Tag Archive for: spanish chefs

Michelin 2016 Spain & Portugal RESULTS ARE IN 

The yearlong wait is over –  The NEW MICHELIN Guide Spain and Portugal 2016 was officially presented earlier this evening LIVE from Galicia. So ……  what’s new? What’s HOT ? (What’s NOT?) Here’s the lowdown from Santiago de Compostela:

This year just 16 NEW Michelin Stars were awarded to Spain! 

* * *  NO  NEW Michelin 3 Star Restaurant in Spain 2016 * * *

We were rooting for Mugaritz and ABaC to be promoted to the Michelin 3 Star elite status but unfortunately for another year it is just not to be! So, no new Michelin 3 star restaurants in Spain will appear in the New Michelin Guide to Spain and Portugal for 2016.

However, all eight of last year’s Michelin 3 Star Restaurants in Spain retained their magnificent status to head the list of the “crème de la crème” for another year!

The 8 Wonders of Spain – Michelin 3* restaurants 2016 (in alphabetical order)

Akelarre. Pedro Subijana (Guipúzcoa)

Arzak. Juan Mari Arzak (Guipúzcoa)

Azurmendi. Eneko Atxa (Vizcaya)

DiverXO. David Muñoz (Madrid)

El Celler de Can Roca. Joan Roca (Girona) – Current World’s Number One Restaurant !!!

Martín Berasategui.  (Guipúzcoa)

Quique Dacosta. (Alicante)

Sant Pau. Carme Ruscalleda (Barcelona province)

 

* *  TWO NEW Michelin 2 Star Restaurants in Spain 2016 * *

  • Zaranda (Mallorca / Es Capdellà)
  • Coque (Humanes de Madrid)

 

No previous Michelin 2 star restaurants lost any stars so this brings the total of Michelin 2 Star Restaurants in Spain for 2016 to 20

 

*  14 NEW Michelin 1 Star Restaurants in Spain 2016 * 

Kabuki Raw (Casares, Málaga)

Sollo (Fuengirola, Málaga)

Messina (Marbella)

Acanthum (Huelva)

Disfrutar (Barcelona)

Hoja Santa (Barcelona)

Tresmacarrons (El Masnou, Barcelona)

Emporium (Castelló d’Empúries, Girona)

El Ermitaño (Benavente, Zamora)

Villena (Segovia)

El Rincón de Juan Carlos (Los Gigantes, Tenerife)

Zarate (Bilbao)

Lúa (Madrid)

Casa Marcelo (Santiago de Compostela)

Congratulations to all our wonderful Michelin Star Chefs!

 

But it’s not all good news – 9 Michelin 1 Star Restaurants from 2015 lost their star:

Ca L’ Arpa (Banyoles, Girona)

Comerç 24 (Barcelona) – due to closure

Manairó (Barcelona)

Neichel (Barcelona) – due to closure

Aizian (Bilbao)

Casa Alfonso (Dehesa de Campoamor, Alicante)

Miramón Arbelaitz (San Sebastián) – due to closure

La Casa del Carmen (Olías del Rey, Toledo)

Vertical (H.C. Aqua 4) (Valencia)

 

And over in Portugal? Our neighbors gained just 1 Michelin One Star restaurant with Bon Bon, in Carvoeiro (Faro) with the presentation of the NEW MICHELIN Guide Spain and Portugal 2016 but lost one with L’And Vineyards (Montemor-o-Novo).

 

And, here’s the FULL COMPLETE LIST of MICHELIN STARRED RESTAURANTS in SPAIN and PORTUGAL 2016

The World’s Best Restaurants 2015 FULL COMPLETE List from 1-100 plus the Individual Award Winners 2015 and Continental Restaurant Awards 2015: 

Worlds Best Top 3

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

2. Osteria Francescana, Modena (Italy)

3. Noma, Copenhagen (Denmark)

4. Central, Lima (Peru) – Best Restaurant in South America

5. Eleven Madison Park, New York (USA) – Best Restaurant in North America

6. Mugaritz, San Sebastian (Spain)

7. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, London (UK)

