A fachada promete algo de típico e o interior confirma. A Cava de Illan serve comida típica madrilenha, um clássico numa Cava Baja que está a mudar para conceitos de tapas e pinchos mais modernos mas este parou no tempo, parou em 1988 ano em que foi fundado.
The facade promises something typical it’s interior confirms it. The Cava de Illan serves typical Madrilenian food, a classic in Cava Baja that is changing tapas and pinchos to a more modern concept but this one stopped in time, stopped in 1988 the year it was founded.
Entramos para uma sala pequena, com uma “barra” (balcão) igualmente pequena e poucas mesas. Há outra sala onde funciona o restaurante mas esta primeira é onde podes petiscar. Não diria que é particularmente acolhedor mas tem detalhes que se apreciam como as serigrafias de Madrid antiga nas mesas.
We get into a small room, with a small “barra“ (balcony or counter) and also a few tables. There is another room where there’s the restaurant but this is where you can eat some tapas. I can’t say it’s particularly cozy but it has details that one can appraise like the old Madrid serigraphs on the tables.
Pedimos algumas tapas, decidimos não pedir o presunto que ali, e como manda a tradição, é cortado bem fininho e na hora. Optámos pelas “rabas de calamares” (choco panado), pelas tradicionais “croquetas de jamón” (também tinham de bacalhau), pedimos uns chouriços feitos em vinho e cometemos o erro de pedir os “huevos rotos” (ovos estrelados com presunto e batata frita), não porque estivesse maus mas porque já não havia espaço para mais comida.
As tapas rondavam os 8-9 euros o prato e eram bem generosas, a comida estava óptima e foi uma agradável surpresa. As “croquetas” foram das melhores que comi mas não sou especialista, o seu segredo está na massa estaladiça e saborosa que as envolve. O choco estava óptimo e até considerámos pedir outra em vez dos ovos.
No final pagámos quase 50€ para três (ou melhor dois e meio) e considerámos que podíamos ter pago menos porque um dos pratos de tapas era desnecessário, além disso as bebidas aqui são exageradamente caras, uma Coca-cola de 25cl custa 2,5€. Se pedes uma cerveja ou vinho colocam-te uma pequena tapa de cortesia.
É sem dúvida uma boa opção quando estás na Cava Baja e tudo o resto está cheio de gente.
We ordered some tapas, we decided not to have the ham that there, and as tradition dictates, it’s sliced very thin and at the time. We have chosen the “rabas de calamar“ (breaded cuttlefish), the traditional “croquetas of ham“ (they also had ones with cod), we asked some sausages made into wine and made the mistake of asking the “huevos rotos“ (fried eggs with ham and potatoes fried), not because they were bad but because there was no room for more food.
The tapas were around 8-9 euros and were very generous, the food was great and it was a pleasant surprise. The “croquetas“ were the best I ate but I’m no expert, the secret is in the crispy and tasty dough that involves them. The cuttlefish was great and we even wanted to ask another instead of eggs.
In the end we paid almost 50 € for three (or rather two and a half) and we felt that we could have paid less because of the one “tapa” dish that was unnecessary, besides the drinks here are very expensive, a Coca–Cola 25cl costs 2,5 €. If order beer or wine they give you a complementary “tapa”.
It is certainly a good option when you’re in Cava Baja and everything else is crowded.
The tapas were around 8-9 euros and were very generous, the food was great and it was a pleasant surprise. The “croquetas“ were the best I ate but I’m no expert, the secret is in the crispy and tasty dough that involves them. The cuttlefish was great and we even wanted to ask another instead of eggs.
In the end we paid almost 50 € for three (or rather two and a half) and we felt that we could have paid less because of the one “tapa” dish that was unnecessary, besides the drinks here are very expensive, a Coca–Cola 25cl costs 2,5 €. If order beer or wine they give you a complementary “tapa”.
It is certainly a good option when you’re in Cava Baja and everything else is crowded.
Metro: La Latina
Guia Madrid/Madrid Guide
Living in Iberia 
