Ahhhh, V-Day. Love is in the airrrrr!!!

Well, maybe. If you don’t eff up the first date.

Ohhh, first dates. A universal phenomenon of nerves, awkwardness, and fear of the unknown. There’s certainly a science to picking the perfect first date spot. A million questions run through the average person’s mind when picking the meeting place; do we get dinner or just drinks? What kind of food does he/she like? A modern or traditional place? A bustling loud bumpin’ spot or a quiet intimate spot? Jeans and a t-shirt or do I put on my too-fly-for-the-sky garb? WHAT DO I WEAR I HAVE NO CLOTHES. Yea, been there…

Lemme guess: You always want the other person to decide on the spot, ’cause that takes the pressure of fallando off you (aka, a big Spanish FAIL).

Well, for this week’s #FridayFinds, you can call me the AWC loooove docta. Why? ‘Cause I found all you Madrid lusters out there, the perfect first date spot! But first, let me explain my criteria:

I was looking for a place that was not too fancy and posh, yet not too cheap and generic (sorry McDonald’s!). A place that has a lively crowd to relieve that initial oh-so-dreaded awkwardness, yet not too  loud that you’re smiling and nodding at what the person’s saying, but really you have no idea in hell what’s coming out of their mouth and you don’t want to ask them to repeat it for the 293738th time… LOL, yea, yea, I’m speaking from experience (…and imagine doing this in your second language. HAH.) You want a place that shows you’re cool and up on the food scene, yet that’s not too trendy nor expensive. And of course, a place that’s got good drinks. So, low and behold lovely lovers. AWC loooove docta precsribes:

Fogg Bar Birras & Cheese in Las Letras neighborhood

This newly opened gourmet cheese and craft beer bar is the perfect, perfectest first date spot. It’s casual, yet cool. It’s warm and intimate feeling inside, yet not too posh. It’s not the cheapest place on the block, yet by no means is it expensive. If you want just drinks, they’ve got an incredible selection of craft beers, all from Spain. Or, if you want something to nibble, you’ve got two options! Stick to the complimentary high-quality mini tapas, accompanied with every beer you order. However, I recommend you go all-out and order one of their specialty “tablas de quesos,” or cheese platters,  complete with gourmet cheeses and embutidos (variations of Spanish jamón and chorizo). From the beer to the cheese, all products are from Spain. So, you can even impress that someone and throw some Spanish craft food fun-facts out there!

Oh, and another plus? You guys know that first date moment of awkwardness when you want to take a really good stare at the menu to pick the perfect thing, but you can’t because it’ll take your concentration away from the person…

C’mon, we’ve all been there! Well, because Fogg Bar is a specialty shop, the menu is limited. So, there’s not much to stare at! Everything is good. And everything is to share, which is a good test to see how you guys work as a couple 😉

The Vibe:

Traditional wooden-bar meets funky, new-school decor. Smiling bartenders, and an upbeat yet mature crowd.

The Food Facts:

THE CHEESE: The seasonal cheese selection is picked from small, artisanal cheese producers from around Spain. Try a generous sampling of Manchego from Extremadura, Roquefort from Asturias, etc. You can even get really into the Spanish cheese culture, by exploring different quesarías from each region: Like “Payoyo” from Cadiz, Caso Campo from Cantabria… The list is never ending.

Disclaimer: I can’t decide if cheese is actually sexy? From a normal person’s standpoint, maybs not. But, c’mon. A person who likes cheese is a person who I like. My mystery cheeseman has immediately passed the test 😉

THE PRICE: 6.50-16 € for a tabla to share

THE CERVEZA: Aside from the long list of bottled beers, there are 10 crafts beers on tap, all from different parts of Spain. Each has labeled next to it the style of beer and the alcohol percentage (good to know on a first date, lol. Drink responsibly, love birds!). And by the chance that this becomes your go-to first date spot (hopefully you’ll only just have one, but in case something goes wrong…), you won’t get sick of the beers! Why? ‘Cause they are constantly rotating their selection, along with the cheeses!

THE PRICE: Ranging between 2.30€- 3.50€ for a small

TOTAL PRICE? About 30€ for two.

So, my little hopeless romantics…Stress no more! When it comes to a first date in Madrid, gourmet beer and cheese can never fail. And if it does, well, you’re too awesome and they weren’t meant for you! Oh, and one last thing; when your first date special-someone is wooed by your spot selection, no need to credit looove docta AWC.

It was all you 😉

FIND IT: Important!! There are two “Fogg Bars.” The one you want is Calle de Moratin, 5.

Fogg Bar Birras & Cheese

Metro: Anton Martin

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 7 PM- Midnight. Saturday & Sunday 7 PM- 2 AM

Phone:  +34 918 21 38 04 (However, don’t worry. No reservation needed.)

Do you know of a perfect first date spot in Madrid? Where’s the best first date you’ve been on? Share yo’ love lustin’ stories! Or, #FridayFinds on Twitter or Insta to tell the world about it 😉