Tag Archive for: spanish chefs

World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 – 7 in Spain!

Huge congratulations to the Spanish Restaurants who yet again feature strongly in the World’s Best Restaurants List. Occupying 10% of the prestigious World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List, half of them climbed positions and half fell, but all 10 Spanish restaurants maintain their status in the Top 100 Restaurants of the World 2016 (7 in the Top 50, of which 3 are in the Top 10).

Portugal,  last year, had 2 entries in the 51-100 List but for the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List just one stays. Congratulations to Belcanto in Lisbon, slowly but surely establishing its gastronomic offering by climbing up the charts.

worlds 50 best restaurants 2016

Here’s a look at the Spanish and Portuguese movers and shakers in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List:

Nº 2 – El Celler de Can Roca, Girona, Spain, falls from Nº 1 to Nº 2 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List

Nº 7 – Mugaritz, San Sebastian, Spain, falls from Nº 6 to Nº7 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List

Nº 10 – Asador Etxebarri, Axpe, Spain, climbs from Nº 13 to Nº 10 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List

Nº 16 – Azurmendi, Larrabetzu, Spain, climbs from Nº 19 to Nº 16 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List

Nº 21 – Arzak, San Sebastian, Spain, falls from Nº 17 to Nº21 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List

Nº 29 – Tickets, Barcelona, Spain, climbs from Nº 42 to Nº29 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List

Nº 49 – Quique Dacosta, Denia, Spain, falls from Nº 39 to Nº49 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List

Nº 55 – Nerua, Bilbao, Spain, climbs from Nº 68 to Nº55 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List

Nº 59 – Martín Berasategui, Lasarte-Oria, Spain, climbs from Nº 61 to Nº 59 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List

Nº 78 – Belcanto, Lisbon, Portugal, climbs from Nº 91 to Nº 78 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List

Nº 79 – DiverXO, Madrid, Spain, falls from Nº 59 to Nº 79 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 List

N/A – Vila Joya, Albufeira, Portugal, disappears from the list where last year it was at nº 98

 

Here are the COMPLETE Lists for the World’s Best Restaurants 2016:

1 – 50 World’s Best 50 Restaurants 2016 – FULL LIST

51 – 100 World’s Best Restaurants 2016 – FULL LIST

 

There are literally thousands of restaurants all over the world – hundreds of thousands! – and acclaimed Restaurant Magazine narrows it down to organize, compile and present, year after year, The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards and List.

This prestigious list is an annual recollection of the opinions and experiences of over 900 international restaurant industry experts and the ceremony is attended by the world’s finest chefs, international media and the world’s most influential restaurateurs.

This year, 2016, the awards ceremony was presented from The Cipriani Wall Street in New York, USA, the first time the ceremony has moved from its beginnings (the first list was published in 2002) in England, from London!

Next year, for 2017, the World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards Ceremony will be heading to Melbourne, Australia!!!

We have many fine dining opportunities for you all over Spain and / or Portugal.  Any of our sample private Gourmand Breaks Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours gives you the chance of fine dining – contact us for your personalized quote!.

World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 No1-50 – NEXT WEEK!

The results for the WORLD’S 1-50 BEST RESTAURANTS 2016 will be announced on Monday night!!!

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants NEW 2016 complete list will be presented, from it’s new home in New York, on the 13th of June and we’ll keep you updated …… oh we’re so anxious to know if:

El Celler de Can Roca, Girona, Spain will remain at Nº 1?

Tickets, Barcelona, Spain rises from Nº 42?

If Arzak, San Sebastian, Spain, will return to the Top 10 from it’s current place at Nº 17 ?

If Mugaritz, San Sebastian, Spain, stays put at Nº 6?

If Quique Dacosta, Alicante, Spain, rises or falls from Nº 39?

If Azurmendi, Basque Country, Spain, climbs higher than Nº 19?

If the “Best BBQ in the World” Asador Etxebarri, Basque Country, Spain, enters the Top 10 from Nº 13?

