Paris1972-Versailles2003

This is a must for me to tell you , as again found older new pictures in my blog , and should be here. One of the emblematic restaurants of Madrid, the world comes here yes, but still a lot of flavor to find the great traditional Spanish cuisine. I have been coming here since a child and as a teen with my dear late Mom Gladys, and then came back with my dear late Dad Elio, dear late wife Martine and the boys ; I have come back again with the boys, Oh well its an institution in Madrid and in my household. I had bits of info in other posts and put them all together in this one with the history, Therefore, let me tell you about Las Cuevas de Luis Candela of Madrid, Hope you enjoy the post as I.

Las Cuevas de Luis Candela is located at Calle Cuchilleros ,1  past the Arco de Cuchilleros, and just after or before stepping into the Plaza Mayor , This was the restaurant first took my girlfriend later wife in Madrid, Las Cuevas de Luis Candela , and repeat visits over the years; memories forever here. The best Castilian and roask suckling pig at its very best in wood oven. A family tradition going back to my stayed in Madrid in the 70’s.The restaurant’s golden book has the signatures of Ava Gardner, Orson Welles, Charlton Heston, Jimmy Carter and Salvador Dalí amongst others,

In Las Cuevas de Luis Candelas the local Madrid traditions and customs that give rise to its gastronomic tradition have been recovered. It is one of the restaurants with the most history in Madrid, it was founded in 1949, and recreates the situation of the time, since the place where it is located served back in 1825 as a lair and shelter for one of the most famous bandits in Madrid: Luis Candelas. It is located fifty meters from the Plaza Mayor, near one of its best-known entrances: the Arco de Cuchilleros.

Ok the restaurant serve traditional Castilian food and loaded decorated with period parapharnelia which gives it a cozy feeling and adds to the place, Needless, to say we love it and recommended, However, who is really Luis Candela ? Well read on,,,,

He came into the world back in 1804, on Calle Calvario (calvary st), in a carpentry shop, a business run by his father, within a family that, although not very well-off, certainly lived without financial hardship. He was a cultured and refined bandit, since he was an experienced reader, while he liked to dress well and displayed exquisite manners. So much so that when he lost his father, instead of continuing with the family business, he dedicated himself to being a bookseller. Later he would combine his insidious work, which he made known to him, with a position in the sequence of the Madrid Tobacco Shelter.  His time in prison, an establishment that he knew very well, since he had six escapes to his credit, brought him rubbing shoulders with the political class. There he met Salustiano Olózaga, who would be his benefactor for his foray into the world of Freemasonry.

Perhaps driven by ambition or daring, he made this sophisticated bandit undertake two great feats, which in turn would become two great unforgivable mistakes. One of them would be the assault on the French Ambassador’s diligence, gathering not only jewelry, but also documents of transcendent value and very compromising. And the second, and no less important, would be to rob the workshop of the influential dressmaker of the then regent queen Maria Cristina. His adventures did not go very far, and once he was notified of the search and arrest warrant for him, he was detained in the Valladolid province town of Alcazarén. Already in the hands of justice, he does not leave the province of Valladolid, to be transferred first to Valdestillas, and then to Valladolid. Finally, and to put an end to his adventures, he will end up in Madrid, and after being put on trial on November 2, 1837, he will be sentenced to capital punishment: being executed by garrote. He requests clemency from the sovereign regent, but far from provoking any kind of forgiveness, it was denied. Showing off his gallantry and bizarreness to the end, legend and history attribute to this unique character the famous phrase that he uttered moments before being executed: Goodbye, my country, be happy !! A true legend of Madrid !!

The official Las Cuevas de Luis Candela Resto:  https://lascuevasdeluiscandelas.com/english/

The Madrid tourist office on Las Cuevas de Luis Candela resto : https://www.esmadrid.com/en/restaurants/las-cuevas-de-luis-candelas

The RestaurantGuru reviews on Las Cuevas de Luis Candela : https://restaurantguru.com/Las-Cuevas-de-Luis-Candelas-Madrid

There you go folks, this is nostalgic memorable spot again for me as Madrid is full of them, It is a wonderful place do not be misled lots of tourists here but all Spanish, And then a great area for late night walks on the Plaza Mayor ; can’t beat the experience, me think, Again, hope you enjoy the post on the Las Cuevas de Luis Candela of Madrid as I.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!