16/04/2008

“I love sleep. My life has the tendency to fall apart when I'm awake, you know?”
Ernest Hemingway










Many are the writers that are immediately linked with their love and descriptions of their cities and neighbourhoods. Paul Auster and Brooklyn, Irvine Welsh and Edinburgh, Chinua Achebe and Lagos. Imitation is the biggest form of flattery, but because I am not a writer of such proportions, all I can do is dedicate a few lines to one street: Calle Argensola. I walk up and down this street everyday, and this is where I sleep, every night. I have a fondness for the places where my dreams are born. So here is an ode, to one street in Madrid.

Calle Argensola: named alter the Argensola Brothers, Spanish writers Lupercio (1559-1613) and Bartolomé (1562-1631). Known for their perfectionist classic form. A well chosen name for this softly sculpted street.

#1
Lomography Shop y Caprile Photo: Brand new concept from Italian reknown photographer Pasquale Caprile. Half Lomography shop, half photo gallery and shop, this is one of my favourite spots on the street. You can join the lomo revolution and buy a camera, or you can purchase a photograph from one of the artists Caprile exhibits in the gallery part of the shop. As curator of the constant exhibition space, Caprile represents a series of photographers, and is the founder of Entrefotos. Check out shop.lomography.com to learn more about the cameras sold here.
91310 44 18

#4
Suus: Men’s designer footwear. International hard to find brands like Martin Margiela, Marc Jacobs, Costume National. Joaquín, one of the gorgeous owners, has impeccable taste, I like to walk by and wave hello. He always waves back.
917 024 750

#7
Ciao: Italian Restaurant. Run by members of the very friendly extended Laguna family, so friendly that they will smile even if you show up to dinner Monday night at eleven thirty, which is really amazing… Good-tasting food items that include risottos and pastas, such as ravioli or tagliatelle with wild mushrooms.
91-308-25-19


#17
Argensola: Great place for a cocktail.
Tel: 91 319 75 84


#21
Hato: Brand new woman’s fashion store. Three floors. International brands like Koyuki, Greyhound, and Bolongaro Trevor. Silvia Martín, the lovely owner, decided to leave the world of advertising and open her own little shop. She chose Argensola because it is, in her own words: “más especial.”
91 319 26 89
www.hatostyle.com

#27
Poncelet: Gourmet cheese shop… Has everything!
91 308 1221

If you think that’s all Argensola has to offer, tune in next week for more of my favourite street’s corners…