ALL WILL BE REVEALED NEXT WEEK ……. Watch this space!

worlds best 50

In the meantime the results are already in for the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 FULL LIST 51-100!!! And with this news we are delighted to report that there are 4 Spanish/Portuguese entries in the Top 51- 100 list for 2016:

Nº 55 NERUA, Michelin 1 star restaurant in the Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao, Spain

Nº 59 MARTIN BERASATEGUI, Michelin 3 star restaurant in the Basque Country, Spain

Nº 78 BELCANTO, Michelin 2 star restaurant in Lisbon, Portugal

Nº 79 DiverXO, Michelin 3 star restaurant in Madrid, Spain

Worlds Best Top 3

Last year’s awards from London

We have many fine dining opportunities for you all over Spain and / or Portugal. Any of our sample private Gourmand Breaks Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours gives you the chance of fine dining – contact us for your personalized quote!.

 

World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 – Nº 79 DiverXO

RESULTS ARE IN for the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 FULL LIST 51-100!!!

At Number 79 for the World’s Best Restaurants List 2016 is:

DIVERXO, Madrid – a Michelin 3 star restaurant at the hands of David Muñoz!!!

David Muñoz

DiverXO

DiverXo dish

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants List 1-50  will be awarded at a grand ceremony in New York, on the 13th of June and we’ll keep you posted!

We have many fine dining opportunities for you all over Spain and / or Portugal.  Any of our sample private Gourmand Breaks Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours gives you the chance of fine dining – contact us for your personalized quote!.

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World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 – FULL LIST

RESULTS ARE IN for the The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 places 51-100!!!!!

The NEW World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards 2016 1- 50 will be presented next week but, hot off the press,  here’s the NEW World’s 50 Best Restaurants FULL COMPLETE LIST 2016 51- 100:

No.51 MANÍ – SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL

No.52 PER SE – NEW YORK, USA

No.53 HOF VAN CLEVE – KRUISHOUTEM, BELGIUM

No.54 THE JANE – ANTWERP, BELGIUM

No.55 NERUA – BILBAO, SPAIN

No.56 MIKLA – ISTANBUL, TURKEY

No.57 L’ASTRANCE – PARIS, FRANCE

No.58 ALAIN DUCASSE AU PLAZA ATHÉNÉE – PARIS, FRANCE

No.59 MARTÍN BERASATEGUI – LASARTE-ORIA, SPAIN

No.60 HEDONE – LONDON, UK

No.61 MAAEMO – OSLO, NORWAY

No.62 LA GRENOUILLERE – LA MADELAINE SOUS MONTREUIL, FRANCE

No.63 AQUA – WOLFSBURG, GERMANY

No.64 LASAI – RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

No.65= BRAE – BIRREGURRA, AUSTRALIA

No.65= LYLE’S – LONDON, UK

No.67 THE RESTAURANT AT MEADOWOOD – ST. HELENA, USA

No.68 TEGUI – BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA

No.69 EPICURE – PARIS, FRANCE

No.70 BURNT ENDS – SINGAPORE

No.71 DANIEL – NEW YORK, USA

No.72 PAVILLON LEDOYEN – PARIS, FRANCE

No.73 HERTOG JAN – BRUGES, BELGIUM

No.74 LE CHATEAUBRIAND – PARIS, FRANCE

No.75 TWINS – MOSCOW, RUSSIA

No.76 LA COLOMBE – CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

No.77 DEN – TOKYO, JAPAN

No.78 BELCANTO – LISBON, PORTUGAL

No.79 DIVERXO – MADRID, SPAIN

No.80 L’ATELIER SAINT-GERMAIN DE JOËL ROBUCHON PARIS – PARIS, FRANCE

No.81 CHEF’S TABLE AT BROOKLYN FARE – NEW YORK, USA

No.82 HAJIME – OSAKA, JAPAN

No.83 MANRESA – LOS GATOS, USA

No.84 REALE – CASTEL DI SANGRO, ITALY

No.85 THE FRENCH LAUNDRY – YOUNTVILLE, USA

No.86 8 1/2 OTTO E MEZZO BOMBANA – HONG KONG, CHINA

No.87 INDIAN ACCENT – DELHI, INDIA

No.88 DIE SCHWARZWALDSTUBE – BAIERSBRONN, GERMANY

No.89= ZUMA – DUBAI, UAE

No.89= BENU – SAN FRANCISCO, USA

No.91 ST JOHN – LONDON, UK

No.92 QUINTESSENCE – TOKYO, JAPAN

No.93 DANIEL BERLIN – SKÅNE TRANÅS, SWEDEN

No.94 BRAS – LAGUIOLE, FRANCE

No.95 L’EFFERVESCENCE – TOKYO, JAPAN

No.96 COSME – NEW YORK, USA

No.97 MOMOFUKU KO – NEW YORK, USA

No.98 QUAY – SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

No.99 LA PETITE MAISON – DUBAI, UAE

No.100 CHESTNAYA KUHNYA – MOSCOW, RUSSIA

 