8. Narisawa, Tokyo (Japan) – Best Restaurant in Asia

9. D.O.M., Sao Paulo (Brazil)

10. Gaggan, Bangkok (Thailand)

11. Mirazur, Menton (France)

12. Arpège, Paris (France)

13. Asador Etxebarri, Atxondo (Spain) – Highest Climber Award 2015

14. Astrid Y Gastón, Lima (Peru)

15. Steirereck, Vienna (Austria)

16. Pujol, Mexico City (Mexico)

17. Arzak, San Sebastian (Spain)

18. Le Bernardin, New York (USA)

19. Azurmendi, Larrabetzu (Spain)

20. The Ledbury, London (UK)

21. Le Chateaubriand, Paris (France)

22. Nahm, Bangkok (Thailand)

23. White Rabbit, Moscow (Russia) – Highest New Entry Award 2015

24. Ultraviolet, Shanghai (China) – NEW ENTRY

25. Fäviken, Järpen (Sweden)

26. Alinea, Chicago (USA)

27. Piazza Duomo, Alba (Italy)

28. The Test Kitchen, Cape Town (South Africa) – Best Restaurant in Africa

29. Nihonryori RyuGin, Tokyo (Japan)

30. Vendôme, Bergisch Gladbach (Germany)

31. Restaurant Frantzén, Stockholm (Sweden)

32. Attica, Melbourne (Australia) – Best Restaurant in Australasia

33. Aqua, Wolfsburg (Germany)

34. Le Calandre, Rubano (Italy)

35. Quintonil, Mexico City (Mexico)

36. L’Astrance, Paris (France)

37. Biko, Mexico City (Mexico)

38. Amber, Hong Kong (Hong Kong)

39. Quique Dacosta, Denia (Spain)

40. Per Se, New York (USA)

41. Mani, Sao Paulo (Brazil)

42. = Tickets, Barcelona (Spain) – NEW ENTRY

42. = Boragò, Santiago (Chile) – NEW ENTRY

44. Maido, Lima (Peru) – NEW ENTRY

45. Relae, Copenhagen (Denmark) – NEW ENTRY + Sustainable Restaurant Award 2015

46. Restaurant André, Singapore (Singapore)

47. Alain Ducasse au Plaza Aathénée, Paris (France)

48. Schloss Schauenstein, Fürstenau (Switzerland)

49. Blue Hill at Stone Barms, Tarrytown (USA) – NEW ENTRY

50. The French Laundry, Yountville (USA)

51. Geranium, Copenhagen (Denmark)

52. Tim Raue, Berlin (Germany)

53. Hertog Jan, Bruges (Belgium)

54. Hof Van Cleve, Kruishoutem (Belgium)

55. The Clove Club, London (UK)

56. Saison, San Francisco (USA)

57. Septime, Paris (France)

58. Quay, Sydney (Australia)

59. DiverXO, Madrid (Spain)

60. Hedone , London (UK)

61. Martin Berasategui, San Sebastián (Spain)

62. 8 ½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana, Hong Kong (China)

63. L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon Paris, Paris (France)

64. Maaemo, Oslo (Norway)

65. Combal Zero, Rivoli (Italy)

66. Amass, Copenhagen (Denmark)

67. NoMad, New York (USA)

68. Nerua, Bilbao (Spain)

69. Momofuku Ko, New York (USA)

70. Waku Gin, Singapore

71. De Librije, Zwolle (Netherlands)

72. Restaurant at Meadowood, St. Helena (USA)

73. The Fat Duck, Bray (UK)

74. Jaan, Singapore

75. Coi, San Francisco (USA)

76. Fu He Hui, Shanghai (China)

77. Indian Accent, New Delhi (India)

78. La Maison Troisgros, Roanne (France)

79. Ryunique, Seoul (South Korea)

80. Daniel, New York (USA)

81. Joe Beef, Montreal (Canada)

82. Le Louis XV, Monte Carlo (Monaco)

83. Tegui, Buenos Aires (Argentina)

84. Sepia, Sydney (Australia) – The ONE to watch restaurant award 2015

85. L’Effervescence, Tokyo (Japan)

86. Hajime, Osaka (Japan)

87. Brae, Birregurra (Australia)

88. = The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français, Franschhoek (South Africa)

88. = Zuma, Dubai (UAE)

90. Estela, New York (USA)

91. Belcanto, Lisbon (Portugal)

92. St. John, London (UK)

93. Jungsik, Seoul (South Korea)

94. Masa, New York (USA)

95. Fu1015, Shanghai (China)

96. Mikla, Istanbul (Turkey)

97. Esperanto, Stockholm (Sweden)

98. Vila Joya, Albufeira (Portugal)

99. Lung King Heen, Hong Kong (China)

100. Manresa, Los Gatos (USA)

Individual Awards 2015:

  • The Diners Club® Lifetime Achievement Award 2015: Daniel Boulud – Restaurant Daniel, New York, USA
  • The Veuve Clicquot World’s Best Female Chef 2015: Hélène Darroze – Hélène Darroze, Paris, France and Hélène Darroze at the Connaught, London, UK
  •  The World’s Best Pastry Chef Award 2015, sponsored by Cacao Barry®: Albert Adrià – Tickets, Barcelona, Spain
  •  Chefs’ Choice Award 2015, sponsored by Gaggenau: Daniel Humm – Eleven Madison Park, New York, USA
  •  One To Watch Award 2015, sponsored by Silestone® by Cosentino: Sepia – Sydney, Australia
  • Sustainable Restaurant Award 2015, sponsored by Pago Los Balancines: Relae – Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Highest New Entry Award 2015, sponsored by LesConcierges: White Rabbit – Moscow, Russia at Number 23
  • Highest Climber Award 2015, sponsored by Lavazza: Asador Etxebarri – Atxondo, Spain at Number 13

 

Continental Restaurant Awards 2015 – SPONSORED BY ACQUA PANNA:

  • Best Restaurant in Europe – El Celler de Can Roca, Girona (Spain) at World’s Number 1
  • Best Restaurant in N. America – Eleven Madison Park, New York (USA) – at World’s Number 5
  • Best Restaurant in S. America – Central, Lima (Peru) at World’s Number 4
  • Best Restaurant in Asia – Narisawa, Tokyo (Japan) at World’s Number 8
  • Best Restaurant in Australasia – Attica, Melbourne (Australia) at World’s Number 32
  • Best Restaurant in Africa – The Test Kitchen, Cape Town (South Africa) at World’s Number 28

LIVE,  from London’s Guildhall, the results are in for THE WORLD’S 50 BEST RESTAURANTS 2015.

At the much anticipated World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards Ceremony for 2015,  held this evening at the historic Guildhall in the City of London the Top 3 are :

No 1  El Celler de Can Roca, Girona Spain, was confirmed as the World’s No 1 Restaurant for 2015!worlds best 50

The Roca Boys are Back!!!!!!!!!!

With the newly announced World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards 2015 The Roca Brothers return to Nº1 !!!

2nd and 3rd place go to:

Number 2:  Massimo Bottura climbs to Nº2 with  Osteria Francescana, Modena, Italy from last years Number 3!!!!

Number 3: NOMA falls to 3rd from last years Nº 1 !!!!!!

