Marg and Phil Roeterdink joined us from Perth, Australia, back in May/June 2015, for their Private Gourmand Breaks Food, Wine and Cultural Tour covering Spain and Portugal.  In a Customized 17 day itinerary Marg and Phil were able to experience the sights and delights of Barcelona, Granada, Seville, Cordoba, Ronda, Salamanca and Madrid in Spain as well as Lisbon and the Douro Valley in Portugal. Marg has since shared  her impressions with us through paintings that she entered into her Personal Journal along the way.

Here are some of the beautiful paintings that Marg has very kindly allowed us to share with you:

Marg Barcelona

Marg Cordoba

Marg Farmhouse

Marg Granada

Marg Lisbon

 

Many thanks againto Marg for sharing these beautiful impressions of the Spanish and Portuguese experiences she shared with her husband Phil.

We’d love to help you make your own special memories  too in Spain and Portugal and look forward to welcoming you on a Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tour with Gourmand Breaks.

Repsol recently announced their New Guide for Spain and Portugal Restaurants 2016! But! – I hear you say – “Didn’t we just have the New Michelin Guide for Spain and Portugal 2016 announced?”

The answer is YES! The New Michelin Guide for Spain and Portugal 2016 was presented in November and offers us 174 Michelin Starred Restaurants in Spain and 14 Michelin Starred Restaurants in Portugal for 2016.

Mugaritz Dish

So – you ask – “What is the Repsol Guide? and what do they award?”

Well, for over 35 years Repsol has been highlighting the best restaurants in Spain and Portugal, and similar to Michelin, every year, awards the best restaurants and publishes the New Guide.  While Michelin awards Stars, Repsol awards Suns.

The Repsol Suns, as the Michelin Stars, are prestigious distinctions, a symbol of culinary excellence awarded to the best restaurants and chefs in Spanish and Portuguese gastronomy. It is no surprise, therefore, to find lots of Michelin stars shining in the Repsol Guide. The highest accolade is 3 suns, then 2, then 1 – Just like Michelin.

However, Repsol is a little more generous than Michelin and offers a total of 476 restaurants in Spain (36 with Three Suns, 147 with Two Suns and 293 with One Sun) and 88 restaurants in Portugal (7 with Three Suns, 21 with Two Suns and 60 with One Sun)

As you can imagine, with 564 Repsol Sun Restaurants between Spain and Portugal 2016, that’s a looooooooog list. So here are the  REPSOL 3 SUN RESTAURANTS FOR SPAIN AND PORTUGAL 2016 (36 in Spain and 7 in Portugal compared with 8 Michelin Three Star restaurants in Spain 2016 and 0 Michelin Three Star Restaurants in Portugal 2016 ):

 

SPAIN 2016 – Three Soles “3 Suns” Restaurants

ABaC – Michelin 2* – Barcelona

Akelarre  – Michelin 3*- Donostia/San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa

Aponiente – Michelin 2* – El Puerto de Santa María, Cádiz

Arzak  – Michelin 3* – Donostia/San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa

Atrio – Michelin 2* – Cáceres

Azurmendi  – Michelin 3* – Larrabetzu, Bizkaia

Cabaña Buenavista [NEW] –  Michelin 1* – El Palmar, Murcia

Can Jubany  – Michelin 1* – Calldetenes, Barcelona

Sant Pau – Michelin 3* – Sant Pol de Mar, Barcelona

Casa Gerardo  – Michelin 1* – Prendes, Asturias

Cenador de Amós  – Michelin 1* – Villaverde de Pontones, Cantabria

Coque  – Michelin 2* – Humanes de Madrid, Madrid

Dani García – Michelin 2* – Marbella, Málaga

DiverXo – Michelin 3* – Madrid

Dos Cielos  – Michelin 1* – Barcelona

El Celler de Can Roca  –  Michelin 3* – Girona

El Portal – Michelin 2* – Ezcaray, La Rioja

Etxebarri (Asador) – Michelin 1* – Atxondo, Bizkaia

Hispània  – Arenys de Mar, Barcelona

Kabuki Wellington – Michelin 1* – Madrid

L’Escaleta – Michelin 1* – Cocentaina, Alicante

La Terraza del Casino – Michelin 2* – Madrid

Martín Berasategui – Michelin 3* – Lasarte-Oria, Gipuzkoa

Mugaritz – Michelin 2* – Errentería, Gipuzkoa

Nerua  – Michelin 1* – Bilbao, Bizkaia

O’Pazo – Madrid

Quique Dacosta Restaurante –  Michelin 3* – Dénia, Alicante

Ramón Freixa – Michelin 2* – Madrid,

Ricard Camarena – Michelin 1*- Valencia

Rodero – Michelin 1* – Pamplona, Navarra

Santceloni – Michelin 2* – Madrid

Sergi Arola – UPDATE: CLOSED in September 2016 – Sot (part of his restaurant which is Michelin 2*) – Madrid

