Diner Amical Café Madrid
By Sue Geary, Vice Chargée de Presse, FWS, IWS, SWS
Event photos by: Laura Wheatley, SWS, IWS
Members and guests of the Salt Lake City Bailliage gathered on the evening of Sunday, March 19 for a casual Spanish dinner at Café Madrid. Café Madrid opened its doors to us on the day of the week that the business is usually closed, so the entire restaurant was ours for the evening.
Café Madrid has been a landmark in Salt Lake City for decades. It holds the honor of being Utah’s first authentic Spanish tapas restaurant, which was originally located at the Black Diamond Center on 3900 South. The restaurant re-opened in 2003 by owners Gabrielle and Todd McAffee. Gabrielle had worked as a server for the original owners. Award-winning Spanish Chef de Cuisine, Nacho Basurto developed the menu. In 2011, the McAffee’s finished a new building at the current location on Highland Drive. Café Madrid has been recognized by Salt Lake Magazine as Best European Restaurant, Most Unique Restaurant, and as Best Café or Bistro. A rotating exhibit of paintings by artist JC Pino adds authenticity of Spanish culture to the dining experience in this beautiful space.
Guests gathered in the beautiful café area for a glass (or more) of 2020 Raventós i Blanc de Nit, Conca del Riu Anoia to enjoy with the Charcuteria of Jamón Serrano, Chorizos de Pamplona y Soria, Queso Manchego, and Patatas Bravas. After a period of greetings and lively conversation, we moved to the main dining hall to be seated among eight tables. Thanks to our creative Vice Charge’ des Médias Cole Johnson, each table was identified by a beautiful placard honoring a renowned Spanish artist.
Our dinner began with a Tortilla Española with Croquetas de Pollo accompanied by a 2021 Noelia Bebelia Albariño, Rias Baixas, Soutomaior, Pontevedra. We are extremely fortunate to have access to this superb wine from this very small producer thanks to Stephanie Cuadra of Terrestoria Imports who brings this wine only to Utah. Another remote and unique wine was paired with our entrée of Seafood Paella. Thanks to Échanson Kasey Dubler for procuring the exquisite 2019 Bodegas Los Bermejos Listan Negro Rosado, Canary Islands, Lanzarote. The next course Solomillo de Buey al Queso Picon de Tresviso was given the perfect companion of 2006 Bodegas Familia Chavarri Izarbe Gran Reserva, D.O.Ca. Rioja. Our meal ended with a Budin Español with the beautiful MV Bodegas Lustau Pedro Ximénez San Emilio Sherry.
Our compliments go to Chef Mario Lugo and his staff for the beautiful meal. We appreciate the assistance and enthusiasm of Manager Diego Ramos, who helped make this event a success.
