TriCiclo l Restaurante Mediterráneo Madrid — Restaurant in Madrid

First, this is in the middle of one of the most interesting and active areas of Madrid, close to where we were last week (Ganz Café), in a neighborhood now called Mercado de las Ranas, and where some (quite a lot, now ;-) ) years ago we used to basically go for drinks (it was called Huertas then, and had some mythical bars such as Anvick, a temple of sixties soul).

Second, today is a Sunday, and a brilliant, shiny, sunny one. So these streets are at their peak in terms of atmosphere, with plenty of open-air, (apparently) rastrillo shops where they sell vintage furniture (the nice, modern kind you find at hype restaurants today).

And third, this particular place, TriCicle, is a real gem, because it takes its cuisine seriously, so it does not restrict itself to serving brunch or Majorcan cocas, or design burgers and/or pizzas to a young / mid-life crowd. It rather aims at being admired, or at least liked by those in the know (the difficult and not-so-young gastronomic critics).

Final result, today, is that we had a lovely lunch, with lovely dishes such as fantastic Tataki de Bonito con Ensalada de Judías Verdes, with a hint of lemongrass flavor and some spicy sauces at the side, or wonderful croquetas de jamón, tasty but not so hard, a dish from the barra that you can order at the tables even if it is not in the Carte. Or even salteado de setas with poached egg and cecina, which is a day special we really love. As a main dish for all of us we enjoy Arroz con calamares y cabracho, really nice, maybe a bit excessive for 2 people (they sold it to us under that hypothesis).

Desserts are weaker (Chocolate TriCiclo is not bad but it definitely is nothing special).

The atmosphere is eclectic to say the least, with young and older, male and female, all sharing interest in new fashionable restaurants and bars. We are the only family with children, but they treat us fantastically. Only negative may be the fact that service seems to still be adapting / learning how it all works, or maybe they are not so many for so many of us (the bar today is full of people), so they're a bit slow (especially at dessert and for bringing the bill). We don't mind so much because we're not in a hurry and it feels good here.

All in all, it comes at about €27 / head, including one glass of wine and...

Triciclo was highly recommended and so I dropped by for dinner. I couldn't decide what to get and so I opted for the 6 course tasting menu + one dessert (50€).

The first course was a Prawn dish. The prawn was sweet and crisp; wrapped in a shiso leaf and then dipped in a sauce added some herby tangy flavours. Quite good but extremely small to be considered a course.

The next dish was a creamy zesty spicy shrimp with crunchy nuts on the side. This was good but again, I found the portion to be quite small - the plate was mainly filled with sauce.

The 3rd course was a pork belly with octopus. The octopus was nicely grilled and flavoured and the pork was tender and had a slightly spicy bbq flavoured sauce. The salad was tangy with a little spice.

The Cod was light, flakey and moist with a crisp skin. It paired well with the sweet peas.

The Tartare with chips was my favorite dish. Acorn fed Iberian pork tartare has the most amazing buttery & nutty taste and was incredibly creamy with the raw egg. The crispy flat bead and chips were well seasoned and not too oily.

The Wild Rabbit Callaloni with parmesan cheese was really rich and creamy - probably a little TOO rich with the addition of the cheese. The rabbit was juicy but I disliked the texture since it was ground up to fit into the canaloni.

For dessert, I had the Brownie with house-made olive ice cream. This was actually quite good. The brownie was not too sweet and quite airy - probably due to the amount of walnuts in it. The ice cream was more like whipped cream and tasted like olive oil rather than olives. There was a nice crunchy base which had a good amount of walnuts in it.

Overall, I found the experience to be underwhelming. Given that it was a tasting menu, I usually expect courses to be explained to me but some courses were just set down on the table. The food itself was good but not spectacular and portions were fairly small. Despite this, it still seems to be a fairly popular and I saw many walk ins who were turned away. If coming I would recommend to just get the ibérico tartare and brownie and forgo the...

Nestled in the heart of Madrid's vibrant culinary scene, Triciclo stands as a beacon of culinary excellence, where passion, innovation, and tradition converge to create an unforgettable dining experience. From the moment you step through the doors, you are transported into a world of exquisite flavors and captivating aromas, where every dish is a testament to the restaurant's commitment to culinary artistry.

My recent visit to Triciclo was an exceptional experience, culminating in a delightful wine tasting and an interactive chef's selection session. The wine tasting was a journey through Spain's rich wine heritage, where I was guided by the restaurant's knowledgeable staff through a selection of carefully curated wines, each paired perfectly with the culinary delights that awaited me. The flavors were a harmonious blend of bold and complex, with each sip complementing the dishes in a symphony of taste.

The chef's selection session was an exclusive opportunity to engage with the culinary masterminds behind Triciclo's creations. As I observed the chefs in their element, preparing each dish with meticulous care and attention to detail, I gained a deeper appreciation for the passion and expertise that drives their culinary artistry. The dishes that emerged from their hands were nothing short of masterpieces, each bite a revelation of flavors and textures that danced on my palate.

Triciclo is more than just a restaurant; it's an immersive culinary experience that engages all the senses. From the carefully curated wine list to the interactive chef's selection, every aspect of the experience is designed to transport you to a world of unparalleled culinary excellence. If you're seeking an unforgettable dining adventure in Madrid, Triciclo is the definitive...