We’ll keep you updated on the results of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016  1- 50 (June 13th 2016 live from New York).

We have many fine dining opportunities for you all over Spain and / or Portugal. Any of our sample private Gourmand Breaks Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours gives you the chance of fine dining – contact us for your personalized quote!.

“A la Crème de la Crème” – Quique Dacosta

Quique Dacosta, in Alicante, Spain, is the current World’s Number 39 Restaurant!!

The NEW World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards 2016 will be presented in less than 2 weeks but, in the meantime, we’ll be looking at how the current Spanish and Portuguese entries (from the 2015 list) have evolved  in the prestigious Restaurant Magazine’s list in our “A la Crème de la Crème” Gourmand Breaks Blog series.

Quique Dacosta dish

Quique Dacosta Restaurante in Denia, Alicante, entered the World’s 50 Best Restaurants List in 2012 in 40th position.  Quique Dacosta then rose to 26th place in 2013, fell in 2014 to 41st place and then rose again to its current position of 39th place for the World’s 50 Best Restaurants List 2015.

Following this yo-yo pattern,  up – down – up,  does this year suggest a decline for Quique Dacosta in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards 2016 ? We’ll let you know on the 13th of June ……?

There are literally thousands of restaurants all over the world – hundreds of thousands! – and acclaimed Restaurant Magazine narrows it down to organize, compile and present, year after year, The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards and List.

This prestigious list, coming up to its 14th year,  is an annual recollection of the opinions and experiences of over 900 international restaurant industry experts and the ceremony is attended by the world’s finest chefs, international media and the world’s most influential restaurateurs.

This year, 2016, sees the awards ceremony being presented from the United States of America, the first time the ceremony has moved from its beginnings in England, from London!

We’ll keep you updated on the results of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016  (June 13th 2016 live from New York) but in the meantime over the next couple of weeks we’ll be taking a look at the Spanish (and Portuguese) movers and shakers in our Gourmand Breaks series “A la Crème de la Crème”

 

We have many fine dining opportunities for you all over Spain and / or Portugal. Any of our sample private Gourmand Breaks Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours gives you the chance of fine dining – contact us for your personalized quote!.

 

“A la Crème de la Crème” – Arzak

Arzak, in the Basque Country, Spain, is the current World’s Number 17 Restaurant!!

The NEW World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards 2016 will be presented next month but, in the meantime, we’ll be looking at how the current Spanish and Portuguese entries (from the 2015 list) have evolved  in the prestigious Restaurant Magazine’s list in our “A la Crème de la Crème” Gourmand Breaks Blog series.

ARZAK dish

Michelin 3 star restaurant Arzak has constantly featured in the acclaimed Restaurant Magazine World’s Best 50 restaurants list, but surprisingly for 2015, after being in the Top 10  since 2006, included, Arzak fell to it’s current position of No 17!

Here’s a recap of Arzak’s progress in the Top 50 over the years:

2014, 2013, 2012 +  2011- No 8

2010 – No 9

2009 + 2008 – No 8

2007 – No 10

2006 – No 9

2005 – No 21

2004 – No 22

2003 – No 40

Will Arzak regain a Top 10 place  in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016? We’ll let you know on the 13th of June …

Arzak entrance

There are literally thousands of restaurants all over the world – hundreds of thousands! – and acclaimed Restaurant Magazine narrows it down to organize, compile and present, year after year, The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards and List.

This prestigious list, coming up to its 14th year,  is an annual recollection of the opinions and experiences of over 900 international restaurant industry experts and the ceremony is attended by the world’s finest chefs, international media and the world’s most influential restaurateurs.

