Gigi C.
Yelp
Beautiful, Beautiful, Delicious, Delicious, and Delicious....is all I can think of as I sit down to write this review after my recent trip to Madrid.
We were staying about 15 minutes from downtown Madrid as my husband and I were attending an event for about a week. Several times we took a cab into the city for dinner and it was ok...but then I found Filandon on Yelp! I wish I had looked sooner...and I ate there three times, each time with a new person added to the group, in one week! Yes it was that good.
At first I was a bit skeptical because we were outside of the city and well I figured it was just going to be a local cafe of sorts...and we were so wrong-this is a delicious, gourmet, beautiful experience! It is also a place to see beautiful people!
As you walk inside they have a giant grill where they are cooking fresh whole fish, inside glass walls, that let you see into the spotless kitchen. Also, we were greeted by hostesses who were very helpful and friendly even though we only knew a bit of Spanish. A little further in they lay out/display fresh vegetables, fishes, breads in a stunning display showing the freshness of what they are offering.
Every evening we sat outside on what is one of the most beautiful and well planned out terraces. They have heaters and even blankets should you get a bit chilly later into the evening. The first night we did not realize they had english menu's (I was translating from the online english one) but were offered them later on another evening. The fresh whole sole is the dish of the house and yes...I ate it three times in one week. The burrata and grilled squid were simply delicious. Many dishes were tried throughout the week and the only one I wasn't that impressed with was the asparagus/tomato salad....which wasn't bad since between three nights and several people we tried just about everything there was to have on the menu.
The wait staff was incredibly attentive, helpful, and patient with us and our broken Spanish. They have gluten free options and you can ask (and they will bake up) fresh gluten free bread.
I highly recommend trying this restaurant off the beaten path!
Twice we did not have reservations and once we did as they get very busy after 10 pm!