Here comes
my top 9 for 2016. Last year was a culinary journey through flavors and
experiences.
- In Barcelona, I will start with Moments that I visited in January. I will define the tasting menu as elegant & surprising. I enjoyed each bite, loved the soothing ambiance and the great service. The stylish chef, Raul Balam Ruscalleda - one of my favorite chef in town- didn’t defraud in taste and style as the dishes passed by.
- We will continue with Abac. It wasn’t our first visit at Abac and to dear chef Jordi Cruz, my favorite chef. This time the tasting menu surpassed our expectations with a meal that lasted 4 hours. Surprising dishes & flavors came by and the perfect service to accompany it. It may have 2 michelin stars, but definitely deserves more. A magical experience where the dishes, flavors, ambiance & service are on par.
Abac Restaurant in the Abac Hotel.
- We discovered Via Veneto, half a century old; it was our first time there. Pure elegance, this restaurant offers a Catalan cuisine with a French twist. A very special experience in the old time setting, you get the royal treatment.
- We will continue with a very casual place, a pizzeria actually. Casual setting, communal tables and curious stools, it has been one of our great discovery. We just loved Parking Pizza. You are welcomed with a great aroma and their pizzas are delicious as well as their salads.
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- We will finish with Roca Bar in the Hotel Omm. It is not new, but it’s one place we go often. It is in the lobby of the hotel, and has great live music on weekends. It offers tapas and small dishes to share. I love their cheese platter. Roca Moo is the gastronomic restaurant overseen by the Roca Brothers of Celler deCan Roca, and the Roca bar is the more casual version. Smooth ambiance and excellent service, I could even say one of the best service in town.
- Around the globe.
Let’s now travel in Europe & Asia.
- Loved Jinjuu, Jinjuu meaning “PEARL”, is London’s premier modern Korean food restaurant with celebrity chef, Judy Joo, at the helm. It serves traditional food in a contemporary style. Loved the décor and ambiance in JinJuu Hong Kong. The London Soho Jinjuu opened first, one year back it opened in the hip district Lan Kwai Fong in Honk Kong. Very soon Jinjuu is opening another outlet in the Mayfair district in London.
Hum… Peace
comes from within. This place in beautiful Vietnam in the buzzing city of HoChi Min was an oasis of peace. Fresh & healthy ingredients are served in
tasteful vegetarian plates. It definitely deserves to be mentioned on this
list.
On a more
casual note Hoppers in London was a wonderful discovery. Sri Lanka & Tamil
Nadu inspired dishes are served in this small joint in London. Younger sister
of Michelin star Gymkhana you can expect the best flavors in this casual
place. First come, first served.
Pa Pa Ya in
Mumbai was a culinary journey through Asian contemporary dishes. Modern cuisine
with traditional flavors. I didn’t like the fact that they were situated in a
mall, but apart from that everything else was excellent.
On this
note, I end this post wishing you all a wonderful new year where your personal
& gastronomic experiences merge into a wonderful voyage. Share them with us
on jyoti@bellebarcelone.com.
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@bellebarcelone.