PaiPái - Review - Chamartin - Madrid - The Infatuation

"Paipái in Chamartín is a hole-in-one dining experience where everything is simply awesome—locals know it, and now you do, too. The buzzy ambiance doesn’t feel pretentious (though, you may even be here at the same time as a Spanish actor or basketball pro), there’s friendly service, a price-to-quality ratio that’s hard to find elsewhere in town, and a menu varied enough to satisfy the “I don’t do seafood or gluten” friends. Plus, having a great meal is always a guarantee. Spanish dishes have a touch of international flavors, like a crunchy egg set in a bed of potatoes parmentier and truffles, a Paipái maki with shrimp, Japanese mayo, and cornflakes, and a slow-cooked short rib drenched in Korean sweet and sour sauce. This place has one of the better wine lists in town, featuring options beyond the typical Rioja/Ribera circle. It includes selections from small, family-owned wineries in lesser-known regions like Mallorca, Sierra de Gredos in Madrid, and offers Palomino Fino vermouth by the glass." - Lori Zaino