Tag Archive for: Spain

2010 Michelin Spain Restaurants Awards

Catalan cusine was the most awarded of the night at the 2010 Michelin Star Awards with Celler de Can Roca, Lasarte, Les Cols, Enoteca, La Fonda Xesc, Bo.Tic, El Torreó de l’Indià as the big 2010 winners.

The big announcement was made public last night before an impatient crowd of chefs, politicians, journalists and friends at the San Miguel market in Madrid. Guests were able to savor the cuisine of Santi Santamarina, Oscar Velasco, Paco Roncero and Sergi Arola, among others.

After several years of disappointment in the gastronomic field, which claimed the highest recognition to what is considered to be one of the best restaurants in the world, yesterday chefs and critics could deservedly say “at last!”.

Michelin finally granted 3 stars to Girona´s Celler de Can Roca, run by the Roca brothers, Joan, Josep and Jordi and favorite of Gourmand Breaks clients. Read more

Bets for 2010 Michelin Spain Awards

Everyone -from renowned chefs to top cuisine connoisseurs- is in great expectation  to find out if the 2 time Michelin star awarded Celler de Can Roca restaurant in Girona will be at last privileged with a third star in 2009. Read more

The W Hotel in Barcelona

At Gourmand Breaks we like to keep up to date and recently paid a visit to check-out the trendiest most fashionable hotel everyone in town is talking about, the W Hotel. 

The hotel also known as Hotel Vela, is an avant-garde icon created by world-famous Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill. It rises above the spectacular beachfront in Barcelona, one of Europe’s most stylish and cosmopolitan cities. Read more

El Bulli in Spain- World’s Best Restaurant 4th Year in a Row!

 

Yesterday Restaurant Magazine announced the S.Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants for 2009 based on polls from over 800 chefs, critics, and other industry leaders. At the top of the list is none other than Ferran Adria’s El Bulli, located right here in the Costa Brava. Considering that three of the top five to make the list are Spanish restaurants, Adria accepted this prestigious award saying that it has been “an important night for Spain”. He then went on to dedicate his honorable prize to The Fat Duck’s Heston Blumenthal, at number two on the list, who he said “has shown me what honesty means in this business”.

The celebrated restaurant is open for just six months of the year, and of the 2 million patrons who request a visit each season, just 8000 will enjoy this truly surrealistic culinary experience. Surrealism at its’ best embraces opportunities to create unexpected combinations and elements of surprise and is typically characterized by fantastic imagery. The notorious Ferran Adria and his professional team at El Bulli create just these kind of unpredictable juxtapositions, some of the most curious, yet innovative dishes ever invented.  From abalone with iberian pork fat, to grilled strawberries, and gorgonzola moshi, the cuisine at El Bulli will surely indulge, surprise, and delight every single one of your senses, and perhaps even find your sixth sense as well!

The Top 10:

  1. El Bulli, Spain
  2. The Fat Duck, U.K.
  3. Noma, Denmark
  4. Mugaritz, Spain
  5. El Celler de Can Roca, Spain
  6. Per Se, U.S.
  7. Bras, France
  8. Arzak, Spain
  9. Pierre Gagnaire, France
  10. Alinea, U.S.

With 4 of the top 10 restaurants voted best in the world located in Northern Spain, you have to wonder if there is something in the air here! Perhaps there is some truth to the legend that the tramuntana winds, typical of this region, breed creativity. Blowing at over 120 mph and containing an unusually high amount of oxygen, the majestic brilliance of the skies that remain after this strong wind has passed has inspired some of the most creative geniuses of our time, including Salvador Dali, Gaudi, the Adria brothers, as well as the Roca brothers at El Celler de Can Roca right here at our home in Girona.

Rising 21 spots from 2008, El Celler de Can Roca has made it to #5 on the list, being the single restaurant to make the highest jump toward the top.  The three Catalan brothers’ varying expertise complement each other perfectly to create a special meal that will surely be unforgettable. From Chef Joan’s innovative combination of modernity and classic Catalan cuisine, to Josep’s perfect wine pairings, to Jordi’s mouth-watering desserts, you will remember your dining experience at El Celler de Can Roca for years to come.

Spain is host to a whole number number of the world´s most famous restaurants including Murgaritz (no.3) and Arzak (no.8) both in San Sebastian. If you would like to experience some of the best restaurants Spain has on offer then our Ultimate Gourmet Tour is perfect for sophisticated diners who are looking to experience the best of Spanish cuisine.

 

Calella de Palafrugell and Llafranc

Costa Brava. Calella de PalafrugellCalella, songs Cuban in summer time

Hidden away from mass tourism, unlike some unfortunate resorts further down the shore by Barcelona, the neighboring villages of Calella de Palafrugell and Llafranc offer a relaxing break from Spain’s busier spots. On a Gourmand Breaks Tour you can enjoy these peaceful fishing villages which have some of the most tranquil seaside walkways in Spain. Visitors get intimate views of a gorgeous blue shoreline while walking past the colorful fishing boats that dot the shore or enjoy meals at several shore-front restaurants- some of which are home to the best seafood on the coast!

Calella de Palafrugell is also known for its havaneres—old songs Cuban immigrant fisherman sung for over 100 years in local taverns. Before the tradition completely died out in the 1960s, the community started a summer festival to celebrate the custom and it is still popular to this day. On Sant Joan’s Day in June, Calella de Palafrugell lights up with exciting fireworks that are especially charming from a terrace overlooking the sea.

A number of Gourmand Breaks private tours include a day trip to Calella de Palafrugell and Llafranc  including our Luxury Mediterranean Cuisine Tour – perfect for those who don´t like to stray too far from the sea and like to spend relaxing afternoons feasting on some of the best seafood in Spain!

Dali’s House in Port Lligat, Cadaqués – Girona

Dali's house and Port Lligat
Just a short drive away from the beautiful fishing town of Cadaqués is Port Lligat, the location of what was Salvador Dalí’s house and art studio. In addition to getting a more intimate picture of the painter himself through kitchy images and rooms he’d use for inspiration,Dali´s house contains original artwork that the world has not seen until recently. The Casa-Museu Dalí, or Dali´s House, as it is called now, opened in 1997 and it was only two years ago that owners opened up the entire house to the public. This is especially a privilege since Dalí only allowed one guest to this private home for the most part–his wife Gala.

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Besalú

Medieval Jewish communities in Spain

As soon as you encounter the entrance to Besalu, a gorgeously well-preserved monument to medieval Jewish communities in Spain—a graceful bridge arching over the Fluvia River—you will feel like you’re walking into another time altogether.

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Catalonia’s Wine Cathedrals

As wine lovers venture out of Barcelona streets laced with Gaudi’s intricate designs to vineyards in the countryside, they are never left without brilliant Modernist architecture to gawk at. That’s because several of Catalonia’s best vineyards lie next to cellars often called wine cathedrals . When the region’s viticultural renaissance hit its stride in the early 1900s, some of the best Modernista (or Catalan Art Nouveau) architects wanted to celebrate by contributing their designing genius to booming wine cellars. Read more

La Diada

Catalan people

The red and yellow stripes of the Catalan flag drape windows, balconies, walls, make up flower bouquets and wave in the fabrics Catalans hold up in the street all day on La Diada, or Catalonia’s national holiday. Celebrated on September 11, the day of Catalonia’s defeat under Spanish armies in 1714, La Diada brings attention to both the defeats and the optimistic future of Catalonia.

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Jewish Heritage Month in Spain

Up until Jews were expelled out of Spain by its government and church in 1492, Jewish communities played a significant role in the culture, the architecture and academia of medieval Spain.

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