Vallecas is a working class district just to the southeast of the centre, Puente de Vallecas is one of the six barrios within it.
Vallecas is home to Madrid’s third football team, Rayo Vallecano, who play in the second division. The club and its fans, the Bukaneros, are famous for their left leaning politics.
For example, in 2012 the squad decided to take one day off from training to join the anti-austerity demonstrations. In 2014 the club helped support an old lady facing eviction from her home. Numerous other examples of solidarity exist.
For me this is truly a club to be inspired by, much more so than Athletico or Real.They have a new fan in me.
Casa Doli (Intermediate B+), 96 Avenida de San Diego, casadoli.com
I came here with my friends Ethel and Nick and we were joined by their friend Paloma who lives locally. The owner of the restaurant was very warm and welcoming.
We had lots of good food here, mainly meat, including…
Torreznos de Soria (A); deep-fried panceta for which the town of Soria in the province of Castile y León is famous.
And some lovely Chuletas de Cordero, lamb chops (A).
My favourite was the Pluma de Iberico (A), sorry no photo. Plumas or ‘feathers’ are a cut from just behind the neck of the Iberico pig and are very tender.
To drink, a few ‘Cruzial’ beers by Cruzcampo, a new one on me (B).
And with dessert a sweet 2012 Moscatel from Gran Fuedo (B+).
A nice neighbourhood place I’d be happy to go to again.