Solla – Michelin 1* – San Salvador de Poio, Pontevedra

Vía Veneto – Michelin 1* – Barcelona

Zalacaín – Madrid

Zuberoa –  Michelin 1* – Oiartzun, Gipuzkoa

 

PORTUGAL – Three Soles “3 Suns” Restaurants

Belcanto – Michelin 2* – Lisbon

Feitoria – Michelin 1* – Lisbon

Fortaleza do Guincho – Michelin 1* – Cascais, Lisbon

Il Gallo D’Oro – Michelin 1* – Funchal, Madeira

Ocean – Michelin 2* – Armação de Pêra, Algarve

Sâo Gabriel – Michelin 1* – Almancil,  Algarve

Vila Joya – Michelin 2* – Albufeira, Algarve

 

Eurocore HiScan PM3

 

Experience Michelin Starred and Repsol Sunned Restaurant dining opportunities on one of our Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours .   You will have the chance to indulge in the best restaurants in Spain and Portugal!  Contact us for your personalized quote.

Heading to Portugal as part of your next European adventure ? There are some great places to eat and drink and a wonderful 14 Michelin Starred restaurants in Portugal for 2016.

The recently presented Michelin Guide to Spain and Portugal 2016 offers a whopping 174 Michelin starred restaurants in Spain for 2016 but just 14 in Portugal. While there are still NO Michelin Three Star Restaurants in Portugal, there are 3 excellent Michelin Two Star restaurants and 11 Michelin One star restaurants:Yeatman dish

 

Michelin 2 Star Restaurants in Portugal 2016:

  • Albufeira, Faro – Vila Joya
  • Armação de Pêra, Faro – Ocean
  • Lisbon – Belcanto

Michelin 1 Star Restaurants in Portugal 2016:

  • Carvoeiro, Algarve – Bon Bon  NEW
  • Amarante, Porto – Casa da Calçada
  • Lisbon – Eleven
  • Lisbon – Feitoria
  • Cascais, Lisbon  – Fortaleza do Guincho
  • Almancil, Faro – Henrique Leis
  • Funchal, Madeira – Il Gallo d’Oro
  • Porto – Pedro Lemos
  • Almancil, Faro – São Gabriel
  • Vilamoura, Faro – Willie’s
  • Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto – Yeatman

Eleven

 

Experience Portugal’s growing gastronomy and fantastic wine regions on a Gourmand Breaks Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tour.  Portugal is an ever-increasing destination choice with our guests and can easily be combined with Spain  for a two-center vacation.

 

More Michelin Starred Restaurants 2016 reading:

COMPLETE LIST MICHELIN STARRED RESTAURANTS 2016

50 Michelin Starred Restaurants in Catalonia, Spain

20 Michelin Starred Restaurants in The Basque Country, Spain

17 Michelin Starred Restaurants in The Community of Madrid, Spain

13 Michelin Starred Restaurants in Andalucia, Spain

13 Michelin Starred Restaurants in Galicia, Spain

If you’re in search of some great food while you’re in Spain,  the New Michelin Guide Spain and Portugal 2016 was recently presented  and offers over 170 Michelin starred restaurants in all of Spain for 2016!!!

So, basically wherever you are headed in the country from North to South or from East to West you’ll find Michelin dining that can be enjoyed on one of our Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours :-)

We’re going to break the list down over the coming days so you’ve got a handy reference for the area that you are going to !!

In the autonomous community of Catalonia you will find a mighty 50 Michelin Starred Restaurants – 2 of which are Michelin Three Star Restaurants, 6 Michelin Two Star Restaurants and 42 Michelin One Star Restaurants.

