We sat down with the founder to learn how Elysian Tales is turning Madrid’s vibrant food scene into a personal journey, one where flavors, people, and stories come together to create a night that feels meaningful, immersive, and unforgettable.
Q&A with the Founder of Elysian Tales
1. What inspired you to start Elysian Tales, and what was your vision for creating boutique gastronomic experiences in Madrid?
I grew up in a family where food was never just food, it was how we came together, how we shared time and stories. Later, living across different cultures and working in the corporate world, I realized gastronomy was always the first lens through which I tried to understand a place. It is the most honest way into a culture’s heart.
With Elysian Tales, I wanted to create something that feels less like a tour and more like a story that unfolds throughout the evening. Each stop reveals something new, the mood shifts as we go, and the flavors, people, and stories weave together to create one unforgettable night. Madrid was the natural beginning because the city is having a spotlight moment. Its dining scene is dynamic, its energy is vibrant, and there is a creative spirit that deserves to be told like a story.
2. Your flagship offering is the three-hour gastronomic journey through four venues. How do you select the venues, pairings, and stories to include, and what criteria are most important?
We curate each evening like a script. Act one begins behind the curtain of a Michelin-acclaimed restaurant, where guests are welcomed into a world that is usually hidden. Act two shifts the mood with vermut in a traditional tavern, grounding the story in one of Madrid’s most beloved rituals. Act three lingers over a main course in one of the city’s hardest-to-book restaurants, and the final act closes on a rooftop, speakeasy, or wine bar.
When selecting venues, the food must be exceptional, but the story is just as important. I look for places with soul: chefs reimagining tradition, artisans reviving rituals, or hidden gems most people walk past without ever noticing. The guiding question is always: will this moment spark emotion, will it make someone say “wow”? If yes, it belongs.
3. You describe Elysian Tales as where “tradition meets modern sophistication.” How do you balance preserving local culinary heritage with offering fresh, modern interpretations in your experience?
I believe tradition and innovation are two parts of the same story. Madrid’s culinary identity is rooted in rituals that stretch back centuries, from cocido madrileño to Sunday vermut. At the same time, the city thrives on reinvention.
In our experiences, we honor both. Guests might taste a dish steeped in history, then see it reinterpreted by a contemporary chef in playful miniature bites. They might begin in a tavern that feels unchanged for a hundred years, then step into a sleek bistro that speaks to Madrid’s global future. Heritage is not static. It evolves, and by pairing the old with the new, we let guests feel that evolution first-hand.
4. You emphasize evoking emotion and connecting people with the soul of a city. Can you share a moment or guest story that best captures what you aim to deliver?
One guest told me, “I’ve been coming to Madrid for years, and tonight I saw a whole different Madrid. I love how I felt welcomed and special, not just by you, but by the team at each of our stops.” That moment stayed with me because it reflects what we want every experience to be: not just about food or history, but about creating a sense of belonging. When someone feels the city open up to them in a way they had never seen before, that is when the magic happens.
5. What are your plans for expansion, whether in new cities or with new types of experiences? How do you see Elysian Tales evolving over the next few years to keep surprising and delighting guests?
Lisbon is our next chapter, launching by the end of this year. In 2026 and beyond, we will be expanding to other exciting cities across Europe and the Middle East. Each destination will stay true to our philosophy and the three threads that define us: exclusivity and access, immersiveness and playfulness, and the element of surprise.
At the heart of it all will always be our flagship format: 4 hours, 4 venues, 1 perfect evening. Every city will have its own script, its own flavors, its own stories, but the promise will remain the same: to create a night that guests will remember long after they return home. And just as importantly, we want them to come back – to experience the evolving Elysian Tales again, whether in the same city or in a new one.
6. If someone were visiting Madrid and wanted to incorporate Elysian Tales into a travel itinerary, how do you see your experience complementing other high-end activities in the city?
Madrid offers an extraordinary landscape: world-class art, exquisite hotels, private shopping, and cultural access. What Elysian Tales adds is intimacy. You can spend the day with a curator at the Prado or a stylist in the Salamanca neighbourhood, but in the evening you want to feel the city’s heartbeat. We give guests that: an insider’s journey through hidden venues, one that feels personal and unforgettable.
I always recommend starting a trip with Elysian Tales on the first night in Madrid. It gives a beautiful foundation for understanding the city’s dynamic food scene, while also helping guests settle into its rhythm. From there, we share tailored gastronomic recommendations for the rest of their trip so every meal that follows feels curated and meaningful.
7. At Modern Concierge, we pride ourselves on offering members access they can’t find on their own. Do you offer private or customizable versions of your experience for travelers who want something even more exclusive?
Yes, and in fact every Elysian Tales journey is already private and curated. For those wanting something even more exclusive, we create fully bespoke experiences depending on the client’s interests and what they are looking for.
Our promise is simple: access, intimacy, and surprise. We design each evening so it feels as if the city has opened its doors just for you.
Ready to Experience Madrid Differently?
Modern Concierge is proud to connect our members with high-touch partners like Elysian Tales – crafting experiences that are unforgettable because they feel deeply personal. Whether you’re planning a milestone trip or simply want your next European city escape to feel more meaningful, let us coordinate it all – from VIP Access and travel planning to exclusive dining reservations.
Let’s make it effortless. Contact us at 416-238-7611 or hello@modernconcierge.com to begin planning your next unforgettable journey – one that’s effortless, personal, and uniquely yours.
