It’s Madrid #FridayFinds Carnival edition!!

Yep, that’s right! This week is Spain’s big “Carnaval” week, and today is the national KICK OFF! While the entire country celebrates Carnaval with parades in the streets, crazy costumes and loud music, there is one city that takes the cake for the biggest, best, most famous celebration across the country: CADIZ!

I spent last year’s Carnaval in Cadiz  with Guacamommy, and lemme tell ya’: it was nothing short of loco.However, we’re not all lucky enough to be able to make it to Cadiz for the big week. While Madrid isn’t particularly known for its Carnaval celebration, no fear: I’ve brought Cadiz to Madrid. How? By no other way, than its FOOD!

Other than Cadiz’s beautiful coast, balmy breezes and historical plazas, it’s known for one massive thing: its fried fish.

Fried cod, fried anchovies, fried baby squid, fried prawns, fried calamari…

If you can fish it, they can fry it.

So, I “fished” the seas of Madrid for a culinary Cadiz gem, and by golly, I caught one! But not just any one: shipmates, we got a BIG one.

It’s called Lambuzo.

Just a short three years ago, Señor García and his family moved from Cadiz to Madrid. His mom, dad and siblings packed up their things and trucked it on over to the big city. Why? Opportunities, of course! Opportunities to show the rest of Spain, and the world their beloved Cadiz cuisine. All of the products are straight from Cadiz, and the desserts? All made by the love of Mama, each and every morning.

The Vibe

Trendy cool, yet homie Spanish at the same time. While it’s more modern and chic than your typical Spanish tapas bar, the vibe is still cozy and familiar. During lunchtime, you’ll find Spanish families and business peeps on a (long) lunch break enjoying tapas and wine. At night, the place gets bumpin’ with young groups of friends and couples enjoying vinos, beers and tapas while standing at the high top bar tables. MEN: This is a perfect date place (HINT HINT).

The Specialties:

 Pescaíto Frito (Fried fish, of course!)

We ordered the classic Acedias (mini fried flounder) super typical from Cadiz. If you want to try a lil’ bit of everything, order the combo plate, with a sample of each! WARNING: These little fishies have not been deboned . If you want to learn how to eat a fish with bones still intact, read how I learned. No science to it, just animal intuition.

Fish Croquetas

As we know based on past #FridayFinds, croquetas are nothin’ novel to Madrid. But done like THIS, no tiene nada que ver (English: “ain’t got nothin’ on those others”). Like every good food blogger should, I tried ’em all. Garlic shrimp croquetas, Iberian sausage with baby garlic, shrimp tortilla, and the mystery fish special. All finger lickin’ good.

Mojama con pimienta, lima y aciete (Cured tuna with pepper, lime and olive oil)

The waitress described it as “cured tuna; it’s like our version of jamón! Not that you could ever replace jamón…“. HAHA. Lady speaks the truth. But it was darn deFISHious (sorry guys, the pun had to be done…)

Other highlights to keep in mind: Hamburgesita de robo de toro (oxtail slider), berenjenas con salmerejo y miel de caña (fried eggplant in salmorejo sauce and honey).

And don’t forget dessert! After all, mama made it! And if mama makes it, you have to eat it. With a bottle of orange wine from Cadiz, of course.

Forget Carnaval WEEK in Cadiz! We can celebrate it every day of the YEAR here in Madrid, gracias to Lombuzo! Just make sure you show up in costume 😉

Find it (NOTE: There are now two locations. I went to the Opera one)

Calle de Las Conchas, 9  (Opera or Callao metro)

OR

Calle Ponzano 8 (Metro Alonso Cano)

Have you been to Carnaval in Cadiz? Have you eaten Cadiz style fried fish before? Do you know of another good place to find Cadiz cuisine here in Madrid? I’m fishin’ for your reply!