. Groggy, I thought that I should go get a double shot and then return to join the festivities. I walked out. Seconds later, I walked back in. I have been to enough places to know that when you see something you do something (see Expat Lessons). I found a spot at the bar and took it upon myself to order fresh shrimp, octopus, and draft beer.
TPOL’s Tip: Order shrimp or octopus, not both. It’s a bit pricey to pay over 20 euros per plate.
TPOL’s Tip: Check the prices before ordering anywhere and everywhere (another one for the Expat Lessons). Pointing at what looks good instead of referencing it on a menu because you don’t know the name in the local language is a recipe for disaster.
I switched from beer to wine and from jumbo shrimp, an oxymoron, to little shrimp, a redundant combination of words.
Before I could order more, the owner came by with the check. 4:15 PM is closing time. I was happy that I got there in time but sad to go home so early.
My friends gave me great recommendations for places to eat and drink in Madrid. And now I can do the same.