Joan Roca

50 MICHELIN STAR RESTAURANTS IN CATALONIA, SPAIN

Girona – El Celler de Can Roca ***

Sant Pol de Mar – Sant Pau ***

Barcelona – ABaC **

Barcelona – Enoteca **

Barcelona – Lasarte **

Barcelona – Moments **

Llançà – Miramar **

Olot – Les Cols **

Arbúcies – Les Magnòlies *

Barcelona – Alkimia *

Barcelona – Angle *

Barcelona – Caelis *

Barcelona – Cinc Sentits *

Barcelona – Disfrutar * NEW

Barcelona – Dos Cielos *

Barcelona – Dos Palillos *

Barcelona – Gaig *

Barcelona – Hisop *

Barcelona – Hofmann *

Barcelona – Hoja Santa * NEW

Barcelona – Koy Shunka *

Barcelona – Nectari *

Barcelona  – Pakta *

Barcelona – Roca Moo *

Barcelona – Saüc *

Barcelona – Tickets *

Barcelona – Via Veneto *

Barcelona / Santa Coloma de Gramenet – Lluerna *

Calldetenes – Can Jubany *

Cambrils – Can Bosch *

Cambrils – Rincón de Diego *

Castelló d’Empuries – Emporium * NEW

Cercs – Estany Clar *

Corçà – Bo.Tic *

Gimenells – Malena *

Girona – Massana *

Gombrèn – La Fonda Xesc *

Llafranc – Casamar *

Llagostera – Els Tinars *

El Masnou – Tresmacarrons * NEW

Olost – Sala *

Roses / Playa de Canyelles Petites – Els Brancs *

Sagàs  – Els Casals *

Sant Fruitós de Bages  – L’Ó *

Sort – Fogony *

Terrassa – Capritx *

Tossa de Mar – La Cuina de Can Simon *

Ulldecona – Les Moles *

La Vall de Bianya – Ca l’Enric *

Xerta – Villa Retiro *

Ferran+Adria+ZkK9NUvWe8Gl

Here’s the Full Michelin List Spain and Portugal for 2016:

COMPLETE LIST MICHELIN STARRED RESTAURANTS 2016

Guia Michelin Spain Portugal 2016The NEW Michelin Guide Spain and Portugal 2016 was presented from Santiago de Compostela on November 25th. There are no new Michelin 3 star restaurants for 2016.

In Spain 2 restaurants were promoted to Michelin 2 Star status and 14 restaurants were awarded with a Michelin 1 star.

In Portugal just 1 restaurant was awarded a Michelin 1 star.

 

 

 

 

Here is the COMPLETE FULL LIST OF MICHELIN STARRED RESTAURANTS SPAIN AND PORTUGAL 2016:

Michelin 3 Star Restaurants in Spain 2016:

  • Akelare (San Sebastián – Guipúzcoa)
  • Arzak (San Sebastián – Guipúzcoa)
  • Azurmendi (Larrabetzu – Vizcaya)
  • DiverXO (Madrid)
  • El Celler de Can Roca (Girona)
  • Martín Berasategui (Lasarte – Oria – Guipúzcoa)
  • Quique Dacosta (Dénia – Alicante)
  • Sant Pau (Sant Pol de Mar – Barcelona)

 

Michelin 2 Star Restaurants in Spain 2016:

  • Àbac  (Barcelona)
  • Aponiente  (El Puerto de Santa María – Cádiz)
  • Atrio  (Cáceres)
  • Casa Marcial  (Arriondas)
  • Coque (Humanes  – Madrid) NEW
  • Dani García (Marbella – Málaga)
  • El Club Allard  (Madrid)
  • El Portal (Ezcaray – La Rioja)
  • Enoteca (Barcelona)
  • La Terraza del Casino  (Madrid)
  • Lasarte  (Barcelona)
  • Les Cols  (Olot – Girona)
  • M.B. de Martín Berasategui (Tenerife / Guía de Isora)
  • Miramar  (Llançà – Girona)
  • Moments (Barcelona)
  • Mugaritz (Errenteria – Guipúzcoa)
  • Ramón Freixa  (Madrid)
  • Santceloni  (Madrid)
  • Sergi Arola  (Madrid) UPDATE: CLOSED in September 2016
  • Zaranda (Es Capdellà – Mallorca) NEW

 

Michelin 1 Star Restaurants in Spain 2016:

Andalucía

  • Abantal (Sevilla)
  • Acanthum (Huelva) NEW
  • Alejandro (Roquetas de Mar)
  • Choco (Córdoba)
  • El Lago (Marbella)
  • José Carlos García (Málaga)
  • Kabuki Raw del Hotel Finca Cortesin (Casares) NEW
  • La Costa (El Ejido)
  • Messina (Marbella) NEW
  • Skina (Marbella)
  • Sollo (Fuengirola) NEW

 

Aragón

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

 

