Secret Madrid

A week ago I was back in Madrid enjoying the sunny streets and cafe culture of my home city. While packing my bags with jamon serrano and manchego cheese for the Amazing PR girls, I also decided to throw in some insider tips for this wonderful city. During my visit I had the opportunity to tick off a few of my must-dos in Madrid and I would like to share them with all of you – after all who better than a local to show you the real Madrid? Normally the Brits abroad congregate on the beaches of Benidorm, Majorca, Marbella, or hit the super-clubs of Ibiza, sometimes winging into Barcelona for a weekend break. But for many Madrid, the capital, goes unnoticed.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESG5Y7pejU0]

STAY

Although I usually crash with friends or family when I make my monthly stop in the capital, for you I would highly recommend one of the four Roommate Hotels in Madrid. This is a boutique chain of hotels that aims to give you a personal and relaxing experience akin to that of staying in a friend’s house. Each hotel is named after your ‘friend’ in each particular area, Mario, Laura, Alicia and Oscar. My favourite is Oscar, in Chueca (our SoHo), the building dominates the Plaza de Vazquez de Mella with a big neon sign. Oscar's ‘home’ is perfectly located and its gorgeous rooftop terrace complete with pool is regularly frequented by the locals.

EAT

One thing I love and miss most about Madrid is the food, it is easy to find Spanish and European restaurants that offer wonderful quality at surprisingly reasonable prices. Very centrally located near the Plaza de Santa Ana you will find Ginger, which offers a mix of Spanish, European and Asian cuisine. Sister restaurants Bazaar, La Gloria de Montera and La Finca de Susana offer variations on the theme, but with the same high quality and reasonable pricing. Though there is a no reservations policy so arrive at a reasonable time or be prepared to wait.

You can’t pay a visit to Madrid without sampling some of the infamous croquettes. In Malasaña, Casa Julio offers some of the most typical Spanish dishes. The walls are adorned with photos of its celebrity visitors, including U2. The story goes that after a photo shoot at the legendary tavern, the band fell in love with the charming croquettes that Maite, the chef of 70 years, made for them.

SHOP

After doing any touristy things (which any guide book can recommend perfectly well – I am here to show you the more unseen side of Madrid) I am sure you will be ready to hit the shops. You may have to get out and familiarise yourself with your map, I am taking you to one of the more unusual shops in Madrid. The workshop of ‘La Peseta’ rose to fame when Marc Jacobs chose to make some accessories using their designs for his American collection.

You can buy the original design that inspired the Marc Jacobs passport holder in the shop – at a much more reasonable price.

PARTY

When night falls Madrid is transformed, the streets fill with people, although the real party doesn’t get started until after midnight. Before you dive headfirst into a crazy Spanish night make a stop at the legendary Palentino, an old fashioned bar which by night becomes a mecca for the young, stylish people of the city. Its bar price are dirt cheap, you can get a caña (a typical small beer) for only €1 and spirit & mixer for just €3.

When you are ready to start the party proper it is just a 5 minute walk to "Plaza España", where you will find one of the most alternative parties in the capital. At Zombie resident DJ’s the Zombie Kids bring their own unique brand of electro/rock, get ready to jump, mingle and headbang with the local youth. A personal tip, if you are on the dance floor be prepared, when the Zombie Kids take to the stage the crowd go crazy.

LOCAL TIP

If you want to get on the list for free entry to the club, before 2:00 PM write a private message to JotaCeUnaimagen on Facebook. He is the official photographer so holds some sway.

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/14999351] After a night of heavy partying with the living dead I am sure you will be ready to reconvene next day on Oscar’s rooftop terrace to nurse your hangover and catch some rays.

JC

Old-fashioned speakers

I am reliably informed by our gadget mad online community manager - aka the wizz kid/our saviour from technical mishap/office anorak (his words!) – that the TDK Boombox is currently the last word in stylish music systems. With more than a nod to the iconic 80s ‘ghetto-blasters’ this new line of sleek boomboxes provides old-school style coupled with modern technology. Available as a two or three speaker model, both offer glossy finishes with touch screen control panels and the classic retro rectangular shape.

The TDK Boombox retains the character and size of shoulder-mounted music players, but will fit as nicely in a stylish living room as they would on a New York City stoop. They can be plugged in or battery powered, so expect to spot a few in parks over the summer – shell suits and high tops optional. For more info and stockists TDK Boombox

Get the Knives Out...