But, the Roca Brothers are not the only Spanish restaurant to feature among the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2015.

germans_roca

Spain is also represented, in the prestigious Top 50 list, by a number of world famous restaurants and HOT OFF THE World’s 50 Best Restaurants press here are the Spanish movers and shakers in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2015 LIST: 

  • nº 6 Mugaritz – Errenteria, Gipuzkoa –   stays firm at  nº 6  and now celebrates 10 consecutive years in the Top 10  – since first entering the list (and Top 10) in 2006!
  • nº 13 Asador Etxebarri – Atxondo –     HIGHEST CLIMBER!  from nº 34 in 2014
  • nº 17 Arzak – San Sebastián –                     falls from nº 8 in 2014 !!
  • nº 19 Azurmendi – Larrabetzu –              climbs from nº 26 in 2014
  • nº 39 Quique Dacosta – Dénia –              climbs from nº 41 in 2014
  • nº 42  Tickets – Barcelona –                         climbs from nº 57 in 2014

Albert Adrià was also awarded with Best Pastry Chef 2015, taking the crown from last year’s Jordi Roca. Keeping it in Catalonia :-)

Here is the NEW COMPLETE LIST of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2015:

  • 1. El Celler de Can Roca, Girona (Spain) – World’s Best Restaurant and Best Restaurant in Europe
  • 2. Osteria Francescana, Modena (Italy)
  • 3. Noma, Copenhagen (Denmark)
  • 4. Central, Lima (Peru) – Best Restaurant in South America, sponsored by Acqua Panna
  • 5. Eleven Madison Park, New York (USA) – Best Restaurant in North America, sponsored by Acqua Panna
  • 6. Mugaritz, San Sebastian (Spain)
  • 7. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, London (UK)
  • 8. Narisawa, Tokyo (Japan) – Best Restaurant in Asia, sponsored by Acqua Panna
  • 9. D.O.M. , Sao Paulo (Brazil)
  • 10. Gaggan, Bangkok (Thailand)
  • 11. Mirazur, Menton (France)
  • 12. Arpège, Paris (France)
  • 13. Asador Etxebarri, Atxondo (Spain) – HIGHEST CLIMBER
  • 14. Astrid Y Gastón, Lima (Peru)
  • 15. Steirereck, Vienna (Austria)
  • 16. Pujol, Mexico City (Mexico)
  • 17. Arzak, San Sebastian (Spain)
  • 18. Le Bernardin, New York (USA)
  • 19. Azurmendi, Larrabetzu (Spain)
  • 20. The Ledbury, London (UK)
  • 21. Le Chateaubriand, Paris (France)
  • 22. Nahm, Bangkok (Thailand)
  • 23. White Rabbit, Moscow (Russia) – HIGHEST NEW ENTRY
  • 24. Ultraviolet, Shanghai (China) – NEW ENTRY
  • 25. Fäviken, Järpen (Sweden)
  • 26. Alinea, Chicago (USA)
  • 27. Piazza Duomo, Alba (Italy)
  • 28. The Test Kitchen, Cape Town (South Africa) – Best Restaurant in Africa, sponsored by Acqua Panna
  • 29. Nihonryori RyuGin, Tokyo (Japan)
  • 30. Vendôme, Bergisch Gladbach (Germany)
  • 31. Restaurant Frantzén, Stockholm (Sweden)
  • 32. Attica, Melbourne (Australia) – Best Restaurant in Australasia, sponsored by Acqua Panna
  • 33. Aqua, Wolfsburg (Germany)
  • 34. Le Calandre, Rubano (Italy)
  • 35. Quintonil, Mexico City (Mexico)
  • 36. L’Astrance, Paris (France)
  • 37. Biko, Mexico City (Mexico)
  • 38. Amber, Hong Kong (Hong Kong)
  • 39. Quique Dacosta, Denia (Spain)
  • 40. Per Se, New York (USA)
  • 41. Mani, Sao Paulo (Brazil)
  • 42. Tickets, Barcelona (Spain) – NEW ENTRY
  • and Boragò, Santiago (Chile) – NEW ENTRY
  • 44. Maido, Lima (Peru) – NEW ENTRY
  • 45. Relae, Copenhagen (Denmark) – NEW ENTRY and SUSTAINABLE RESTAURANT
  • 46. Restaurant André, Singapore (Singapore)
  • 47. Alain Ducasse au Plaza Aathénée, Paris (France)
  • 48. Schloss Schauenstein, Fürstenau (Switzerland)
  • 49. Blue Hill at Stone Barms, Tarrytown (USA) – NEW ENTRY
  • 50. The French Laundry, Yountville (USA)

 

But it doesn’t end at 50! Here is the COMPLETE LIST OF The World’s 50 Best Restaurants from 51 – 100 including DiverXO at nº 59, Martín Berasategui at nº61 and NEW ENTRY Nerua Guggenheim Bilbao at nº 68.

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards and List, which is now in its 13th year, is organised and compiled by Restaurant magazine and sponsored by S Pellegrino & Acqua Panna. It is an annual recollection of the opinions and experiences of over 900 international restaurant industry experts and is attended by the world’s finest chefs, international media and the world’s most influential restaurateurs.

Next year, 2016, the World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards Ceremony will be leaving London, where it has been held since its first year, and heading to New York City!!!

Congratulations to our great Spanish Superchefs for their fantastic World rated restaurants and another year in the prestigious list!

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.

The much anticipated World’s 50 Best Restaurants will be announced tonight  at the 13th annual World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards ceremony. Live from London’s Guildhall, the ceremony, sponsored by S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna, will reveal if Noma stays at Nº 1 followed by El Celler de Can Roca at Nº 2 and  Osteria Francescana at Nº 3, as in 2014.

What’s new? What’s Hot? What’s Not? Find out tonight when the complete NEW 2015 World’s 50 Best Restaurants 1-50 are revealed from London. In the meantime what we can tell you is that 3 Spanish restaurants are featured in the NEW 2015 World’s 50 Best Restaurants 51-100:

DiverXo dish

Nº 59 DiverXO keeps climbing!! 2014 saw David Muñoz enter the prestigious list in 94th  position. This year DiverXO climbs a whopping 35 places for 59th position in 2015!! Can we expect to see DiverXO in the Top 50 in 2016?

Nº 61 Martín Berasategui leaves the top 50 as his San Sebastián restaurant, which re-entered the prestigious list in 2014, falls from last years nº 35 to this year’s nº61!!