Asturias

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

 

Baleares (Islas)

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

 

Canarias (Islas)

  • El Rincón de Juan Carlos (Los Gigantes / Tenerife) NEW
  • Kabuki (Tenerife / Guía de Isora)
  • Kazan (Tenerife / Santa Cruz de Tenerife)

 

Cantabria

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

 

Castilla-La Mancha

  • El Bohío (Illescas)
  • El Carmen de Montesión (Toledo)
  • Las Rejas (Las Pedroñeras)
  • Maralba (Almansa)
  • Tierra (Torrico / Valdepalacios)

 

Castilla y León

  • Cocinandos (León)
  • El Ermitaño (Benavente, Zamora) NEW
  • La Botica (Matapozuelos)
  • La Lobita (Navaleno)
  • Refectorio (Sardón de Duero)
  • Víctor Gutiérrez (Salamanca)
  • Villena (Segovia) NEW

 

Cataluña

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

 

Galicia

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

 

Madrid (Comunidad)

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

 

Murcia (Región)

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

 

Navarra

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

 

País Vasco

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

 

La Rioja

  • Venta Moncalvillo (Daroca de Rioja)

 

Valencia (Comunidad)

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

 

Spanish restaurants that LOST THEIR MICHELIN ONE STAR STATUS

  • Aizian (Bilbao)
  • Ca L’ Arpa (Banyoles, Girona)
  • Casa Alfonso (Dehesa de Campoamor, Alicante)
  • Comerç 24 (Barcelona) – due to closure
  • La Casa del Carmen (Olías del Rey, Toledo)
  • Manairó (Barcelona)
  • Miramón Arbelaitz (San Sebastián) – due to closure
  • Neichel (Barcelona) – due to closure
  • Vertical (H.C. Aqua 4) (Valencia)

 

Michelin 2 Star Restaurants in Portugal 2016:

  • Belcanto (Lisboa)
  • Ocean (Armação de Pêra)
  • Vila Joya (Albufeira)

 

Michelin 1 Star Restaurants in Portugal 2016:

  • Bon Bon (Carvoeiro – Faro)  NEW
  • Casa da Calçada (Amarante)
  • Eleven (Lisboa)
  • Feitoria (Lisboa)
  • Fortaleza do Guincho (Cascais)
  • Henrique Leis (Almancil)
  • Il Gallo d’Oro (Funchal)
  • Pedro Lemos (Porto)
  • São Gabriel (Almancil)
  • Willie’s (Vilamoura)
  • Yeatman (Vila Nova de Gaia)

 

Portuguese Restaurant that LOST ITS MICHELIN ONE STAR STATUS:

  • L’And Vineyards (Montemor-o-Novo)

 

Resuming:

Spain received NO NEW Michelin 3 Star restaurant for 2016, but did gain TWO NEW Michelin 2 Star restaurants. 14 NEW Michelin 1 Star Restaurants were presented for the 2016 Michelin Guide for Spain and Portugal but 9 Michelin 1 Star restaurants from 2015 LOST their Michelin Star Status.

Portugal still has NO Michelin 3 star Restaurant but does hold on to the THREE Michelin 2 Star Restaurants from last year’s Michelin Spain and Portugal Guide.  In the Michelin 1 star Restaurant category Portugal lost one Restaurant for 2016 but gained one NEW Michelin 1 Star Restaurant.

 

Experience Michelin starred Restaurant dining opportunities! On one of our Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours you can indulge in the Best Michelin Starred Restaurants in Spain and Portugal.  Contact us for your personalized quote.

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

Summer may be over but ice-cream never goes out of season!! If you are heading to Girona, Spain, then a must stop is Rocambolesc, the Willy-Wonka-esque ice cream shop of the Michelin 3 star Roca Brothers, in particular Jordi Roca. The sweet brother in charge of desserts at El Celler de Can Roca, current World’s Number 1 restaurant, invites you to experience the sweet sensations of El Celler de Can Roca at Rocambalesc – a world much more than just ice-cream!

Rocambolesc Girona

Just a small shop, on Carrer de Santa Clara in Girona, Rocambolesc radiates a vintage feel and as soon as you step inside you will instantly return to your childhood with “oooos” and “wows” as the colors, smells and sights hit, invade and delight your senses.

Rocambolesc ice-cream

Rocambolesc – Enjoy El Celler de Can Roca delicacies at a fraction of the cost  –  just 3.90€ for a large tub (as per the photo) with 3 toppings!

