PRICE:
Frommer's Very Highly Recommended

Madrileños defiantly name Casa Paco, just beside the Plaza Mayor, when someone dares to denigrate Spanish steaks. They know that here you can get the thickest, juiciest, tastiest steaks in Spain, priced according to weight. Señor Paco sears his steaks in boiling oil before serving them on plates so hot that the almost-raw meat continues to cook, preserving the natural juices. Located in the Old Town, this two-story restaurant has three dining rooms, but reservations are imperative. If you face a long wait, sample the tapas at the bar in front. Around the walls are autographed photographs of notables. Casa Paco isn't just a steakhouse; you can start with fish soup and proceed to grilled sole or baby lamb, or try Casa Paco cocido, the house version of Madrid's famous chickpea and pork soup. As tempting as the fresh shellfish looks, it is sold at no set price but "at market rates," which change from day to day. The bill for your appetizers might equal the national budget for Nepal. You might top it off with one of the luscious desserts, but Paco no longer serves coffee. It made customers linger, keeping tables occupied while potential patrons had to be turned away.

Copyright: Excerpted from Frommer's Madrid, 3rd Edition, (c) 2008, Wiley Publishing, Inc.

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