This year, 2016, sees the awards ceremony being presented from the United States of America, the first time the ceremony has moved from its beginnings in England, from London!

We’ll keep you updated on the results of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016  (June 13th 2016 live from New York) but in the meantime over the next couple of weeks we’ll be taking a look at the Spanish (and Portuguese) movers and shakers in our Gourmand Breaks series “A la Crème de la Crème”

We have many fine dining opportunities for you all over Spain and / or Portugal. Any of our sample private Gourmand Breaks Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours gives you the chance of fine dining – contact us for your personalized quote!.

“A la Crème de la Crème” – Asador Etxebarri

Asador Etxebarri, in the Basque Country, Spain, is the current World’s Number 13 Restaurant!!

The NEW World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards 2016 will be presented next month but, in the meantime, we’ll be looking at how the current Spanish and Portuguese entries (from the 2015 list) have evolved  in the prestigious Restaurant Magazine’s list in our “A la Crème de la Crème” Gourmand Breaks Blog series.

 

Etxebarri prawns on the grill

An unlucky number for some but not for Asador Etxebarri as, probably the best BBQ in the World, claimed it’s highest ever placing at Number 13 in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards 2015.  Etxebarri  also received the Highest Climber Award in 2015 for rising from nº 34 in 2014 to nº 13 in 2015.

Nº 13 is the highest ever placing for Asador Etxebarri and here’s a recap of its progress over the years:

2014 – No 34

2013 – No 44

2012 – No 31

2011 – No 50

2010 – No 61

2009 – No 39

2008 – No 44

2007 – No 76

Will Asador Etxebarri keep climbing in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016? 

We’ll let you know on the 13th of June …

etxebarri entrance

There are literally thousands of restaurants all over the world – hundreds of thousands! – and acclaimed Restaurant Magazine narrows it down to organize, compile and present, year after year, The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards and List.

This prestigious list, coming up to its 14th year,  is an annual recollection of the opinions and experiences of over 900 international restaurant industry experts and the ceremony is attended by the world’s finest chefs, international media and the world’s most influential restaurateurs.

This year, 2016, sees the awards ceremony being presented from the United States of America, the first time the ceremony has moved from its beginnings in England, from London!

We’ll keep you updated on the results of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016  (June 13th 2016 live from New York) but in the meantime over the next couple of weeks we’ll be taking a look at the Spanish (and Portuguese) movers and shakers in our Gourmand Breaks series “A la Crème de la Crème”

We have many fine dining opportunities for you all over Spain and / or Portugal. Any of our sample private Gourmand Breaks Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours gives you the chance of fine dining – contact us for your personalized quote!.

“A la Crème de la Crème” – El Celler de Can Roca

El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, Spain, is the current World’s Number 1 Restaurant!!

The NEW World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards 2016 will be presented next month but, in the meantime, we’ll be looking at how the current Spanish and Portuguese entries (from the 2015 list) have evolved  in the prestigious Restaurant Magazine’s list in our “A la Crème de la Crème” Gourmand Breaks Blog series.

In 2006 El Celler de Can Roca entered the acclaimed Worlds Best 50 restaurants list, compiled by Restaurant Magazine, in 21st place, rising to 11th place in 2007 and then falling to 26th place in 2008.  In 2009 El Celler de Can Roca established it’s Top 10 placing and  rose to 5th place then in 2010 and 2011 rose even higher, to 4th and 2nd places respectively. In 2012 El Celler de Can Roca stayed put in 2nd place but the following year, in 2013, hit the Number 1 spot, but just for one year as in 2014 Noma regained its crown and El Cellar de Can Roca had to settle for 2nd place.  But, not for long as in 2015 El Celler de Can Roca took it’s place at the Top and is the current Number 1.

 

Can THE Best Restaurant in the World, in 2013 and 2015, El Celler de Can Roca, hold on to Number 1 in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards 2016 ? We’ll let you know on the 13th of June ……

Celler de Can Roca

There are literally thousands of restaurants all over the world – hundreds of thousands! – and acclaimed Restaurant Magazine narrows it down to organize, compile and present, year after year, The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards and List.

