La Casa de Manolo Franco

The eponymous owner-chef, who amazed everyone by leaving the world of Formula 1 racing (in which he worked as a journalist) to return to his roots and take over the former family bar, demonstrates ambition, excellent technique and a strong desire to surprise.In this attractive restaurant, with its playful mix of the rustic and modern, Manu Franco focuses on the flavours of the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains, locally sourced meat, aromatic plants (such as thyme and lavender) that he and his team pick every week, and vegetables, all of which are showcased on a tasting menu entitled, called Capricho, which tries to recreate the different meals of the day. This one has three versions: normal, XL and XXL. One dish that we particularly liked was his creamy rice with lamb shoulder, scarlet prawns, holm oak and hazelnut air.