Page 76 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL SUMMER 2022 DISCOVERING MADRID
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La Casa del Abuelo,
With just a few bites, we knew why La Casa del actors and prominent writers (probably Heming-
Abuelo is famous. way) of the time were walking through the doors
Open in 1906, this classic tapas bar first sold to try their shrimp dishes. Many of their rich and
sandwiches, pastries and a sweet red wine, El famous customers are memorialized in photos
Abuelo. But a bread shortage during the civil war that line the high walls.
forced the owners to go in another direction. In Like countless visitors before us, our tour
the 1940s, they introduce grilled shrimp and a group bellied up to small tables as waiters deliv-
glass of wine for less than a nickel. Later, they ered sizzling terracotta casseroles of shrimp
added garlic to the shrimp, creating gambas de swimming in olive oil and garlic, Sweet and suc-
ajillo, which proved a big hit. In one day they sold culent, they matched the chilled wine perfectly.
675 pounds of shrimp to hungry customers. We would have ordered seconds, but it was early
Word spread outside of Spain and it wasn’t in the tour and we knew better. A return visit
long before politicians, bullfighters and famous was a must.
76 WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE SUMMER 2022
