Issue #6 - 1st - 7th June
El Papa, tortilla y helado
Big news this week. Yes, it’s the first week of June (ya!), but that’s not it.
Madrid is expecting a very special visitor este finde.
Even if you’re not the most pious, and the ola de calor has left you with some questionable wardrobe choices, all shall be redeemed: Pope Leo XIV is coming!
In other holy news, over in the UK, Dua Lipa and Callum Turner dieron el sí quiero (they got married)! She looked chic, and he looked happy to be there.
Naturally, celebrations are in order, and we have some suggestions to get you going.
Starting off strong with some pop-ups (como siempre), followed by shop openings and cheap transport options throughout the city, and beyond - mostly gratis.
La Manso shop opens - The Barcelona-based brand has officially opened it’s doors in Madrid. Seems only right it comes to the mejor Spanish city jeje. And, where would be more fitting than the pijas stomping ground - Salamanca (Claudio Coello 58, Madrid). Fair warning, it’s un poco caro. But, luckily their rings, bangles and earrings are quite the statement piece. One would be more than enough. F x
Revu Market second-hand clothing event - If you love fashion and finding new pieces, but feel guilty every time you open your wardrobe, this event is for you. At this second hand clothes pop-up, you can shop as well as sell (though you’d have to rent a stall) in the name of circular fashion. You’ll find it at OHM Espacio on 6th June, from 11:30am until 8pm in Calle de las Delicias, 20, 28045 Madrid (Arganzuela neighborhood, a few minutes from Atocha station). Free entry. F x
Plant pop up - This weekend (Friday 5th to Sunday 7th) you’ll be able to go to a different kind of pop up, one that might leave you feeling a little less guilty - a plant one! It’s in Espacio 23, Calle del Gral. Oráa, 23, Salamanca. It’s open from around 11am to 6pm (each day is a un poco different), and you have to reserve a free timeslot to go. F x
Redken Hair Studio pop-up - Practically everyone has been green with envy at the sight of Sabrina Carpenter’s luscious golden locks cascading from the glossy pink Redken billboards across the city. Bueno, now the brand are giving you the chance to achieve hair glory at their first ever Madrid pop-up this weekend 5th to the 6th June at C/ Montserrat, 26. There will be a styling bar, gifts and hair diagnosis. Entrance is free but you must register to confirm attendance. G x
De Castro Moda pop-up - When the AC at home is failing, the best place to head is to the shops (or, at least, that’s how I’m rationalising it). And if you’re seeking some refreshment with a side of luxury fashion then De Castro Moda are taking over the Flabelus store (C/ Serrano, 82) from the 5th to the 7th June 10:30am until 20pm. Founded by Colombian designer Virginia Borrero de Castro, the ready-to-wear label blends vibrant Latin American silhouettes with Asian craftmanship. Each garment is handmade in India and the summer collection promises bold colours, beautiful prints and exquisite embroidery (alongside a €500 price tag ¡madre mía!).
Casa Latina x Camila Basurco pop-up - And if you want to discover even more Latin American brands, Hotel Urso is hosting a Casa Latina x Camila Basurco pop-up 5th-7th June 11am to 8pm, with many more beautiful pieces to browse. G x
Free transport in Madrid! - The Vatican’s on tour and the city just got its most bless-ed visitor! In an effort to curb the crowds flocking to see his holiness, EMT buses and Bicimad will be free from the 3rd to the 9th June. Take to the streets for some pope-spotting or pedal away from the chaos to a different kind of heaven, perhaps along the Madrid Río to Casa de Campo. G x
Bryan Stepwise sample sale - If you’re after some fashionable well-made summer sandals then this pop-up is for you! Bryan Stepwise will be at C/ Montesa, 39 from 5th-7th June 11.00-21.00, with over 4000 pairs of their beautiful leather shoes (handcrafted in Spain)- with some designs being exclusively available at the pop-up. Prices range from €30 (sandals) to €60 (boots) and, having perused their website, I know it’s going to be hard to practice self-restraint! G x
Renfe AVE summer offer - If you want to swap the city’s heat for a coastal breeze, Renfe’s summer high speed train superprecios are the tickets for you. For train journeys between the 22nd of June and the 13th of September go for a little as 7€. You can get a return to Valencia in early July for 14€. You need to book by the 4th, do son’t hang about. F x
Food Glorious Food
Pez Tortilla
Admittedly, I’m not loco for Spanish food.
However a good tortilla de patata is the key to this girl’s heart. Give me until December and the total number of tortillas I’ve ploughed through this past year will soar to tally triple digits, I assure you.
