hip area in madrid

while in madrid, of course we went to plaza mayor and puerta del sol, etc., but there were other areas that really impressed me. specifically, the region surrounding plaza santa ana, including calle de la victoria, pasaje matheu, calle barcelona and others, gave me a much more authentic spanish feeling than i have ever gotten from madrid. there was a slow familiar pace that brought granada to mind, compared to the metropolitan hustle and bustle of puerta del sol, which is more reminiscent of new york city. the feeling was helped by good weather and good company, of course.