Nº 68 Nerua Guggenheim – Bilbao – enters the list for the first time at nº68!  Josean Alija heads this Michelin 1 star restaurant with it’s privileged location in the wonderful Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.

Albert Adrià leaves the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 51-100 list with no mention in 2015 of his Barcelona restaurants Tickets and 41 Grados, nº 57 and nº74 respectively in 2014. 41 Grados is currently closed for refurbishment and relocation but can we expect to see Tickets in the Top 50 World’s 50 Best Restaurants list which will be announced tonight?

DiverXO

How do we know all this? Well, the results have already been announced, for the first time ever prior to a  World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards ceremony, for the NEW  2015 World’s 50 Best Restaurants 51-100.  Here’s the complete list:

NEW 2015 World’s 50 Best Restaurants COMPLETE LIST 51-100:

  • No. 51 Geranium – Copenhagen, Denmark
  • No. 52 Tim Raue – Berlin, Germany
  • No. 53 Hertog Jan – Bruges, Belgium
  • No. 54 Hof Van Cleve – Kruishoutem, Belgium
  • No. 55 The Clove Club – London, UK
  • No. 56 Saison – San Francisco, USA
  • No. 57 Septime – Paris, France
  • No. 58 Quay – Sydney, Australia
  • No. 59 Diverxo – Madrid, Spain
  • No. 60 Hedone – London, UK
  • No. 61 Martin Berasategui – San Sebastián, Spain
  • No. 62 8 ½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana – Hong Kong, China
  • No. 63 L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon Paris – Paris, France
  • No. 64 Maaemo – Oslo, Norway
  • No. 65 Combal Zero – Rivoli, Italy
  • No. 66 Amass – Copenhagen, Denmark
  • No. 67 NoMad – New York, USA
  • No. 68 Nerua – Bilbao, Spain
  • No. 69 Momofuku Ko – New York, USA
  • No. 70 Waku Gin – Singapore
  • No. 71 De Librije – Zwolle, Netherlands
  • No. 72 Restaurant at Meadowood – St. Helena, USA
  • No. 73 The Fat Duck – Bray, UK
  • No. 74 Jaan – Singapore
  • No. 75 Coi – San Francisco, USA
  • No. 76 Fu He Hui – Shanghai, China
  • No. 77 Indian Accent  – New Delhi, India
  • No. 78 La Maison Troisgros – Roanne, France
  • No. 79 Ryunique – Seoul, South Korea
  • No. 80 Daniel – New York, USA
  • No. 81 Joe Beef – Montreal, Canada
  • No. 82 Le Louis XV – Monte Carlo, Monaco
  • No. 83 Tegui – Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • No. 84 Sepia – Sydney, Australia
  • No. 85 L’Effervescence – Tokyo, Japan
  • No. 86 Hajime – Osaka, Japan
  • No. 87 Brae – Birregurra, Australia
  • No. 88 = The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français – Franschhoek, South Africa
  • No. 88 = Zuma – Dubai, UAE
  • No. 90 Estela – New York, USA
  • No. 91 Belcanto – Lisbon, Portugal
  • No. 92 St. John – London, UK
  • No. 93 Jungsik – Seoul, South Korea
  • No. 94 Masa – New York, USA
  • No. 95 Fu1015 – Shanghai, China
  • No. 96 Mikla – Istanbul, Turkey
  • No. 97 Esperanto – Stockholm, Sweden
  • No. 98 Vila Joya – Albufeira, Portugal
  • No. 99 Lung King Heen – Hong Kong, China
  • No. 100 Manresa – Los Gatos, USA

worlds best 50

 

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.

It’s not “New” by any means, it’s been around for decades, but it’s the Nouvelle Cuisine of the Basque Country and it’s Nouvellicious. The revolution in Basque kitchens started in the 70’s and today the Forefathers of Basque Cuisine rub shoulders with the Modern chefs to promote this radically original cuisine with a splash of  style, a touch of expertise, a dash of creativity and sprinkling of pride.

The New Basque Cuisine revolutionized the world when, in 1976, Juan Mari Arzak and Pedro Subijana, today regarded as the forefathers of the New Basque cuisine, set off to France in search of new techniques. Inspired by the work of Paul Bocuse, they went to Lyon to learn the secrets of Nouvelle Cuisine. The trip proved invaluable and on their return they set up a collaborative group that formed the foundations of the Basque Nouvelle Cuisine movement – a Basque cuisine revolution began.

Arzak dish

The group revived and improved traditional recipes by using modern methods and innovative techniques. The goal was evolution although at the same time sticking to local tradition and the best quality regional products. Using traditional ingredients, chefs created new and innovative dishes offering lighter and less rustic versions of traditional dishes and flavors.

A new culinary movement was born – the Nueva Cocina Vasca – New Basque Cuisine, and in a few years the movement swept across Spain to become the default haute cuisine and by the 1990′s the New Basque Cuisine had spread worldwide.

Over the next 25 years, pioneering Spanish chefs began creating a new Spanish cuisine, experimenting with new techniques, and the term “molecular gastronomy” was born.

Martín Berasategui dish

Today the Basque Country and its’ chefs continue to enjoy international acclaim for their cooking in Michelin starred restaurants. More informally, many tapas bars, especially in San Sebastián, serve modern-style pintxos employing novel techniques and ingredients and in more recent years, young chefs, such as Martin Berasategui, have given new stimulus to Basque cuisine.

Mugaritz Dish

What better place to enjoy the New Basque Cuisine and the playful, innovative and twisted genre of molecular gastronomy than in the Basque Country. Join us on a Private Food and Wine Tour to include the Basque Country where you can enjoy the New Basque Cuisine in the heart of the action.

 

Can Michelin 3* restaurant, El Celler de Can Roca, Girona, knock NOMA in Copenhagen off the top spot this year at the World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards to be held this year in June ?  All will be revealed on Monday!!

