La Pecera del Círculo de Bellas Artes — Restaurant in Madrid

It's really gone down hill in the last couple years. My husband and I used to go here frequently for the daily menu, as much as once a week. We enjoyed the beautiful architecture and artwork in the cafe, the food felt reasonably good for the price, and the service was neither noticeably good nor bad. We used to recommend it to local and visiting friends alike. But no more. We've gone twice in the last 6 months and both times were terrible. The food was awful and the service was worse. Today I am fairly certain that everything that was served to us was either from the freezer or a can. My husband's pasta was plain white boiled penne with canned sauce that tasted just like the canned Chef Boyardee sauce I dreaded as a kid. The chocolate pudding with cookies tasted exactly like the pudding from the giant tin cans they used to serve us from in grade school and the "cookies" were just dry boxed cookies on top. I can make far better food at home (and I am not a good cook) for much less. Then, the service. First the waitress tried to serve us water in the glasses that were left on the table from the previous diners. Then she only gave us forks. Since it is rather hard to eat pork chops without a knife, I asked for one. Five minutes and many passes by our waitress later, my husband asked for one again. Five minutes later we went up to the bar to ask for two sets of silverware because by now my husband also needed something more than a solitary fork. They said our waitress had to bring them. Five minutes later our waitress brings us a solitary BENT knife (bent almost 45 degrees). By this time our food is stone cold and our wine has been drunk in an effort to pass the time. In the meantime, the couple behind us was having their own version of the same. I could hear them debating if they should just go up to the front or not. I could understand if the waitress was just stretched thin, but it was like she was making an effort to be rude and curt. If you want to enjoy the beautiful space, I recommend you do it over a cocktail or glass of wine during the off hours when service might be a...

I had the possibility to dine recently in this restaurant and believe me when I say that I've never been treated so poorly.

First of all, let's talk about the location: it was clean and perfectly decorated. The food was all right, nothing special as I was expecting but nothing to complain about. Then we have the horrible service that they provided.

It all started when they handed out the menu without giving us indications on unavailable items so when the waiter came to take our order, we had to change it completely on the spot. After making sure with the waiter that our food would have been available, we waited for our drinks and starters just to discover that our entire order was changed as the food that we ordered wasn't available anymore –we didn't know for sure until we got the various dishes-.

When receiving the second course the waiter made a fork fall of the table (understandable, it can happen to anyone) but he didn't replace it until explicitly asked to do so.

We had for drinks red and white wine as well as some champagne and a coke. We didn't receive the coke and champagne until we had to ask for them at least 10 times and we got them by the second course –which as said before wasn't what we ordered-.

After the dessert we asked for a simple coffee which was served in the wrong kind of mug (the big one for cappuccinos instead of the small one for simple coffees). I'm trying to understand how no one noticed that they were serving a small quantity of coffee in a big mug.

I believe in good service, and I hope the staff of "La Pecora del Circulo de Bellas Artes" will improve based on this. I may have the possibility to come back and update (hopefully in a positive way)...

La Pecera Bar at the Círculo de Bellas Artes is, quite simply, a spectacle without equal. As a seasoned traveller who has explored countless bars across the globe, I can confidently state that I have encountered nothing quite like this. The sheer breadth of their selection of spirits and liqueurs is staggering—unique, diverse, and unparalleled. Each bottle tells a story, drawing from a myriad of origins and traditions, creating an experience that transcends the ordinary.

The bartenders deserve particular commendation. They were not only exceptionally polite and attentive, but also impressively knowledgeable. They responded to my numerous questions with patience and insight, offering detailed explanations that reflected their deep understanding and passion for their craft.

La Pecera is more than a bar; it is a sanctuary for connoisseurs and curious minds alike, blending sophistication with a warm, inviting atmosphere. A truly remarkable establishment that should be experienced by anyone with an appreciation for fine spirits and...