There are six different flavors of ice-cream to choose from, in cones or tubs, including the classics of vanilla or chocolate and the more adventurous green sorbet or baked apple. Your server will recommend the 3 toppings ideal for your ice-cream flavor choice although you can choose your own 3 from over 30 options such as parma violet marshmallow, strawberries, caramelized apple, nut sprinkles, flaked sugar, crunchy caramel, honey rocks, coconut……

Jordi Roca and Rocambolesc

The youngest of the three Roca Brothers, Jordi Roca was proclaimed “The World’s Best Pastry Chef “in 2014 (the current holder of this title for 2015 is Albert Adrià). At El Celler de Can Roca Joan Roca heads the sublime kitchen; Josep Roca is the expert sommelier and Jordi Roca creates the imaginative desserts.

 

Where to find Rocambolesc:

Rocambolesc in Girona:
Carrer de Santa Clara 50, 17001 Girona
Open: Sun -Thurs 12:00 – 21:00, Fri and Sat 12:00 to 23:00

Rocambolesc in Platja d’Aro (Girona):
Avinguda de S’Agaró 59, 17249 Platja d’Aro
Closed in winter

Rocambolesc in Madrid:
Calle Serrano 52, El Corte Inglés- 7th Floor, 28001 Madrid
Open: Sun-Thurs 12:30 – 00:00, Fri and Sat 12:30 to 00:30

 

Experience the ice-cream joys of Rocambolesc on your Gourmand Breaks Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tour.  We can customise any of our Our Sample Spain Portugal Private Tour Itineraries to include a stay in Girona county and among other fascinating visits a private guided visit of the city of Girona.

Cheers to Missouri Wines for this great explanation for Understanding and Identifying Wine Aromas:

Put your new found wine knowledge to the test on one of our Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours in Spain and/or Portugal. Visit top class wineries in great Spanish and Portuguese Wine Regions such as La Rioja, Priorat, Penedes or Emporda in Spain and Douro Valley or Alentejo in Portugal.

It’s Michelin season once again and the Michelin Guide to Spain and Portugal 2016 is fast approaching !! We’ll keep you updated with the results of the NEW Michelin Starred Restaurants in Spain and Portugal Guide when announced on November 25th!

In the meantime, over the next few weeks we’ll be showcasing some of the Best Michelin starred Chefs in Spain and Portugal  with our own Pre-Michelin Guide Spain and Portugal 2016 SuperChef Series by Gourmand Breaks – An insight into the world of some of the current Michelin star chefs in Spain and Portugal!

This year we’re starting in Portugal where surprisingly there are no Michelin 3 star restaurants (yet!). First off, and in no particular order, a Portuguese chef who last year obtained his Second Michelin Star and is shooting for that 3rd Michelin star in 2016:

Belcanto - Lisboa

José Avillez –  is the first Portuguese chef to obtain the Michelin 2 Star Restaurant honor in Portugal. He currently has 5 restaurants in Lisbon – Belcanto, Cantinho do Avillez, Mini Bar, Café Lisboa and Pizzaria Lisboa,  1 restaurant in Oporto – Cantinho do Avillez, a take-away service called JA at Home and a wine range called JA Wines bearing his signature: JA Red, JA White and JA Rosé.

Belcanto, Lisbon  –  acclaimed the best restaurant in Portugal, is the flagship restaurant by the young talented chef José Avillez. It opened in 2011 in the Chiado district of Lisbon, Portugal. Within a year Belcanto was awarded its first Michelin star and in 2014 received its second for the 2015 Michelin Guide for Spain and Portugal. Belcanto is the first restaurant in Lisbon to obtain this Michelin 2 Star restaurant distinction. Original modern Portuguese cuisine, inspired by El Bulli, great service in an elegant setting with beautifully presented food and a fantastic selection of Portuguese wines – this is Belcanto.  To be enjoyed on one of our Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tours :)

Belcanto has also been elected one of the best 100 restaurants in the world by the prestigious Restaurant Magazine and currently stands at 91st place on  “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants List”.

A dish by José Avillez at Belcanto © Vasco Célio

A dish by José Avillez at Belcanto © Vasco Célio

Experience Portugal’s growing gastronomy and fantastic wine regions on a Gourmand Breaks Private Food, Wine and Cultural Tour to include Portugal.  An ever-increasing destination choice with our guests Portugal can easily be combined with Spain  for a two-center vacation giving you the chance to indulge in the Best Michelin Starred Restaurants in Spain and Portugal.

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.