So, I think it’s fairly safe to say that - despite 80% of tortillas consumed having been sourced from Aldi - I’m somewhat of a connoisseur.
And if you’re anti-onion, whilst I envy your untainted breath, I severely judge you.
Thank Dios for Pez Tortilla: being cheap, delicious and authentic, it compromises on nada.
At their original location on C/Pez, people pile into the tiny store to share a quick bite with friends - the atmosphere being just as joyful as the food.
As their motto goes: “There are two types of people in life: Those who like their tortilla de patata runny and those who don’t have a clue about life.”
And here, they get creative. Normally they have six or seven different variations on the classic Spanish dish to choose from- por ejemplo brie, truffle and jamón or my personal favourite, goats cheese, caremelised onion and rocket, alongside a selection of equally mouth-watering croquetas.
Paired with one of their craft beers or a glass of vermouth, you can’t go wrong. For a pincho and bebida, expect to pay around €7. G x
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!!
Frankly, in this heat, it’s an imperative to indulge in the ritual of a daily gelato - por orden médica. Here is a rundown, and ranking, of three of our faves across the cuidad.
Lolli Gelato C/Palafox 16
Newly opened, Lolli Gelato in Chamberí is fun, fresh, and focused on producing quality authentic Italian gelato. The sight of pozzetti - lidded metal tubs that are the authentic Italian vessels for gelato - is always the ultimate green flag. I knew I was in for a treat. I paired a scoop of apricot, honey and almond sorbet with the ricotta straciatella and both were deliciously creamy and light, with no cloying artificial sweetness.
To keep the tastebuds tingling, Lolli releases a new flavour weekly (recently watermelon margarita, as well as a peanut butter, banana bread and chocolate special). There’s a small but chic seating area inside, or Plaza Olavide is only a few steps away.
Heladería Tutti Frutti Cta/San Vicente 22
Feeling like Jesus after walking in the desert for forty days post a Casa de Campo swim sesh, I was practically delirious dragging myself up the hill in 35 grados and praying for a miracle. Heladería Tutti Frutti appeared like a beacon of light.
Panting, I ordered a granizado de café (gulped down in 0.2 seconds) and exercised self-control in allowing myself a quick glance at the gelato counter. What followed was a second glance, a third, and then a hard stare. Black sesame…green tea…sangría? I was convinced I was hallucinating in the heat.
Opened in 1949, Heladería Tutti Frutti have cemented their status as gelato gods. Their creativity shines in their rotation of over two-hundred 100% natural gelatos and sorbets. Amongst the weird and wonderful, they also offer the more traditional fan-favourites, such as pistachio and dulce de leche. Located at the foot of El Templo de Debod, it’s a perfect pre-sunset pitstop. G x
Colosso Gelato e Caffè, Plaza de Sta. Bárbara, 6, Centro
Walking inside after being in the sun always blinds you a little, but the bright lights and dizzying array of flavours at Colosso only added to the effect.
I was salivating at the swirls of pistacchio chip, ferero and peaks of the lemon pie, and before I could even say cono, I screamed: dos bolas.
I’m a little ashamed to admit that I got one scoop of the chocolate Dubai flavour (please don’t tell my nonna). I went for my go-to next: dark chocolate sorbet. If you haven’t tried this yet, thank me later (I won’t stand for any chocolate ice-cream slander until you’ve tried this flavour!)
A budget might make this order hurt un poquito. Close your eyes while you pay. At least, that’s what I did. It was a little pricey, but ¡Dios mío! it was celestial.
I sat in Plaza de Santa Bárbara and pedalled away on one of the benches in an attempt to counteract any damage I had caused with my greed.
It made me feel a bit better to see I wasn’t the only culprit, as little ice-cream spoons littered the floor. I managed to hobble over to the bin after, and so should you!
I would recommend going with a friend, just so you can try double the flavours. F x
Bye for now, Tacañas. We’ll be back next week with some more recommendations. Nos vemos!
G and F x
Oh my goodness, so much going on this week. I need to make sure I do things in the right order to prevent potential disastrous concequences, ie swimming before the hair products, sorting my hair out before my selfie with the pope (highly likely a pope selfie advertisement as the free bus pases by), but hey I need to look my best, and to savour the many scoops of gelato until after the selfie, so that I do not produce a photo of me with various shades of gelato around mouth. I must add, I do love the idea of a bit of peddling whilst eating gelato. Thank you G and F another bumper addition!