Only 7 tables and a menu that changes with each season. That is the bet of Bolboreta, the bistro in Lavapiés that has entered the Michelin Guide, as a novelty in Madrid in the fusion category. Its cuisine combines Spanish and British traditions and its name means “butterfly” in Galician, in honor of the chef’s grandmother’s favorite insect.
Located at 8 Ave María Street, a few steps from Antón Martín Market, it is an intimate and cozy space, where the protagonists are local, seasonal and freshly cooked products. According to the Michelin Guide itself, what stands out most is the complicity of the couple at the helm of Bolboreta: Patricia Grandío, the head waitress, and Aaron Quaife, the chef who can be seen behind the stoves of an open kitchen.
A slow-cooked dream
The story of Bolboreta is that of Patricia Grandío and Aaron Quaife, which began more than ten years ago in London. She, a Galician, left Spain to work in hospitality, where she fell in love with the trade and met the chef who would become her husband and business partner. For his part, the British Aaron Quaife had a clear vocation as a chef since he was a child.
The two first worked together at Odette’s, Bryn Williams ‘ restaurant in London, and later worked in the kitchens and dining rooms of DSTAgE and Dspeak, owned by chef Diego Guerrero, and for a brief period at Ravioxo, owned by Dabiz Muñoz.
The inspiration for entrepreneurship came when a friend and colleague of Aaron’s decided to open the Adelina Yard restaurant in Bristol. Both he and Patricia decided to help them in this process and were fascinated by how to create a restaurant from scratch.
They moved to Madrid and took advantage of the pandemic to define their business plan. Although they had many difficulties finding a location that met their needs, they finally found one in Lavapiés and opened Bolboreta in November 2023.
To the rhythm of nature
The restaurant seats about 15 diners and has a menu that is renewed seasonally to adapt to seasonal products. In 2024 they were recognized by TheFork Awards due to the good valuation of the public, in an application in which they have a score of 9.9 out of 10.
Although the average price per person to eat is about 50 euros, in their menu we can find dishes from 5 euros as the cod and cucumber brandade. Also for this price you can try their chicken liver parfait, served on a crumpet, a spongy bread roll typical of the United Kingdom and ideal for spreading creams.
And finally, their star dessert is the “SPT”, Sticky Toffee Pudding, which is a date sponge cake accompanied by baked apple, fresh apple and Meadowsweet ice cream, a wild flower. It is the only preparation they always keep on their menu and the favorite of many customers.