This prestigious list, coming up to its 14th year,  is an annual recollection of the opinions and experiences of over 900 international restaurant industry experts and the ceremony is attended by the world’s finest chefs, international media and the world’s most influential restaurateurs.

This year, 2016, sees the awards ceremony being presented from the United States of America, the first time the ceremony has moved from its beginnings in England, from London!

We’ll keep you updated on the results of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016  (June 13th 2016 live from New York) but in the meantime over the next couple of weeks we’ll be taking a look at the Spanish (and Portuguese) movers and shakers in our Gourmand Breaks series “A la Crème de la Crème”

 

Although El Celler de Can Roca is booked up well over a year in advance we have many fine dining opportunities for you all over Spain and / or Portugal. Any of our sample private Gourmand Breaks Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours gives you the chance of fine dining – contact us for your personalized quote!.

 

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Marvelous Spain – Wes and Charles’ Private Tour Review

Wes Albinger and Charles Pierce joined us recently, from New York City, for a fantastic 22 day Customized Private Highlights of Spain Tour. We could tell you where they went, what they saw, where they ate etc but we’ll leave that to them.

Travel with Wes and Charles all over Spain as you read their FULL review in their own words, with no censorship from us  – Bon Voyage :-):

After a reflective week or so, we’d like to share a few thoughts about our Gourmand Breaks journey through Spain. Top line: We loved it!  It was a pleasure to meet you on that first day in Barcelona. The printed booklet you presented us with was helpful. We referred to it often and having the blank pages did, in fact, inspire us to keep a journal.

Sagrada familia interior

Sagrada Familia, Barcelona

Barcelona was a great place to begin. Our guide gave us a real understanding of Catalonia as well as a wonderful tour of the Sagrada Famillia — the first of many marvels we saw on our trip. It was astounding, enhanced by our guide’s intimate knowledge. Thanks for recommending Ten’s, as it was outstanding. Lasarte was an elegant, comfortable restaurant but frankly, we enjoyed Ten’s more! (A waiter knocked a full glass of wine and a full glass of water over Wes during our meal at Lasarte …it was unfortunate and this may have colored our overall impression of the place. They upgraded our wine after the incident, but otherwise charged us the full amount, which was surprising). As you know, on the last day in Barcelona we suffered food poisoning. Luckily, the malaise didn’t last long. When we got to Grenada, we found a place that served chicken soup and it was curative!

Alhambra inside

The Alhambra, Granada

Grenada was delightful. Our expert guide maneuvered us gracefully through the crowds and took us on a memorable and knowledgeable tour of the Alhambra — the second marvel of our trip. Your suggested stop in Ronda was the perfect way to break up the drive. We loved the hotel in Seville. Our room was huge and the hotel manager was very attentive, welcoming us with a bottle of bubbly. Our guide, Paloma, was terrific. Her tour of the cathedral was excellent and we had such a good time with her afterwards. We loved the flamenco show and the manager made us feel welcome when he sought us out at the end of the performance to thank us for coming. And, of course, the scent of orange blossoms lingers in our memory. We tried a restaurant suggested in your booklet, Az-Zait, and it turned out to be a good choice. (The Iberian pork dish was delicious!).

Elena, our guide in Cordoba, was very good and clearly at home. Strolling through the old town with her made us feel like locals, as she knew many folks along the way. Her knowledge of the Mezquita was extraordinary and her commentary greatly enhanced our visit to this magnificent sight — the third marvel of our trip. When we told her afterwards that we’d prefer to have a proper lunch rather hopping around for tapas, she picked just the right place. She worked with the waiters to plan us a delectable meal and we were the only tourists in the place. It was great watching local families enjoying a long, leisurely Saturday lunch.

El Retiro Park, Madrid

And then came Madrid. The many neighborhoods, museums, the vitality, Retiro Park and the oh-so-friendly people won us over. The hotel had a few issues…and perhaps not quite as special as the other hotels you chose for our journey but the location was great and the room was generous, quiet and comfortable. The staff was very helpful. Our guide, Olga, used a map to help us understand Madrid and it’s charms before taking us on an informative and comprehensive tour of the city. The Prado art collection was yet another marvel and Olga’s insight was impressive. We loved tapas-hopping with her afterwards and were particularly pleased with the places she picked. She left us feeling very satisfied at the Mercado de San Miguel. We visited the Royal Palace, saw a few other sights and, as Olga had suggested, had something eat in the food courts at El Cortes Inglés for dinner.

