Some restaurants are attractive for their decor, their atmosphere, or what is now defined as the experience they offer; others stand out for an exquisite menu that’s hard to replicate; and there are a few where the chef’s name serves as the main draw. StreetXO has all these attractions, but it also has the unique feature of not taking reservations, so you can only get in if you’re willing to wait in line at the entrance.
To get around this minor inconvenience, American Express has created Dining for Two with an exclusive menu for Platinum, Business Platinum, and Centurion cardholders, in collaboration with some of the city’s most exclusive restaurants, including Urrechu, Leña, and, of course, one of Dabiz Muñoz’s most popular restaurants.
A menu designed for sharing
The Dining for Two format works almost like a succession of courses arriving at the table at a steady pace, designed for sharing, alternating between crunchy textures and sweeter bites, tangy flavors that awaken the palate, and almost always a touch of spice. There’s no need to study the menu: you sit down, choose a cocktail, and the kitchen begins to tell its story.
The atmosphere does the rest, thanks to the open kitchen, loud music, and waiters dressed in the classic straitjacket that has become a symbol of the XO group. There are no tablecloths or silverware; here, you come to eat with your hands, and getting messy is practically guaranteed to be part of the experience.
A combination worthy of Dabiz Muñoz
In total, including dessert, there are 10 courses, but the octopus takoyaki with Parmesan is a dish that first captivates the eyes, with a carefully crafted, almost theatrical presentation, and then the nose, with that aroma—somewhere between smoky and creamy—that signals that what’s to come is anything but subtle. The octopus, tender and grilled to perfection, rests on a creamy cheese base that adds depth and a touch of richness that envelops the entire dish.
At the other end of the menu, the Japanese-Mexican salmon crudo with pico de gallo ponzu, accompanied by crispy nori and tapioca. Far from textbook sashimi; here the salmon is cut with care, with a fat that melts in your mouth, and the seaweed adds that salty, mineral nuance that transports you right to the seashore. The citrus sauces and dressings elevate the dish without overpowering the ingredients.
If there’s one dish you’ll want to order again, it’s the pork belly bo ssam. Here, StreetXO embraces hedonism: melt-in-your-mouth pork belly, with the fat perfectly rendered so it’s a pleasure rather than a burden, accompanied by pickled mussels, plus the leaves or bases on which to assemble the bite to your liking. It’s one of those dishes that requires getting your hands a little dirty and turns the table into a small assembly line.
Cocktails: from Pedroche’s egg to apple with matcha
At StreetXO, cocktails aren’t an afterthought—they’re part of the story. The famous Huevo de la Pedroche remains one of the most show-stopping drinks and was ordered at quite a few tables. It’s a cocktail designed for the photo op, but also for those who enjoy sweet and tart combinations.
However, the one that really sticks in your memory is the apple and matcha cocktail. Compared to other, more elaborate offerings, this one stands out for its balance: the apple brings freshness and a touch of acidity that awakens the palate, while the matcha introduces an elegant bitterness and a vegetal undertone that makes the drink linger.
An intimate experience that doesn’t feel contrived
The beauty of this Dining for Two is that, despite stemming from a collaboration with American Express, it doesn’t feel like a contrived product. The sequence of dishes flows seamlessly, the cocktails complement the menu, and the real stars of the show are the cuisine, the front-of-house team, and the unique atmosphere of StreetXO.
By the end of the night, the feeling is that of having attended a full-length performance: a beginning, a climax, and a denouement in the form of a crispy bite or a final sip of green apple and matcha. And the certainty that, at this Madrid bar with its sights set on Asia, Latin America, and everything else that comes its way, few things are more fun than letting yourself be carried away by a menu designed for two… even if you leave with the impression that, in reality, there were three of you: you, your companion, and the kitchen, conspiring together for a couple of hours.
