MADRID METROPOLITAN May - June, 2019 | Vol. XIX Madrid in English www.madridmetropolitan.com @metropolimadrid /MadridMetropolitan Food & The new best place in town for Love? a Blind Date at Malafemmina CRAFTp12 BEER Top ten PLUS: KIDS' See Yola READSp17 play live! One night in town! JIM“My fatherGAFFIGAN was from Sweden & my mother was Interview Elton p14 John.” FREE EVENTS • FOOD • ART • CULTURE Welcome to our newly styled latest edition ... he darling buds of May heralds the new style Tof the Madrid Metropolitan – ably brought together by our new team member and designer Piers, whose work we hope you enjoy as much as we do. In this, our 19th printed edition we have an exclusive interview and ticketing offer for the Jim Gaffigan show coming to Madrid in July. We take a peek at Madrid's newest craft ale pub, take a tour of the Bernabéu and single out the best children's books at the Retiro Book Fair. That and a whole lot else. We do hope you enjoy it. Olaf Clayton Olaf Clayton, Publisher Skyline of Madrid by Barcex on Flickr.com 2 MAY/JUNE 2019 THE MADRID METROPOLITAN AD FEATURE Skyline of Madrid by Barcex on Flickr.com 2 MAY/JUNE 2019 THE MADRID METROPOLITAN THE MADRID METROPOLITAN MAY/JUNE 2019 3 – For your chance to bag a hamper of WIN A HAMPER! spanish delicacies May - June, 2019 go to page 30. Contents 6-7 8-9 Who’s writing this month? BornCatalina in Madrid, Brennan a true acuarian and tireless traveler. I have trained in the kitchens of the world and in the Basque Culi- nary Center. My cooking is international and full of contrasts and flavours. I love the closeness of dealing with the client and the instant feedback offered by cookery workshops, showcookings and working as a personal Chef. My life philosophy is that of Japa- nese “Kaizen”, (continuous improvement) which makes me unable to keep still Katharine has Cannings spent the last 15 years developing teaching projects and program- mes for encouraging 20-22 reading in English in schools and libraries all over Spain. She is the founder of La Hora del Cuento, a storytelling and theatre company specialised in English activities in schools. She is also the director of Glow Learning, a book distributor which provides a consultancy service to the education sector for English language books and resources. She is passionate about children’s literature, travel and tapas, and is the mum of two 12-13 11 bilingual children. 2 Welcome from the Publisher 18 Wine report: The native grapes Amy Shia An “Alice” in Won- 5 My Madrid making a comeback in León derland in Madrid. 6-7 Events: See Yola play live. 19 Business: The economic woes of Contributing to Madrid 8-9 A Bluffer’s Guide to the Bullfight millennials Metropolitan about the 10 Party Pics 20-22 Health and Wellbeing: A 5-minute incredible sights and meditation; plus childbirth options; delights; have a cat, met 11 Food & Love?: A blind date at Malafemmina a Tai chi makeover; Filipino workers’ some queens, still in self defence club and a new hospital search of my Madhatter. 12-13 Craft beer: Oso Brew Co.’s new bar 23 Eating & Drinking Top Picks 14 Jim Gaffigan interview 24-25 Property sales and lettings 16 Gastro Experiences with Catalina Brennan 26 Mad for Merengue: Real Madrid Tours 17 Top 10 kids’ books 27-29 Classified section MADRID METROPOLITAN Madrid in English READ ONLINE: EDICIÓN DE REVISTAS. Views expressed in www.madridmetropolitan.com Madrid Metropolitan are the opinions of the PUBLISHER: Olaf Clayton Find us on: writers and are not necessarily endorsed by the publishers. Although we make every SALES: Jenny Osborne For the opportunity to publicise your effort to quote the correct prices and ope- DESIGN: Piers Parlett (www.piers.es) business or your event, contact Olaf ning hours for establishments mentioned in Clayton the magazine, it is possible some may have WEBSITE: Tom Lyons [email protected] changed since we went to press. All adverti- CONTRIBUTORS: Catalina Brennan, PUBLISHED BY: PENINSULAR HOLDING CO. sements are published in good faith. Madrid Roger Pike, Amy Shia, Luke Darracott, CIF:B85761344 Calle Isabel Colbrand 10, Metropolitan cannot accept responsibility Elliot Pigott, Katharine Cannings, Pa- Planta 5 - Oficina 151, 28050 Madrid Tomo: for errors or omissions in individual ads or accept responsibility for work, services or trick Tuck, David Ross, Evelyn Klamer 27.630 Folio: 1 Sección: 8 Hoja: M497912. La edición, redacción, impresión, publicación, goods. distribución, venta y explotación publicita- Madrid Metropolitan