El Celler de Can Roca

 

El Celler de Can Roca was awarded the acclaimed Nº 1 status, at the head of Restaurant Magazine’s prestigious list, in 2013, but last year Noma reclaimed it’s crown as Number 1 Restaurant  in the World for 2014.

Noma was first awarded the Nº 1 spot in 2010, after stealing the crown that El Bulli had held for the previous 4 years.  2011 and 2012 saw René Redzepi winning the award yet again, but in 2013 Noma lost  first place position to El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, Spain, which became the new World’s Number 1 Restaurant for just 1 year, 2013.

Just a year lapse or is Noma back on top for good?

All will be revealed on June 1st when the World’s Best Restaurants for 2015 are announced!

Noma - Nº 1 restaurant 2014

We, at Gourmand Breaks, do not cover Denmark but why not join us on a Gourmet Private tour of Spain and/or Portugal  to escape into a Gourmet World of sublime enjoyment with a chance to dine in top restaurants in Barcelona, Madrid or Lisbon for example.

The Michelin Guide to Spain and Portugal 2015 was presented last month!  With little surprises for Spain with only 20 NEW Michelin Stars being awarded here’s the FULL Complete List of ALL Michelin Starred Restaurants in Spain for 2015

No NEW Michelin 3 star restaurants keeping the total of 8 Michelin 3 star restaurants in the Michelin Guide Spain for 2015:

Akelarre. Pedro Subijana (Guipúzcoa)

Arzak. Juan Mari Arzak (Guipúzcoa)

Azurmendi. Eneko Atxa (Vizcaya)

DiverXO. David Muñoz (Madrid)

El Celler de Can Roca. Joan Roca (Girona)

Martín Berasategui (Guipúzcoa)

Quique Dacosta (Alicante)

Sant Pau. Carme Ruscalleda (Barcelona province)

 

1 NEW Michelin 2 star restaurant bringing the total to 18 Michelin 2 star restaurants in the Michelin Guide Spain for 2015:

Abac. Jordi Cruz (Barcelona)

Aponiente. Ángel León – El Puerto de Santa María (Cádiz)  NEW

Atrio. Toño Pérez (Cáceres)

Calima. Dani García (Marbella)

Casa Marcial. Nacho Manzano (Asturias)

El Club Allard. María Marte (Madrid)

El Portal. Francis Paniego (La Rioja)

Enoteca. Paco Pérez (Barcelona)

La terraza del Casino. Paco Roncero (Madrid)

Lasarte. Martín Berasategui. (Barcelona)

Les Cols. Fina Puigdevall (Girona)

M.B. Martín Berasategui (Santa Cruz de Tenerife)

Miramar. Paco Pérez (Girona)

Moments. Raül Balam (Barcelona)

Mugaritz. Andoni Luis Aduriz (Guipuzcoa)

Ramón Freixa (Madrid)

Santceloni. Óscar Velasco (Madrid)

Sergi Arola Gastro (Madrid)

 

 

19 NEW Michelin 1 star restaurants in Spain, bringing the total to 143 Michelin 1 star restaurants in the Michelin Guide Spain for 2015:

* Andalucía

  • Choco (Córdoba)
  • La Costa (El Ejido)
  • José Carlos García (Málaga)
  • El Lago (Marbella)
  • Skina (Marbella)
  • Alejandro (Roquetas de Mar)
  • Abantal (Sevilla)

 

* Aragón

  • Las Torres (Huesca)
  • Lillas Pastia (Huesca)
  • Tatau Bistro (Huesca)   NEW
  • Hospedería El Batán (Tramacastilla)
  • La Prensa (Zaragoza)

 

* Asturias

  • El Corral del Indianu (Arriondas)
  • Auga (Gijón)
  • La Salgar (Gijón)
  • El Retiro (Llanes / Pancar)  NEW
  • Casa Gerardo (Prendes)
  • Arbidel (Ribadesella)
  • Real Balneario (Salinas)

 

* Baleares (Islands)

  • Zaranda (Mallorca / Es Capdellà)
  • Andreu Genestra (Mallorca / Capdepera)  NEW
  • Es Molí d’En Bou (Mallorca / Sa Coma)
  • Es Racó d’Es Tix (Mallorca / Deià)
  • Simply Fosh (Mallorca / Palma)   NEW
  • Es Fum (Mallorca / Palmanova)
  • Jardín (Mallorca / Port d’Alcudia)
  • Can Dani (Formentera / Sant Ferrán de ses Roques)  NEW

 

* Canarias (Islands)

  • Kabuki (Tenerife / Guía de Isora)
  • Kazan (Tenerife / Santa Cruz de Tenerife)   NEW

 

* Cantabria

  • Solana (Ampuero / La Bien Aparecida)
  • El Nuevo Molino (Puente Arce)
  • Annua (San Vicente de la Barquera)
  • El Serbal (Santander)
  • Cenador de Amós (Villaverde de Pontones)

 

* Castilla-La Mancha

  • Maralba (Almansa)
  • El Bohío (Illescas)
  • La Casa del Carmen (Olías del Rey)
  • Las Rejas (Las Pedroñeras)
  • El Carmen de Montesión (Toledo)  NEW
  • Tierra (Torrico / Valdepalacios)

 

* Castilla y León

  • Cocinandos (León)
  • La Botica (Matapozuelos)
  • La Lobita (Navaleno)  NEW
  • Víctor Gutiérrez (Salamanca)
  • Refectorio (Sardón de Duero)  NEW

 