Voodoo Knife Block (£74.99)

How often have you watched cookery programmes with just total exasperation at how quickly the likes of Jamie, Hugh, Nigella and Gordon all wield their knives? Until now I really didn’t understand how they didn’t (unlike me) manage to chop a nail - let alone a finger off? Well… guess what, since then I’ve discovered how... My friend Sherry rang me all excitedly to tell me about Divertimenti’s ‘Knife Skills – Hands on Masterclass’. “Fabulous count me in” I squealed, I could hardly contain myself at the thought of being able to unravel the mysteries of professional knife chopping. On the appointed day we went to the Divertimenti Cookery SchoolHQ in Marylebone. We were given aprons, a small butcher block and a 9” Cooks knife that was as sharp, as sharp can be…Yes! Our teacher the lovely Gloria taught Sherry and I all sorts of clever tricks:

• Always keep the tip of the blade down on the chopping board but lift at the ‘heel’ and rock the knife (especially when like me you are attempting to chop fast ;o))
• If you are going to buy just ONE knife, it should be a 9” Cooks Knife. It’s the most  practical all round knife.
• Make sure the stainless steel blade runs ALL the way through the knife and into the handle.
• Never put your Cooks Knife in the dishwasher /always dry your knives properly.  Always keep the blade protected and store with a knife sheath on if loose in a drawer.
• When purchasing your Cooks Knife, feel its weight and be careful to make sure there is moulded steel guard at the ‘heel’ i.e. the end of the handle/ beginning of the blade (Japanese knives sometimes don’t have this). Without this it’ll take your skin off!
• Practise cutting something like Jeye cloth to test your knife for sharpness. When sharpening your knife start at the heel of the knife at the top, then slide all the way to the bottom and repeat.

A good example of a Cooks Knife: Henckels professional "S" Range Cooks Knife 26cm (31021-261) £89 from Cooks Knives Shop

Having mastered our chopping, dicing and slicing; we were put to work jointing a chicken. Gloria demonstrated this in seconds - Sherry and I laboured into minutes…and more minutes. However, I cannot begin to tell you all how (1) easy it is (after a bit of practise) and (2) how useful it is to be able to now utilise the whole chicken (especially when you own a Tibetan Spaniel who’s rather partial to a bit of fresh chicken!)  For inspiration, see this clever video below: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=If9vyVipDkA] All vegetables and chicken got used up and made into a delicious Genoese Vegetable Soup with Fresh Mint Pesto and Grilled Chicken with Soy and Chilli Glaze, which we all sat down and ate after class - yum! For details of the ‘Knife Skills – Hands on Masterclass’ and many other cookery courses please go to Divertimenti Cookery School All students receive a 10% discount on any purchases made at Divertimenti including cookery classes for up to a week after attending. NB: Sometimes there are special offers, if you book more than one class. E.W

Inspired by Indian tribal prints and patterns

Now that Spring has officially sprung I’ve been trying to inject some colour and flair into my home as well as my wardrobe. Graham & Green has some beautiful and stylish pieces that will instantly lift any room. I adore their embroidered gypsy caravan cushions, inspired by Indian tribal prints and patterns and their Moroccan leather pouffes which have been hand stitched in Morocco and can either be used as extra seating for friends or simply as decoration. I also have my eye on the hand stitched floral quilt sets which will instantly brighten any bedroom and have all been overstitched by hand giving them a  personalised feel. Graham and Green stock a wide range of carefully sourced and beautifully made furniture which is guaranteed to give a touch of style to any home and have your friends asking where you sourced such unique and interesting pieces.

Graham & Green have stores in Notting Hill and Primrose Hill or alternatively look online to view and purchase their whole range of furniture.

A exuberant show

I loved this exuberant show that perfectly captures the cultural upheaval that the music industry in America was undergoing in the mid 1950s. It recreates the seminal moment when the iconic figures of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins converged on the Sun Records a studio in Memphis for some impromptu music making. The show is full of the best-recognised hits of the time including ‘Blue Suede Shoes’, ‘Walk The Line’ and ‘Great Balls of Fire’, all performed and played live on stage.  The stand out star of the show is Ben Goddard who captures the archaic wildness of Jerry Lee Lewis perfectly. If you want a show that will have you dancing in the aisles this one´s for you. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTVH2EFC7bE]