Tropicalista — Restaurant in Madrid

Exemplary Spanish Soul Food!...Unexpected homecooking in an alley of Central Madrid...My story is perhaps a little unique...

I walked in the front door at five to midnight with a half-drunk bottle of rare wine I procured earlier that same afternoon for a much-anticipated date, the details of which I must leave out, but were also an extraordinary memory...

I met Diego at the bar and told him I wanted one more glass, but not a drop more, and as it was an oversized bottle, he and the staff could drink the rest and even charge me a corking fee (which he waved after sampling.)

From that point on, I was swept away by a dinner that I left entirely in the hands of Diego. I didn't even glance at the menu. I told him vaguely that I wanted rice and maybe chicken, but I would not reject anything he sent me. (*note: if you are inclined to take a similar approach to ordering, I suggest that you are in the same flexible, easy-going frame of mind;)

When my dinner arrived, it exceeded my expectations on every level, and I expressly communicated my feelings to Diego, which I presume gave him confidence when I dealt him his next unexpected challenge: a nightcap.

I mentioned that I recently interviewed Kara Newman, the renowned New York spirits editor and author of "Nightcap: more than 40 cocktails to close out any evening," and found the occasion fitting for one more drink to end the evening...and would accept whatever he brought me.

Diego gave me two options. I asked him what was the first option that popped into his mind. He answered, "The Fitzgerald," a sweet-citrus cocktail.

"I'll take it," I said. And I...

We were greeted with the words "so if you don't want to eat, you'll have to leave if other guests come", even though there were still seats available. Then we had to wait almost 10 minutes until we were asked for drinks and snacks. The waiter's manner was dismissive and cool, but only to us. He is friendly to all other guests and smiles too. The impression that foreign tourists are not welcome in Madrid is extremely reinforced. Then came my food, then the drinks and 8 minutes later my friend's food. I could have finished eating in that time. The food was okay, but didn't really blow anyone away. Overall not recommended as a tourist, but this applies to the whole city. As a local, you get a completely different treatment. I expected something different...

As a Brazilian living in Madrid, having Tropicalista close to my place is amazing. The bolinho de feijoada, the dadinhos de tapioca and the coxinhas are simply perfect and with a special "home" flavour. The picanha (with that real Brazilian farofa) is delicious, actually my favourite. The Ensalada Elis is also really good. They also have nice options of beer, wine and drinks, special attention needed to a drink named Bethania - this is a must have, unique and very tasty. The restaurant has a cool atmosphere and the crew is super friendly, and always ready to make good recommendations of different Brazilian flavours. Diego and Ale are lovely and are always around to ensure...