Eating in Madrid is like no other place-- restaurants have a culture all their own. Waiters are not in a rush to neither seat you nor serve you. On the contrary, eating is such importance here that it is intended to be enjoyed in the highest fashion possible. That includes taking one's time. A typical sit-down meal takes longer here than anywhere in the world, but if you had food this good everywhere why would rush to leave it?

The general rule of thumb for a lunchtime Menú del día or dinner is that the waiter will approach the table 3 times. The first to ask if what drink is desired. The second pertains to the ordering of the first and second courses. And the third is generally an explication, always from memory, about the desserts of the day.