We did not recently discover Iván Sáez, he was mentioned in the past with Desencaja, his gastronomic debut, where along with travelling cuisine he is dedicated to surprise the restaurant with long-living flavors, in which he claims the wonderful memories the customer holds with the diner and what they eat.
With the same authenticity and putting focus on the products, Iván has opened a space, his second creation called La Tajada, which is only 40 meters from Desencaja. Here you will taste hints of home cooked meals and recipes that last forever, unraveling the Spanish gastronomic culture with classics, fluctuating between the kitchen and hints of oriental recipes that radiate on all four sides.
The customer is seated by a bar where el copeo, el pincho and la tapa co-live in harmony, Iván has a score of dishes available in his menu that are full of pure and sincere gastronomy, where the flavors are the common thread of the gastronomic proposal. With the same authenticity, Iván presents some of the biggest successes, like the croqueta de ibérico, whose strong flavors always astonishes and the ‘matromony’, where anchoa and boquerón unite over a bed of grilled peppers.
Upward values around the return of true origins that Iván has never lost in hindsight and that is made even more accessible; opening up to the world of rations and the plates that are made to share. Made as a culinary experience in respect to Desencaja, where only the sampling menu is served- in three options-, La Tajada resprensents simplicity, the close character of the table and the perfect tone to be enjoying multiple glasses of wine, some suculentosbunuelos de bacalao, a ration of Russian salad and a dessert.
La Tajada is the perfect place for all pockets and all stomachs, with an aroma that reminds you of home, where the closeness with the customers adds to the environment. The menu of the day – made of very generous rations-, puts value in the social aspect included in enjoying gastronomy. In this restaurant customers are hit with the aromas of the sauces and meals which are made to “eat well and simple,” as said by the chef in Spanish. At La Tajada Iván highlights the coexistence of tradition and innovation.
This way you can enjoy the garbanzos estofados con bacalao (chickpeas cooked with cod) that is dedicated to all class of chicken wings that are covered with a tasty oriental sauce has both sweet and spicy flavors. On the international and creative side, the steak tartar that is balanced in seasoning and a perfect honeyed texture that the meat offers. A more national option, although equally as astonishing, is the rice with perequitos- that are similar to the shrimp and is served in many different paellas and makes the flavor of the sea fill all of the Nueva España neighborhood. For the lovers of sweets, an obligatory option is the cheesecake which maintains a creamy texture
La Tajada is also ideal for early risers since the restaurant also serves breakfast and a nonstop attitude that continues during the day to night. In the same space co-lives the night owls that does not turn down good toast with oil and tomato, the lovers of alterne with a pinch of tortilla, the worker to enjoy the menu of the day and those who want good food and a place to hangout after work; all co-living in complete harmony under the leadership of Iván Sáez.
Restaurant La Tajada.
Address: Calle Ramón de Santillán, 15.
Telephone: 91 232 22 04.
Hours: Monday to Friday from 08:00h to 00:00h. Saturdays from 09:30h to 00:00h. Sundays from 09:30h to 18:00h.
Average price: Menu of the day for 12,80€. A la carte is between 25 y 30 euros.
Text: Jaime de las Heras.
Photography: Nacho Alcalde Ruiz.