The Museo Thysson-Bornemisza museum was yet another marvel. It’s a beautifully curated art collection where we spent hours and loved every minute of it. It was like taking an art history class!

Our two-star dinner at El Club Allard started out with a bang. The first five courses were good but the service was rushed and the final courses lacked finesse. Just the same, it’s a beautiful place and they made us feel quite comfortable.

Toledo

Toledo

We loved our guide in Toledo. His English was excellent and he knew the city so well. (He even spotted, and helped coordinate, the arrest of two pickpockets by sending their photos instantly to the local police!). After our tour, he took us to a small but terrific local restaurant where we had a lunch menu for twelve euros, including a glass of wine!

Segovia was a great side trip, too. We arrived early enough to have a quick visit of the cathedral and to marvel at the Roman aqueduct. After that, we stopped to sample the ponche Segoviano, loving the sponge cake and marzipan confection. We wandered through the old town, visited the Alcázar and even went through a local history museum. But the highlight was lunch at José Maria where we had the famous “cochinillo.” What a treat! The poor piglet couldn’t have been more than six weeks old, just large enough to fit in a roasting pan, and it was fun to watch the waiters use ordinary serving plates to cut the pig into equal portions for serving. We loved it.

Then came San Sebastián. Wow! The train trip was a bit uncomfortable as we noted but San Sebastián was a perfect ending. We loved the hotel and the view from our room was mesmerizing. Once again, our guide was delightful, helping us appreciate the city’s history and taking us to just the right places—a landmark pastry shop, a “grocery store” with the most amazing produce, the Hotel Maria Cristina and all along the waterfront. Then we had a spectacular “pinchos”- hopping jaunt with her that was a lot of fun.

San Sebastian promenade

San Sebastian

Bilbao was another memorable day trip. A great driver in his very comfortable car took us to the market downtown and drove us around a bit before dropping us off at the museum. The building is fantastic — another marvel! And thanks again for our lunch at Nerua … one of the best meals we had on the trip. The chef greeted us and gave us a few amuse-gueules while he talked about the kitchen. Then we sat down and ate and drank our way though an excellent 9-course menu. It was delicious! The wine pairing was definitely the right thing to do as the sommelier picked some very interesting wines that perfectly matched the food. (We can’t say enough good things about this place. It was better than both the two-star restaurants in Barcelona and Madrid!). The driver took us back to San Sebastián via the coast, stopping for a few minutes to let us have a look at the port in Getaria. It was a beautiful drive.

We had such a good time with our friends Stephanie and Paul, especially sharing two three-star restaurant meals back-to-back! Our dinner at Akelarre was disappointing. The location can’t be beat (lovely sunset!) and while some of the dishes were playful, innovative and very tasty, there were some clunkers along the way. All in all, it didn’t seem to be a three-star experience. We all came away thinking that it wasn’t worth the exorbitant price.

ARZAK dish

Arzak, Michelin 3*, San Sebastian

On the other hand, lunch at Arzak was one of the best culinary experiences we can remember. From start to finish, it was three-star perfection. Juan Marie Arzak couldn’t have been more charming and the entire staff was super-welcoming. (Thanks to our waiter’s guidance, we were able to order multiple half-portions à la carte, creating our own ten course menu). It was superb and, interestingly, the bill was half as much as our bill at Akelarre!

We have to thank you. From beginning to end, our journey was very well-paced, encompassing and exciting on so many levels. In general, we loved traveling by fast train—and getting a feel for the topography of Spain along the way. The car and driver parts of our journey were top-notch and so comfortable. The guides were spot-on. Thank you for all your efforts on our behalf.

Un abrazo!

Wes and Charles

Thank you Wes and Charles for such a comprehensive insight into your experience with Gourmand Breaks. On behalf of us all at Gourmand Breaks – It was our pleasure to welcome you to Spain!

 

If you enjoyed your journey with Wes and Charles and would like to experience some great Food, Wine ad Cultural experiences in Spain, and/or Portugal, we’d be delighted to customize your perfect private itinerary. You’ll find many sample itineraries to give you some ideas on our Gourmand Breaks website .

