Some lunches are about the food.
Others are about the people.
And every now and then, you get one where both line up just right.

Casa Orellana was that kind of lunch.

We were three. Friends catching up after years, maybe even a decade, without any awkwardness, no forced updates, just easy conversation that picked up where it left off. One of those meals where time stretches a little, the table fills up slowly, and you realise halfway through that you are having a very good afternoon.

We went for lunch on a Saturday, right around opening time. A mix of locals and tourists filled the room, the kind of crowd you expect in this part of Madrid. Lively, but not chaotic. Civilised. Comfortable.

Before we even ordered, they brought out a tortilla on the house. No announcement, no fuss. Just placed gently on the table while we were still settling in. I was starving, so I did what any reasonable person would do and immediately went for it. Warm, satisfying, exactly what you want as a first bite. Sometimes generosity sets the tone, and this did.

From there, we ordered a mix of classics and a couple of dishes that caught our eye.

We started with the Gildas Orellana, a proper classic. Nothing complicated, nothing reinvented. Just good quality ingredients doing what they are supposed to do. I have had better gildas elsewhere, but these were solid and enjoyable, which is exactly what you want from something so simple.

Next came the Anchoa cántabra con mantequilla de caserío, another straightforward dish that relies entirely on quality. The anchovy was well-balanced, not overly salty, and paired nicely with the butter. Again, not showy, but well executed.

The Croquetas de rabo de toro were what you expect from a place like this. Creamy, comforting, reliable. Croquetas are a litmus test for me. If they get these wrong, I lose interest very quickly. These passed without issue. Very good, even if not the standout of the meal.

That honour went, without question, to the Huevos rotos con tartar de atún.

This dish genuinely surprised me. On paper, it sounds like it could be strange. In reality, it worked beautifully. Fresh, well-cut tuna paired with the richness of the eggs and potatoes created something that felt both indulgent and light at the same time. It was unexpected, balanced, and easily my favourite dish of the lunch. I would go back just for this.

We also ordered the Arroz en lata de presa ibérica, which arrived towards the end when we were already quite full. The rice was well cooked and flavourful, the presa nicely done, but it did not leave as strong an impression simply because it came last. Nothing negative to say, just not the dish that stayed with me.

For dessert, we shared the Tarta de queso, followed by café con leche. A nice ending, pleasant and comforting, though not something I would single out as a reason to return on its own. The kind of dessert that does its job quietly.

Service throughout was professional and efficient. Less chatty and warm than somewhere like Krachai, but attentive and polished in a very Madrid way. Water for drinks, everything explained clearly, no unnecessary interruptions.

So how do I rate Casa Orellana?

⭐ 4 out of 5

Excellent execution, very good food, a strong sense of place. It does not try to surprise you at every turn, and maybe that is the point. This is not a restaurant chasing trends. It knows what it is, and it does it well.

I would happily go back. I would reorder the huevos rotos con tartar de atún without hesitation. And I would definitely try more of the menu next time.

Some lunches stay with you because of the flavours.
Others because of the company.
This one managed to do both.

— Raulito