One of the most ingrained memories from any trip to Madrid is the site of cured ham hanging from just about every tapas bar you walk into. Americans typically call this strange. The Spanish call it Jamon Serrano and consider it a gift from God to the Spanish people. There aren't any hams hanging from the ceiling at Bar Jamon, but if you overlook that little detail you might just believe you're sipping Rioja in a tiny Madrid tapas joint. And don't worry, there's a couple pigs legs behind the bar.
FOOD & BOOZE: BAR JAMON (17th St. @ Irving Place) 
Site + Menu + Map
Our Take: With only about 10 stools in the whole place, it's standing room only at this hole in the wall Mario Batali joint. The Jamon Serrano (read, Spanish cured ham) is top notch. There's a good Spanish cheese selection and a menu filled with the classic Spanish tapas. There's also a quality Spanish wine & sherry selection. When it's not completely overrun, the place has a great atmosphere with an actual Madrileno preparing your food and no attitude in sight.
Insider Tips: The place is very small and packed on weekend nights and prime dinner hours later in the week. Head over early in the week, late at night or on weekend afternoons for a better chance to grab a spot. Because of the small size, we wouldn't head over with more than 2 or 3 people max.
Recommendations: Nearly everything on the menu is classic Spanish tapas and worth trying. We like the Bocadillo de Jamon & Queso (ham & cheese sandwich), but the slice of torilla espanola added to the sandwich takes away from the sharp cheese & ham tastes. The tortilla on its own was good, but we'd ask for no tortilla on our bocadillo. And anybody who has partied till 5am in Madrid knows that the churros & chocolate from street vendors outside the clubs are essential to the Madrid experience. Apparently Bar Jamon is well aware of this too.
Details: Open Mon-Fri 5pm-2am; Sat & Sun 12pm-2am. Most plates $7-9. No reservations.
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