Turning 50 is a milestone, and one that you want to mark in a special way for yourself and your friends. I found myself in Madrid with a friend of mine who had just hit his half a century and I wanted to make sure we all had a night to remember.
One member of our friendship group lives in Madrid, and was aware the Four Seasons had been through a recent renovation. And being fans of both Asian cuisine and fabulous cocktails, ISA Restaurant & Cocktail Bar sounded like a good option. I’ve stayed at Four Season’s hotels in a few cities in the world, and I’m always impressed by their standards and service. So how would a special birthday dinner in Madrid’s new hot spot measure up? I’m delighted to say, it was a wonderful night!
The Four Seasons Madrid sits in one of the city’s most vibrant and iconic areas, a short stroll from the buzzy theatre and shopping hub of Gran Vía, where historic architecture meets bustling nightlife and shopping that’s second to none.
The moment you set eyes on the newly-renovated hotel, you know it’s going to be a special experience. The entrance lobby oozes class and sophistication, and as the doorman assists your arrival into the splendour (and fragrance!) of the grand 19th-century entrance hall, complete with columns and a restored stained-glass dome, you instantly stand a few inches taller and know that your evening is going to be something special.
What makes Isa Restaurant and Cocktail bar so special?
ISA Restaurant & Cocktail Bar sits on the first floor, accessed via an elegant, sweeping staircase, and as soon as we arrived, we were treated like VIPs. We were led through the deep red interiors to our sumptuous table, and although I had been promised a special set menu for our 50th celebrations, I didn’t realise it would be a personalised menu tailored specifically for the birthday boy until we got to our seats. It was a very thoughtful touch that set the tone for the rest of the evening.
ISA serves an Asian-inspired menu with creative Mediterranean influences, where sushi, tartares, gyozas and grilled dishes are designed to be shared with friends. The fact that the words ”cocktail bar” are explicitly mentioned in the restaurant’s name gives you a hint at the calibre of drinks on offer.
Our party was tempted by the sake selection, but in the end the array of cocktails proved too tempting. We ended up sampling pretty much every single one, and there was also an impressive range of non-alcoholic cocktails too, which didn’t feel in the slightest bit like an afterthought. In fact, a few of us thought the Seedlip creations sounded so tempting, we were almost lured away from the gin!
There were showstoppers: a bright blue cocktail poured from height at the table, and another with its own flashing disco box underneath. But the more low-key options were equally delicious and surprising, with some that sounded like they could be creamy dessert cocktails turning out to be elegant and subtle creations, perfectly accompanying our multi-course meal.
What’ s on the set menu at Four Season’s ISA?
My expectations for the food were high, and the menu at ISA did not disappoint. From the tantalising sushi to sea bass served in perfect bite-sized chunks but still presented in the form of the fish, to pork so tender it literally melted in your mouth, each course delighted everyone at the table. And although we didn’t really have room for desert, it was a celebration, and we were glad we pushed the boat out! The volcano cake, molten chocolate oozing from the middle with a sparkler on top, made for a perfect birthday finale.
It’s rare that there’s nothing to fault in a restaurant review, however luxurious the venue, but everything from the service and ambience to the food and drink surpassed our group’s expectations. It’s not cheap – which isn’t unexpected, but it’s not outrageously pricey either. The set menu sets you back €75 per head, and the cocktails are around €20 each, so it’s a treat but not one that will completely break the bank. In my opinion, ISA is the perfect special-occasion destination and, when you’re turning 50, that’s exactly what you need. We’ll definitely be back!
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