<a href="http://myplanetavino.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/aris-bar-menu.jpg" title="The Aris Bar for wine and tapas in Madrid"><img align="right" src="http://myplanetavino.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/aris-bar-menu.jpg" alt="The Aris Bar for wine and tapas in Madrid" /></a>El Chaflan is one of the most famous restaurants in Madrid and in a real sign of the times they have opened a tapas bar called the Aris Bar to make their expensive “alta cocina” more accessible to the rest of us.  We checked it out this weekend and despite some problems, had a very good experience.  On the good side the food and wines are excellent, on the downside is the décor and ambiance, which resembles an upscale fast food restaurant like the Fast Good chain.  El Chaflan is located in a hotel and when we entered, we saw what resembles a modernistic hotel breakfast room.  We asked the waiter where the tapas bar was and to our surprise he said: “Here!”  Sadly, there is no actual bar, it is just a plain room with modern plastic furniture.  Despite our dismay, we proceeded.  The service was indifferent at first though eventually the waiter <a href="http://myplanetavino.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/aris-bar-steak-tartare.jpg" title="Steak tartare tapa at Aris Bar Madrid"></a>warmed up to us.  The menu is divided into two pages…traditional tapas and special El Chaflan modern tapas.  We stuck to the modern tapas and ordered several…they are very small and meant for one, but we preferred to order many and split them anyway.  All of them were delicious without exception.  In the finger sandwiches we tried three types:  Torta del Casar cheese with truffle oil, sobresada with lemon jam, <a href="http://myplanetavino.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/aris-bar-steak-tartare.jpg" title="Steak tartare tapa at Aris Bar Madrid"><img align="left" src="http://myplanetavino.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/aris-bar-steak-tartare.jpg" alt="Steak tartare tapa at Aris Bar Madrid" /></a>and smoked eel with mascarpone….seriously unusual but wonderful combinations!  Amongst the pinchos we tried the anchoa and boquerone toast, which is commonly called matrimonio, matching the salt cured anchoa with the vinegar cured boquerone.  This was a creative twist on that with tomato and pesto…really lovely.  We had a tiny plate of steak tartar served with a sweet/savory ice cream…a delicious contrast of savory, spicy, cold, and sweet.  The tuna tartare with avocado is a modern classic…here they add some fish roe and some crunchy fried bits that add lovely texture.  The octopus ceviche was tender, oniony and tart with a lovely sweet and creamy mousse of maracuyá fruit on <a href="http://myplanetavino.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/aris-bar-anchoa-boqueron.jpg" title="Anchovy tapa at Aris Bar in Madrid"><img align="right" src="http://myplanetavino.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/aris-bar-anchoa-boqueron.jpg" alt="Anchovy tapa at Aris Bar in Madrid" /></a>top….spectacular!  The wine list is short but interesting…I had a decent Alsatian Pinot Blanc by the glass….almost impossible to find in Madrid.  The wines by the glass are expensive but the pours are generous and there are many Champagnes by the glass as well.  The prices by the bottled are not bad at all. The location is a bit isolated so you should plan to come and stay, but the food and wine definitely make up for the bland décor and lack of atmosphere…come with a  group of friends and you can make your own!  I’m be returning to try some cocktails, more tapas and also to try the 15€ prix fixe lunch menu that is offered during the week. Check out the El Chaflan <a href="http://www.elchaflan.com/aris_bar/aris_bar.html" title="The Aris Bar in Madrid">Aris Bar website</a> for more info.