MADRID, SPAIN. This Italian, hip restaurant has a great vibe and good food. The restaurant specializes in Sardinian Italian food and is filled with interesting art. Two Sardinian immigrants started this very eclectic and cozy restaurant.
The space has a vintage feel and is casual. There is a lot of bicycle influence, with bikes hanging from the ceiling (I also hear that there is a bike cellar in which you can store your bike during your meal). I saw that the Italian ABICIS bike is also on sale for 800 euros.
I ordered a menu of the day for 9,50 euros (11,50 euros during the weekend). My first course was a fried artichoke salad, which was crispy and flavorful. My second course was octopus with rice. The presentation was a little bland, but the flavor was good. The menu also came with a drink, bread, and a very tasty cappuccino.
I hear that their pizzettas are really good, and are priced around three euros. Lasagna is six euros, and pastas vary from five to ten euros. There is also a pizza menu for 10,50 euros, that is a large pizza and a salad. They also serve the Italian beer Ichnusa.
Wi-fi is free. Head north after lunch and walk into Malasaña, a trendy neighborhood full of cafés and boutique stores.
Aió
Calle Corredera Baja de San Pablo, 25
28004 Madrid
aioamadrid.blogspot.com.es
Tel. +34 910 096 469
Neighborhood: Malasaña
Metro Station: Callao, Gran Vía, Tribunal
Hours: Sun to Thur 1:00 pm to 1:00 am
Fri to Sat 1:00 pm to 2:00 am