* Catalonia

  • Les Magnòlies (Arbúcies)
  • Ca l’Arpa (Banyoles)
  • Alkimia (Barcelona)
  • Angle (Barcelona)
  • Caelis (Barcelona)
  • Cinc Sentits (Barcelona)
  • Comerç 24 (Barcelona)
  • Dos Cielos (Barcelona)
  • Dos Palillos (Barcelona)
  • Gaig (Barcelona)
  • Hisop (Barcelona)
  • Hofmann (Barcelona)
  • Koy Shunka (Barcelona)
  • Manairó (Barcelona)
  • Nectari (Barcelona)
  • Neichel (Barcelona)
  • Pakta (Barcelona)   NEW
  • Roca Moo (Barcelona)
  • Saüc (Barcelona)
  • Tickets (Barcelona)
  • Vía Veneto (Barcelona)
  • Lluerna (Santa Coloma de Gramenet)
  • Can Jubany (Calldetenes)
  • Can Bosch (Cambrils)
  • Rincón de Diego (Cambrils)
  • Estany Clar (Cercs),
  • Bo.Tic (Corçà)
  • Malena (Gimenells)
  • Massana (Girona)
  • La Fonda Xesc (Gombrèn)
  • Casamar (Llafranc)
  • Els Tinars (Llagostera)
  • Sala (Olot)
  • Els Brancs (Roses / Playa de Canyelles Petites)
  • Els Casals (Sagàs)
  • L’Ó (Sant Fruitós de Bages)
  • Fogony (Sort)
  • Capritx (Terrassa)
  • La Cuina de Can Simon (Tossa de Mar)
  • Les Moles (Ulldecona)
  • Ca l’Enric (La Vall de Bianya)
  • Villa Retiro (Xerta)

 

* Galicia

  • Yayo Daporta (Cambados)
  • A Estación (Cambre)
  • Alborada (A Coruña)
  • Árbore da Veira (A Coruña)
  • Culler de Pau (O Grove / Reboredo)
  • As Garzas (Malpica de Bergantiños / Porto Barizo)
  • Nova (Ourense)   NEW
  • Solla (Pontevedra / San Salvador de Poio)
  • Pepe Vieira (Raxo)
  • Retiro da Costiña (Santa Comba)
  • Silabario (Tui)
  • Maruja Limón (Vigo)

 

* Madrid (Community)

  • Casa José (Aranjuez)
  • Coque (Humanes de Madrid)
  • DSTAgE (Madrid)  NEW
  • Kabuki (Madrid)
  • Kabuki Wellington (Madrid)
  • La Cabra (Madrid)  NEW
  • Punto MX (Madrid)  NEW
  • Álbora (Madrid)  NEW
  • Montia (San Lorenzo de El Escorial)  NEW
  • Chirón (Valdemoro)

 

* Murcia (Region)

  • La Cabaña de la Finca Buenavista (Murcia / El Palmar)

 

* Navarra

  • Europa (Iruña)
  • Rodero (Iruña)
  • El Molino de Urdániz (Urdaitz)

 

* Basque Country

  • Boroa (Amorebieta / Boroa)
  • Etxebarri (Axpe)
  • Aizian (Bilbao)  NEW
  • Etxanobe (Bilbao)
  • Mina (Bilbao)
  • Nerua (Bilbao)
  • Zortziko (Bilbao)
  • Kokotxa (Donostia)
  • Mirador de Ulía (Donostia)
  • Miramón Arbelaitz (Donostia)
  • Marqués de Riscal (Elciego)
  • Andra Mari (Galdakao)
  • Elkano (Getaria)   NEW
  • Alameda (Hondarribia)
  • Zuberoa (Oiartzun)
  • Zaldiarán (Vitoria)

 

* La Rioja

  • Venta Moncalvillo (Daroca de Rioja)

 

* Valencia (Community)

  • Monastrell (Alicante)
  • L’Escaleta (Cocentaina)
  • Casa Manolo (Daimús)   NEW
  • Casa Alfonso (Dehesa de Campoamor)
  • La Finca (Elche)
  • Casa Pepa (Ondara)
  • El Poblet (Valencia)
  • La Sucursal (Valencia)
  • Ricard Camarena (Valencia)
  • Riff (Valencia)
  • Vertical (Valencia)
  • Cal Paradís (Vall d’Alba)
  • BonAmb (Xàbia)

 

But it’s not all about giving. 3 restaurants lost their stars according to the inspector’s valuations and 6 lost them because they are either closed temporarily or permanently:

L’Aliança d’Anglès (Anglès / Girona)
Zalacain (Madrid)
Bal d’Onsera (Zaragoza)
41º de Barcelona (Closed temporarily)

Ars Natura de Cuenca (Closed temporarily)
Delacalle de Aranjuez (Closed)
La Llar de Castelló d’Empúries (Closed)
Mas Pau de Figueres (Closed)
Julio de Fontanars dels Aforins (Closed)

 

With Spanish Chefs taking the World by storm, now is the time to visit Spain with 10% of the World’s Best Restaurants and numerous Michelin starred Restaurants!  On one of our Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours you can indulge in the Best Michelin Starred Restaurants in Spain.  Contact us for your personalized quote.

 

We are delighted to announce the NEW MICHELIN Guide Spain and Portugal 2015 results!

There was a great celebration tonight in Marbella, at the Hotel Los Monteros, following the announcement of the results for the New Spain and Portugal Michelin Guide 2015.  With the NEW, hot off the grill, results for the Michelin Guide for Spain 2015, the country is certainly sparkling for yet another a year !!!!!

This year a mighty TWENTY new Michelin Stars were awarded to Spain!

  * * *  NO  NEW Michelin 3 Star Restaurant in Spain 2015 * * *

Strange, but true! No new Michelin 3 star restaurants will appear in the Michelin Guide to Spain and Portugal for 2015. However, all eight of last years Michelin 3 Star Restaurants in Spain retained their magnificent status to head the list of the “crème de la crème” for yet another year!

