My Madrid is a new feature on the Mad About Madrid site, where I invite people who either live in Madrid or who know the city well, to write about things they like.

The first person I have asked is Juan Dominguez, a 36 year-old director of E-commerce and Business Services in Ya.com, an internet company. He also founded Viajar.com, a leading Spanish online travel agency and has his own blog, e-life. Juan was born in Guadalajara but now lives in La Moraleja, a residential neighbourhood outside Madrid.
Favourite Bar/café Del Diego (c/ de la Reina), the best cocktail bar in the world, and I am not exaggerating a bit.
Favourite Dish(es) Jamón serrano, gazpacho, torrijas.
Favourite Tapas Tortilla de patatas, calamares, or anything in Bar Santander, in c/ Augusto Figueroa (Metro Chueca).
Favourite Restaurant – El Chaflán, in c/ Pio XII. It is expensive but it is definitely worth a visit. Other places that I like are Blue Fish, in c/ San Andres, (the girls who run it are so nice), and Caripén, in plaza de la Armada Española.
Favourite Shop FNAC or, if looking for gifts or furniture, Casa Julia in c/ Barquillo

Best time of year May and June. The weather is usually nice, and the streets become full of life. I also like it very much in February, when it is freezing cold but the sun shines and the sky is a perfect blue.
Favourite Barrio – La Latina for cañas and tapas, Chueca and Gran Via for looking at people.
Favourite Building – Círculo de Bellas Artes in c/ Alcalá or Palacio de las Comunicaciones in Cibeles.
A day trip from Madrid – Sigüenza, 120 kms to the North. I love the medieval air of it. And I have a house there 😉 Segovia is also worth a visit, though.
A perfect ‘night out’ in Madrid would … be a Thursday night to avoid huge crowds, dinner in Café Oliver (c/ Almirante), then drinks in Jose Alfredo (c/ Silva) or El Cock (c/ de la Reina), dancing in El Sol (c/ Jardines) until they close. Or, in the spring, begin with dinner outside in las Vistillas, near the Palacio Real, and visiting one of the street terraces (my favourite is Terraza de Atenas, in the square of the same name).
Recommended Walk – Museum mile (Prado, Thyssen, Reina Sofia) and then Parque del Retiro. Avoid Retiro on Sundays as it is crowded. Also like shopping around c/ Serrano; tapas in La Latina or a walk around the Rastro (go on a Sunday, even though it is really crowded).