is published by Penin- ria de periódicos y revistas con el CNAE 5814 sular Holding Co. 4 MAY/JUNE 2019 THE MADRID METROPOLITAN MY MADRID Stories from people who love living here JACOB, from Poland ALEJANDRA, from The Netherlands 1. What inspiredIt happened you to sort make of organicallythe move to 1. What inspiredAs unoriginal you to asmake it may the movebe ... the to andMadrid? I’m not sure how much thinking went weatherMadrid? and the lifestyle were no doubt into it. To cut a long story short, I was the final factors. But being half Spanish enamoured with Spain from an early age, was the initial reason to try it out 3 years endeavoured to learn the language and I ago, just to get to know my roots a little got proficient enough to enter University better. in Spain. Initially the South was my first chance, but I chose Madrid because it’s Having2. What amakes Spanish Madrid mother “Home” thus beingfor you? the capital and the perfect place for an familiar with customs has helped me feel right at home very 18-year-old. I got my plane ticket and never looked back. quickly, but more so, after moving around a lot I have finally They say that home is whe- settled in a nice apartment with my boyfriend. 2. What makes Madrid “Home” for you? re your heart is. For me though finding home is a bit like finding I would definitely like there to out whether a relationship works for you or not – whether it stands be3. What more could parks, the or citygreen have areas more in general.of? Also, my Dutch side can’t the test or time. I arrived in Spain at the onset of the crisis but I help but ask for the city to be a bit more bicycle friendly. managed to keep my head above water. I’ve been here through Pollution no doubt! thick and thin now for 11 years. 4. What could the city have less of? Employment 3. What could the city have more of? 5. What pieceIf you’re of advice in Madrid would youto stay give longer a foreigner term, whilsttry your they best are to Pollution and mass tourism. in Madrid? 4. What could the city have less of? make friends with some locals to avoid the typical tourist traps. Learning the language as quickly as possible will certainly help, 5. What pieceTry some of advice volunteering would you work give to a meetforeigner the locals. whilst they are in but don’t be disappointed if it may result difficult as generally Madrid? I love my first coffee in the morning with the Madrid locals aren’t as open to include new people as one may Polish6. What Sunday gives you paper. joy? A cruasán a la plancha also hits the spot. think and more so if they don’t speak Spanish. The sun and no-sweater weather ... which It tears my heart out how insensitive 6. What gives you joy? people7. What can bothers be and you how the money-orientedmost? our day-to-day lives are. brings me back to my decision to move from Amsterdam to Madrid. It was a great move! Rebel with a Cause 8. If your life was a film, what’d be the title? Inconsiderate people. Being kind to James Dean – if he had a cause. 7. What bothers you the most? 9. And finally, who would play you? one another will just make life a little nicer for us all dog waste on the street as you shouldn’t have to run a constant ELLIOT, from the UK assault course especially at night. 1. What inspiredI had been you workingto make aroundthe move Europe to a 5. What piece of advice would you give a foreigner whilst they are forMadrid? a couple of years and I wanted to live I would just say don’t get worked up by the pace of in Madrid? in one place for a bit. A friend of mine everything- one of the reasons I live in Madrid is that you have suggested I come to Madrid as it was the everything you need from a capital city but the pace is a lot slower- best place to find teaching work and that so don’t get too stressed if certain things take longer than they was 4 years ago! would in another city. I have recently got my own bike so one of 6. What gives you joy? My2. What local makes area Conde Madrid Duque “Home” makes for you?Madrid the things recently that gives me the most joy is riding around the home for me. When I tell people where I live a lot of people do not city especially Retiro and Caso de Campo – although I have realised know about and for me it feels like I am living in a little village in Spanish drivers aren’t that concerned about cyclists! the middle of a capital city. I like walking around and bumping into The thing that bothers me the most people I know in the area and it is also home to best bar in Madrid are7.