The 8 Wonders of Spain – Michelin 3* restaurants 2015 (in alphabetical order)

Akelarre Michelin 3*Restaurant. Pedro Subijana (Guipúzcoa)

Arzak Michelin 3*Restaurant. Juan Mari Arzak (Guipúzcoa)

Azurmendi Michelin 3*Restaurant . Eneko Atxa (Vizcaya)

DiverXO Michelin 3*Restaurant . David Muñoz (Madrid)

El Celler de Can Roca Michelin 3*Restaurant . Joan Roca (Girona)

Martín Berasategui Michelin 3*Restaurant. (Guipúzcoa)

Quique Dacosta Michelin 3*Restaurant. (Alicante)

Sant Pau Michelin 3*Restaurant. Carme Ruscalleda (Barcelona province)

 * *  ONE NEW Michelin 2 Star Restaurant in Spain 2015 * *

ONLY one new Michelin 2 star restaurant in Spain announced by the Michelin Guide Spain and Portugal 2015:

Aponiente –  Angel León in El Puerto de Santa Maria, Cádiz

 *  19 NEW Michelin 1 Star Restaurants in Spain 2015 *  

Mugaritz !!!  A regular deception in the Michelin Guide for Spain over recent years! Every year we all hope that the great 2 Michelin starred Basque restaurant, Mugaritz, will be promoted (after all it has been a World Top 10 restaurant since 2006 and is currently rated 6th Best Restaurant in the World by Restaurant Magazine).  No exception this year! Mugaritz restaurant did not receive a well deserved 3rd Michelin star.

Barcelona city, yet again,  fails to receive that 3rd Michelin star, to be able to boast about a TriStar restaurant.  However, the city does maintain its fabulous four Michelin 2 star restaurants: ABaC (Jordi Cruz), Enoteca (Paco Pérez), Lasarte (Martín Berasategui) and Moments (Raül Balam), and numerous Michelin 1 star restaurants.

 

Congratulations to our wonderful Spanish Michelin Star Chefs!

 

With Spanish Chefs taking the World by storm, now is the time to visit Spain with 10% of the World’s Best Restaurants and numerous Michelin starred Restaurants!  On one of our Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours you can indulge in the Best Michelin Starred Restaurants in Spain.  Contact us for your personalized quote.

The Michelin Guide to Spain and Portugal 2015 is just days away! We’ll keep you updated with the results of the Michelin Starred Restaurants in Spain for 2015 on Wednesday, but in the meantime we’re showcasing some of the Best Michelin starred Chefs in Spain, if not the World! Our own Pre-Michelin Guide Spain 2015 SuperChef Series by Gourmand Breaks is an insight into the world of some of the current Michelin 3 star and Michelin 2 star chefs in Spain!

Previously, we showcased Michelin 3 star chefs Juan Mari Arzak, Martín Berasategui, Carme Ruscalleda, Quique Dacosta and David Muñoz plus Michelin 2 star chefs Paco Pérez, Andoni Luis Aduritz and Jordi Cruz.  In no particular order, today a Michelin 3 Starred chef with one of the Best Restaurants in the World and 2 expert side-kicks:

Joan Roca– Proudly heads the cuisine at Michelin 3 star restaurant El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, which is also placed 2nd in the Top 50 restaurants of the World list for 2014 by Restaurant magazine.  To be enjoyed on one of our Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours :)

Joan Roca

Joan Roca was born in 1964 in Girona. His earliest memories of cooking are with his mother in the kitchen of their family owned restaurant  “Can Roca”, which opened in 1967 serving traditional Catalan cuisine. It is no surprise, therefore, that Joan Roca along with his brothers,  Josep and Jordi, ended up in the restaurant business.

Joan Roca studied at culinary school in Girona and worked at Georges Blanc in Vonnas as well as with Ferran Adrià at El Bulli.

In 1986 Joan Roca, along with his brothers, opened El Celler de Can Roca, next door to their parents’ restaurant Can Roca. The restaurant, however, was small, it was a tight, ill-suited space, with a small kitchen and a modest decor. In 2007 El Celler de Can Roca moved, basically down the road, to its current purpose built building with a kitchen large enough for 30 chefs and a dining room featuring wooden floors and simply dressed tables. The word “Roca” in the Catalan (and Spanish) language means “Rock” so on each table sits three stones which represent the three Roca brothers.

El Celler de Can Roca serves traditional Catalan cuisine, but with creative twists and unusual presentations via avant-garde and molecular gastronomy techniques. The wine cellar at El Celler de Can Roca restaurant  is extensive to say the least and houses around 60,000 bottles.

El Celler de Can Roca entered the Michelin starred restaurant  world in Spain with its first Michelin star in 1995. In 2002 El Celler de Can Roca received it’s second Michelin star and in 2009 the 3rd star arrived making El Celler de Can Roca the Michelin 3 star restaurant that it is today.

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 rose to 5th place and since then has always appeared in the Top 10 with it reaching the Number 1 spot, THE Best Restaurant in the World, in 2013. El Celler de Can Roca is currently, for 2014, placed in 2nd place behind Noma by René Redzepi, in Copenhagen.

Joan Roca dish

But, as mentioned, Joan Roca is not a solo artist here at Michelin 3 star restaurant El Celler de Can Roca. While Joan oversees the cuisine, his 2 younger brothers complete the restaurant with Josep selecting the wines and Jordi handling the pastry.

The 3 musketeers, or Rocateers if you will, react and interact with each other, combining their fortes, to present one the World’s Best Restaurants and Michelin 3 Starred restaurant El Celler de Can Roca:

Josep Roca – the middle brother and sommelier

Wine pairings are important and are evident in many of the signature dishes of El Celler de Can Roca, which are the result of a close collaboration between Josep and Joan – Josep breaks down the notes of a wine and Joan creates a dish to complement it.

Jordi Roca – the youngest brother and dessert chef

Desserts at El Celler de Can Roca also take on a modern twist.  Jordi Roca also studied at the Girona School of Hotel Industry and when finished he joined The Celler team. Here in the pastry and desserts section, he got to know Damian Allsop and discovered the secret of the craft of pastry. In 2000 when Allsop left El Celler de Can Roca, Jordi Roca became the manager of the restaurant desserts.  Jordi Roca is also the driving force behind Rocambolesc, an alternative but affordable vintage style ice cream shop in the center of Girona.

