Casa Hortensia Restaurante & Sidrería

We just had a chance to dine there again with a group of friends after sooo many years. What we remembered was that this restaurant was one of the legendaries in Madrid and the food was exceptional. But on our latest dinner there the food was just OK, nothing extraordinary. The service was good, and correct as always, and while it was Saturday nite, the restaurant was quiet, some tables were empty. I hope this restaurant can find its quality and popularity again.

Had a work team dinner there after I had received recommendations. The food and cider were excellent. Had prawns, octupus, cachopo and pote and they were all delicious. The service was a bit pushy. I would go back. Recommend making reservations.

We came here for dinner last night. We had the garlic shrimp, lamb shoulder, hake and they had a bread donut on the table which they gave us a blue cheese to eat with it. The garlic shrimp was decent, and the lamb shoulder was a knock out of the park. Everything else was not the best - The bread was hard, the cheese tasted cheap (but was free), the fries were not properly fried or seasoned with the lamb shoulder, the hake lacked salt and had numerous bones. They ended up charging 6 euros for the bread even though they place these on the tables hours before and we do not have a choice in having it. The servers seemed friendly. Overall did not believe the pricing was justified but giving 3 stars as the lamb shoulder was delicious and we would go back for that experience. *I would like to emphasize that there was a language barrier. I would like to believe that if that wasn't there they would have been amicable to our feelings if we had been able to voice them.

This restaurant was recommended to me. It is on the second and third floor. You have to know what you’re looking for. I had my reservation on the third floor. The menu is rather simple Spanish foods, very traditional. I ordered the Fabada Asturias. An extremely large portion for one person. Simple meats came on the side, sausages-and ham. Overall, the meal was very simple, and lacked interest. Maybe it reminds Spanish people of their childhood. This is food you might get served in a farmhouse in the countryside by an uncaring cook. I was disappointed that there was no interesting twist to the dishes.

We did not get to try the food. We were seated and neglected for quite some time. After asking the host/captain for a menu, the lady acted like she did not hear me and then came back with the menu. The server was busy talking with other people and never stopped by to even say hello. After some time of that, we decided to get up and leave. Next to my table, there was a gentleman who could have been the owner or someone in management. He attempted to make up for the experience by telling the staff to come and take care of us. It was too late for that. Even though we had high expectations for trying the Fabada, we decided to leave. A great dining experience includes more than the food. This place should do better than that.

Summary: Overall good, but not outstanding. This place apparently got a little famous and you have to make a reservation at least 2 weeks before, and it’s always full. Based on the reviews, I had high expectations but was a little disappointed. Our experience was that staff was mostly lost in their heads and not very attentive. Food was good not outstanding, portions are big enough to share. Prices were pretty high taking everything in consideration. (e.g. every table has that round bread by default, and you see on the check that it costs almost 6€). Accessibility: entrance is at street level, inside there’s an elevator big enough for a wheelchair to get to the level where the tables are.

Authentic Asturian cuisine in Madrid’s heart (Malasaña) where local people dine in. My favorite dish was without a doubt the octopus with potatoes and oil (pulpo a la gallega). The cheesecake with “orujo” cream on top was delicious too.

Memorable, fun, great service, and delicious food. Our friend took us here to have cider and cachopo- and we enjoyed both. Also had the pulpo to start, and bread the size of a hat. Staff were very attentive and helpful, and the restaurant had a buzzy atmosphere. Interesting austurian decorations about the place too