ARROZ? LOOK NO FURTHER ...

When in Spain do what the Spaniards do .. Arroz! All this time I was trying to differentiate between what they do in Valencia, in Madrid and of course in our favorite city Barcelona but let me put it this way .. it does not matter. Why? It is because each style tastes slightly different and the chef's interpretation is what makes the dish unique. 

I strongly believe I have the perfect answer in Pez Vella at the beach front W Hotel complex in Barcelona. Chef Rosanna Pando is a no-nonsense professional, you only need to peer at her super efficient open kitchen if you want proof. Our party of 10 ordered 4 of their top selling Arroz recipes, at lunch, plus simple but the freshest appetizers from the sea. They all came out with flying colors, figuratively and literally. Pez Vela defined "value-for-money" as the kind of eatery that diners would keep going back. I certainly would if I were a local, and how I wish. Skip breakfast, make yourself hungry, plan to skip dinner as well and then order a variety of their starters, salads and of course the piece de resistance .. Arroz! You will not regret it.

PEZ VELA CHIRINGUITO
www.grupo.traguluz.com/restaurante/pez-vela
Paseo del Mare Nostrum
19/21 W Hotel
08039 Barcelona 
(34) 932 21 6317

3-STAR LASARTE @ BARCELONA

Via the introduction of my Mentor-Chef Jaume Brich in Barcelona we were extremely fortunate to dine at Lasarte back in November, on the eve of our boarding a Seabourn cruise. Our group also witnessed "history being made" as we were the last party to occupy their private room, as a 2-Michelin Star restaurant. We left around midnight and she was awarded the triumphant 3rd M-star the very next day. It was a very well deserved recognition.

I am center left when it comes to M-stars as every now and then one wonders how and why they are awarded. Not here, not at Lasarte where they were scores went through the roof at almost every aspect of our experience. Creativity and tastes of the food aside other scores were all at the top such as; avant-garde serving wares, exquisite all-you-want-to drink matching wines, extravagant and seamless service of no less than 7 waiting staff on our table of 14, and do not forget the friendliest and super efficient receptionist when I called from Hong Kong to book the table. We needed no convincing, we actually wondered aloud at dinner why it was not a 3-star already. This super dining extravaganza (it is belittling to call it dinner) was E270 per head, not inexpensive, but worth every Euro, in particular the fond memory which is priceless. We were delighted to meet the talented young chef who not only "wowed" us with his tasting menu, but later told us he was the brain behind Vasco in Hong Kong. What a coincidence. Trust me, Lasarte is a definite "must" on your culinary wish list. It really does not get any better than this.

EXCELENTE!

LASARTE
www.restaurantlasarte.com
C/Mallorca 259
08008 Barcelona
(34) 934 45 32 42

BACK ON SEABOURN ODYSSEY

The last time we were on the Odyssey she was a brand new beauty and that was only 9 years ago, before my retirement, Seabourn is still our favorite, tracking back to our first cruise on the Pride with only 245 on board. 650 on the Odyssey is unimaginable, let alone those monstrosities that carry thousands, where one is asked to pick "either the 1st or 2nd dinner seating". Now how much more vulgar can it get?

"Moroccan Gems & Canary Islands" is the name of the cruise we took last Noverber, a 14-day voyage from Barcelona to Lisbon, with stops in Malaga, Tangier, Casablanca, Arrecife, San Sebastian de la Gomera, Santa Cruz de la Parma, Tenerife, Funchal in Madeira and Portimao .. what a mouthful. To make the airfare worthwhile, we spent an extra 5-days each in Barcelona and Lisbon which, in hindsight, was probably too ambitious at our not so tender age.      

The picture on the right, taken before sunset from the pier in Casablanca is, without any doubt the best salon shot in my album of thousands. Breathtaking is an understatement!