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World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 – Coming soon!

What’s Hot? – What’s Not? – Who’s cooking what in the pot?

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016 list is coming in June!!  There are literally thousands of restaurants all over the world – hundreds of thousands! – and acclaimed Restaurant Magazine narrows it down to organize, compile and present, year after year, The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards and List.

This prestigious list, coming up to its 14th year,  is an annual recollection of the opinions and experiences of over 900 international restaurant industry experts and the ceremony is attended by the world’s finest chefs, international media and the world’s most influential restaurateurs.

This year, 2016, sees the awards ceremony being presented from the United States of America, the first time the ceremony has moved from its beginnings in England from London! Will the Roca Brothers hold on to Number 1 for The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016?  

We’ll keep you updated on the results of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016  (June 13th 2016 live from New York) but in the meantime over the next couple of weeks we’ll be taking a look at the Spanish (and Portuguese) movers and shakers in our Gourmand Breaks series “A la Crème de la Crème”

But, first, here’s a quick recap……

The current Top 3 World’s Best Restaurants are:

1.El Celler de Can Roca, Girona (Spain) – THE World’s Best Restaurant 2015 + Nº1 in 2013

2.Osteria Francescana, Modena (Italy)

3.Noma, Copenhagen (Denmark) – World’s Nº1 in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014

El Celler de Can Roca, however, is not the only Spanish restaurant that features in the prestigious World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. Spain is actually home to 10% of the World’s Best 100 Restaurants, as awarded by Restaurant Magazine in 2015!

World's Current Number 1 Restaurant - Can Roca

Here’s a recap of who’s currently where on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants List and what happened last year:

6.Mugaritz, San Sebastian (Spain)

A non-mover between 2014 and 2015 staying firm at  nº 6 – First entered the prestigious list in 2006 and has remained constantly in the Top 10 ever since!  Will Mugaritz stay in the Top 10 for The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016?

13.Asador Etxebarri, Atxondo (Spain)

Received the Highest Climber Award for 2015 rising from nº 34 in 2014 to nº 13 in 2015. Will Asador Etxebarri keep climbing in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016?

17.Arzak, San Sebastian (Spain)

Surprisingly fell to nº17 in 2015  from its Top 10 position of nº 8 in 2014 !! Arzak has constantly featured in the acclaimed Restaurant Magazine World’s Best 50 restaurants list, for 10 years in the Top 10. Is this the start of decline for Arzak?

19.Azurmendi, Larrabetzu (Spain)

Climbed from nº 26 in 2014, only a few places,to nº 19 in 2015. Will Azurmendi, slowly but surely, keep climbing in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016?

39.Quique Dacosta, Denia (Spain)

Climbed in 2015, from nº 41 in 2014 but it’s a bit of a yo-yo ride for Quique Dacosta where in 2012 he entered the prestigious list at Nº 40 then rose to Nº26 for 2013 only to fall to Nº 41 for 2014 then rise again in 2015 to Nº39. Following this pattern does 2016 suggest a decline for Quique Dacosta?

42.= Tickets, Barcelona (Spain)

Climbs from nº 57 in 2014 to joint Nº42 place with Boragò, Santiago (Chile). Will the phenomenon that is Albert Adrià take Tickets even higher The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016?

59.DiverXO, Madrid (Spain)

2014 saw David Muñoz enter the prestigious list in 94th  position. In 2015 DiverXO climbed a whopping 35 places for its current 59th position!! Can we expect to see DiverXO in the Top 50 in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016?

61.Martin Berasategui, San Sebastián (Spain)

Another big faller !!!  Left the top 50 in 2015, after re-entering the prestigious list in 2014, and fell from  nº 35 to its current place at nº61!! Will Martin Berasategui fall more in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016? Or rise again and enter the Top 50?

68.Nerua, Bilbao (Spain)

NEW ENTRY for 2015 entering the list for the first time at nº68!  A great start for Nerua!! Can we expect a climb further up the list for The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2016?

Joan Roca dish

If you would like to experience some of the best restaurants Spain has on offer, then something like our Ultimate Gourmet Tour  is perfect for sophisticated diners who are looking to experience the best of Spanish cuisine.