"I last came here 13 years ago. Today I was driving back to NY and remembered Meson Madrid being this vibrant, energetic Spanish restaurant with to die for Clams in Green sauce (which I'd graciously dip the chips into back then). I couldn't help but call up to make a reservation and stop by. Check it: Ambience: 3 10 Place was dead. Run down, dirty, and nothing like it used to be. I didn't even need a reservation bc there were only 5 other tables seated around me at 8pm on a Friday evening. Service: 10 10. My waiter was energetic, and enthusiastic. He came to our table multiple times throughout our meal to check in on us. Kudos to him for making our experience so much better than it otherwise would have been. Food: What a disappointment. Raw clams on the half shell filled with dirty and sand. Clams in green sauce, came out cold and again filled with sand. I had to spit out two of them. Paella was ok.. shrimp and scallops were the type from a frozen bag you'd get from the supermarket and the chicken within was so dry I had to spit it out. And my hendricks martini... I can't pin point what it was they mixed inside but it just tasted so off. They either didn't use good vermouth, or they didn't use it at all. I drink martinis all the time, and this was the first time I'd taken two sips and put it down. So here's the thing: I don't know if it's my palette that has changed over the years, or perhaps my expectations from a restaurant. I'm inclined to believe that this place has gone severely downhill since the early 2000s. So sad, but perhaps this review can help them steer the ship back in the right direction. For an $80 bill with two drinks, two appetizers, and a main, I think the price was not bad at all. I wouldn't return though until I knew for certain they've improved. Verdict: If you come here with low expectations for a relatively cost efficient meal, you'll enjoy it. If you come here expecting what Meson once was before, you'll be deeply disappointed : Cheers"