Also by the Roca Brothers:

Mas Marroch – located on the outskirts of Girona it is the El Celler de Can Roca branch for banquets and celebrations. It is a 15th century masia surrounded by nature in the middle of fruit trees offering El Celler de Can Roca classic contempory cuisine for banquets and celebrations.

Roca Moo – Barcelona

Michelin 1 star restaurant in the Hotel Omm, Barcelona. Modern Catalan cuisine with a special twist, overseen by El Celler de Can Roca.

Roca Bar – Barcelona

Casual yet creative cuisine served in the lobby bar of the Hotel Omm, Barcelona. The Roca brothers take on street-food that also inludes an oyster bar and hand sliced Joselito ham.

El Somni  a cross-media creation taking several forms: an ultimate dining experience, the making of a film, the conception of two exhibitions and the publishing of a book.  All outlining the process of creation and adventure and a union between the arts and the kitchen at the service of thought.

El Celler de Can Roca On Tour – In August of 2014 El Celler de Can Roca  hit the road, literally, staff and all, with “Roca & Roll,” the Rocas’ response to numerous requests to open restaurants worldwide, bringing El Celler on a culinary tour to cities across the globe. This year, with the collaboration of the financial group BBVA, they took their skills to the United States, to Houston and Dallas, before going south to the Mexican cities of Monterrey and Mexico City, followed by Bogotá, Colombia and ended in Lima, Peru.

Celler de Can Roca

With Spanish Chefs taking the World by storm, now is the time to visit Spain, home to 10% of the World’s Best Restaurants and numerous Michelin starred Restaurants!  On one of our Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours you can indulge in the Best Michelin Starred Restaurants in Spain.  Contact us for your personalized quote.

The Michelin Guide to Spain and Portugal 2015 is fast approaching and we’ll keep you updated with the results of the Michelin Starred Restaurants in Spain for 2015! In the meantime, over the next few days we’ll be showcasing some of the Best Michelin starred Chefs in Spain, if not the World, with our own Pre-Michelin Guide Restaurants 2015 SuperChef Series by Gourmand Breaks – An insight into the world of some of the current Michelin 3 star and Michelin 2 star chefs in Spain!

Previously, we showcased Michelin 3 star chefs Martín Berasategui, Carme Ruscalleda, Quique Dacosta and David Muñoz  as well as Michelin 2 star chefs Paco Pérez, Andoni Luis Aduritz  and Jordi Cruz.  In no particular order, today a Michelin 3 Starred chef considered the master chef of the New Basque Cuisine:

Juan Mari Arzak– Proudly heads long standing Michelin 3 star restaurant Arzak and is a highly respected and influential Basque chef and forefather of the New Basque Cuisine.  To be enjoyed on one of our Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours :)

Juan Mari Arzak was born in 1942 in San Sebastián. As a boy, he helped out at his grandparent’s restaurant which his parents, and subsequently he, took over.  His real interest, however, in the eculinary world came when he studied  hotel and restaurant management in Madrid.  After Juan Mari Arzak then completed his compulsory military stint he returned to the family restaurant and began training as a chef, where he was made responsible for roasting meat.

Arzak restaurant, as it is known today,  was origanally built in 1897 by Juan Mari Arzak’s grandparents and was a popular bar renowned for serving wine of dubious quality to the locals. When his parents took over  it was transformed into a restaurant serving traditional San Sebastián recipes and gained a reputation for refinement and quality.

In 1966 Juan Mari Arzak began to work in the restaurant alongside his Mother (his father had died in 1951). He began experimenting with modern gastronomy and the restaurant began to evolve.  A year later, his wife, Maite Espina, also joined the restaurant and began transforming the front-of-house operations. By 1974, they had had two children, Marta and Elena, and the restaurant had been awarded its first Michelin star. 3 years later Arzak restaurant was awarded it’s 2nd Michelin Star and in 1989 Arzak restaurant was awarded it’s status as a Michelin three star restaurant in Spain, a title it has held ever since.

Arzak dish

Juan Mari Arzak was determined to keep evolving his style and  in 1976  with his friend Pedro Subijana, and inspired by the work of Paul Bocuse, set off to Lyon to learn the secrets of Nouvelle cuisine. The trip proved invaluable and they set up a collaborative group that would form the foundations of the Basque nouvelle cuisine movement,  a Basque cuisine revolution if you will.  The group revived and improved traditional recipes by using moderm methods and innovative techniques. The goal was evolution although at the same time sticking to local tradition and the best quality regional ingredients. By the 1990’s the New Basque Cuisine  spread worldwide.

Michelin 3 star restaurant Arzak has constantly featured in the acclaimed Restaurant Magazine World’s Best 50 restaurants list where it appeared for the first 2 years in 22nd and 21st place respectively. For the last 9 years, Arzak restaurant has been placed in the Top 10 of this prestigious list and it’s current position for 2014 is at Nº 8 (where it has not moved from since 2011).

Long-standing Michelin 3 star restaurant Arzak  is located in a residential area on one of the hills overlooking San Sebastián, a short drive from the town center.

Arzak entrance

 The long family tradition of Michelin 3 starred restaurant Arzak is set to live on, as his daughter, Elena joins him at Michelin 3 star restaurant Arzak. Elena Arzak is training under her father to take over the family restaurant.  Already an award winning chef she, Elena Arzak, won the “Veuve Clicquot World’s Best Female Chef” at the “World’s 50 Best Restaurant Awards 2012”.

Also by Juan Mari and Elena Arzak

Ametsa with Arzak Instruction, London

This fine dining eatery brings the contemporary Basque country cooking to England. The restaurant is located at the Halkin Hotel in the Belgravia district of London and was awarded its first Michelin star in 2014.

 

With Spanish Chefs taking the World by storm, now is the time to visit Spain, home to 10% of the World’s Best Restaurants and numerous Michelin starred Restaurants!  On one of our Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours you can indulge in the Best Michelin Starred Restaurants in Spain.  Contact us for your personalized quote.