Nerua – lunch with the Basquiat sisters

Posted on July 25, 2015 by sybillesbeenthere

Bilbao – When we visited the Basque country end of June we knew we will go to the Guggenheim museum and maybe also eat in the restaurant there. In the end we went to Guggenheim twice and had a 3 hours lunch in the Nerua. The whole building complex is just overwhelming!

We went once to see Jeff Koons and the other day we went to see Jean Michel Basquiat (exhibition just started the week we were there). Both exhibitions were just great and touching.

But now more about the Nerua.
We were welcomed by the staff very friendly and led directly to the open the kitchen to greet the chef Josean Alija (1 Michelin star and several awards, in 2015, Nerua has been included for the first time in the World’s 100 Best Restaurants list by the prestigious magazine Restaurant).
He explained his concept and his passion about the products (most local and seasonal).

We had the 9 courses lunch menu and were amazed by the quality of the food. The wine pairing was great (and also the story the sommelier had to tell us about all the wines….) although one of the white wines was a bit peculiar for our taste.

The atmosphere is white, clean, chic and reduced to the max, to put the spotlight on the food. Two tables next to us sat a group of people that seemed to be related to Basquiat. As we knew from the exhibition that he had two sisters, we soon found out that it had to be them. Later other customers of the restaurant approached them to express their dedication to Jean Michel Basquiats art work.

It is definitively worth going – although it strains your wallet quite a bit….

www.neruaguggenheimbilbao.com

Nopi Downstairs – Otto Lenghi

Posted on June 14, 2015 by sybillesbeenthere

London – Otto Lengi has various restaurants in London but they are definitively not a chain!

Nopi – the Soho-based restaurant has two different areas. The more formal one is on the ground floor and the other informal dining area downstairs. We chose the informal version, seated at two long marble tables where you can overlook the happening in the kitchen. Luckily, we had the two seats the closest you can get to the stoves!

The food concept is small portions to share what I always appreciate as I can taste more. But please do not forget to order one of the cocktails first…I had champagne mixed elderly flower syrup and Saffron…very yummy! The food was great and I would go again next week if I lived in London.

www.ottolenghi.co.uk

Antigua Casa de Guardia – Like Sherry?

Posted on April 26, 2015 by sybillesbeenthere

Malaga – I remember this rather small, dark and authentic sherry (Jerez) bar from my language school stay….some 15 years ago. I recommend to go there before dinner and have some tapas as well.
I was astonished as the place has not changed at all….only the prices are now in Euros instead of Spanish Pesetas.

My favourite sherry was the Pajarete. You can just ask the waiter and he will explain…but it is helpful if you speak some Spanish.

I like the way how the present your bill – written with chalk on the bar….and maybe this sounds gross, but the bar counter is soaked with sherry and makes it a bit sticky….I found it charming if that makes any sense to you?

On one of the pics you may discover a very famous artist….

www.antiguacasadeguardia.net

Price written in chalk on the bar

Pajarete Jerez

You know this famous visitor?

Tapas menu

Big Jerez barrels

Pearl Dive – Oyster Palace

Posted on April 13, 2015 by sybillesbeenthere

Washington D.C. – Previously we booked a table at Le Diplomate where we have been already one year ago. Unfortunately Open Table mixed up something with the dates and it was closed. So we just crossed the street and found this wonderful place. The decor is all about seaside living and has a touch of shabby chic. The restaurant belongs to the www.blackrestaurantgroup.com. We have been to “Black Salt” from the same group last year, which was also very good.

I never had such a fresh and fluffy doughnut topped with a glazing that was melting on our tongue within seconds.

I had poached eggs with salmon on muffin bread, topped with a gorgeous looking and spicy tasting sauce. I long to go again just know that I`m writing about it.

Pearl Dive

www.pearldivedc.com

The Inn at Little Washington – A must while near D.C.

Posted on April 12, 2015 by sybillesbeenthere

Little Washington VA (1 hour from D.C.) – What an experience!

This place is magnificant. A very special atmosphere on the countryside of Viginia. It is near the Shenandoah national park. You should do a hike and explore a little on the various paths, before enjoying the afternoon tea and dinner at the Inn.

We did not know anything about the place or the chef Patrick O`Connel before. Friends of us recommended it. We soon learnt that this place is special and Patrick plays the main role. Besides all the nice staff that can actually read your thoughts and make every wish come true, the house is stunning. Every little detail is placed for a reason and matches perfectly.

Behind the house and the shop you can go on a short walk and see the sheep, honeybees, chicken, llamas (Francesca and Jonah) and the vegetable garden where they grow a lot of the ingredients for the cooking creations.

We chose the dinner with wine pairing and it was absolutely delicious. Every course an indulgence for the taste buds…..

Don`t be late for breakfast, you will not regret it!

www.theinnatlittlewashington.com

Eslava – Probably the best Tapas restaurant in Spain

Posted on March 22, 2015 by sybillesbeenthere

Sevilla – This small place is really a wonderful place for every food lover. But you need patience and time.

You cannot make a reservation and therefore either wait at the bar or just eat your tapas there. We had time and patience. After some 60 minutes and two cavas and two beers we were led to the table. During the wait we had time to study the menu on the blackboard. This tapas bar is probably the best I’ve ever been. The prices are reasonable.

We almost tried everything on the menu but our favourits were:
– The “cigar”; octopus in its ink rolled in a filo dough so it looked like a Cuban cigar
-Sangre, a kind of blood pudding, cut in litle cubes with caramelized onions
-the egg on Boletus tower
-Roasted pork ribs in honey sauce….and also the most tender pork cheeks
…actually everything on the menu

This tapas bar has the traditional Spanish food but interpreted in a modern way – GREAT!

After our visit we found out that there are also a restaurant and some “rooms for tourists”….so I will keep that in mind for our next trip.

www.espacioeslava.com

Casa la Siesta – Pure relaxation

Posted on March 22, 2015 by sybillesbeenthere

Andalucia – Close to Vejer de la Frontera (between Malaga and Cadiz) lays this formerly farmhouse – now transformed into a small luxury retreat.

The house has only 8 suites and all are individually decorated. We had a wonderful fire place and an old-fashioned bathtub in our room.

The people from the Casa la Siesta are really nice and helpful. We enjoyed a delicious breakfast every morning at the big wooden table and explored the area during the day or relaxed on the sunny terrace. One evening we also had dinner there and it was fantastic. But beware of “Sombra”, the black queen of the house on four paws…she can be moody 😉

In summer they also do Paellas and BBQ on the terrace or pool area and the house is ideal for weddings.

casalasiesta.com

Dani Garcia – stars in our eyes

Posted on March 22, 2015 by sybillesbeenthere

Marbella – This year we had to cancel our ski vacation – gourmet trip to Zermatt due to a bad knee… Instead we headed some hundred kilometers south to Andalusia. I spent a summer in Malaga to learn Spanish more than 17 years ago. The area is beautiful and it changed a lot, most to the better.

Just after the landing we picked up our rental car and drove along the beautiful coast in lovely sunshine at 20 degrees (in March)!

We booked at Dani Garcia for lunch. It was a fantastic culinary start of our vacation.

We entered the restaurant through a big massive wooden door and found ourselves in the world of Alice in Wonderland. The decoration is really special and you get treated really well.