Chef Joan Roca

Joan Roca belongs to that generation of entrepreneurial and visionary high-end chefs that have gradually been turning Girona into a global Epicurean shrine. Roca is the executive chef at El Celler de Can Roca, which he runs with his two younger brothers, Josep and Jordí. Roca has long sought out extraordinary cooking techniques and a particular passion of his has been to explore the links between aromas, flavours and perfume, almost as if he was a sorcerer brewing ingredients for a spell. His relentless work with solidified perfumed smoke typifies this passion well, as does his use of revitalising ancient ingredients that other chefs know little about, for e.g. the common exotic 6th century Persian Empire's practice of the utilising metallic leafed edible cholesterol lowering foil papers of gold, silver and copper which fill and decorate some of his specialties. Along with the wine chosen by sommelier Josep and the creations of pastry and dessert guru Jordí, Roca’s dishes enable diners to appreciate the sensory quality of food.

Fiture 2008

The dynamism of the tourist industry, both for professionals and vacationing travellers showed off the world´s wonderful destinations in two new vanguard IFEMA pavilions with an additional 50,000 square metres of exhibition space. Some of the most interesting included: Spain´s Los Paradores, Galicia, La Rioja, The Mediterranean Coast from Costa Brava to Almería, our neighbour & the splendour of Regional Greece, Japan the gastronomic jewel, Hong Kong, The Caribbean Islands, ancient Incan Peru to vanguard Peru, amorous Argentina, The Pousadas Of Portugal, Tahiti, Polynesia, Sardinia, Sicilia & Barí, Apulia and the new, New York City.  

Madrid's 5th Wagaboo

Wagaboo´s entrepreneurs have once again opened another successful  noodle house eatery, located in a 500 m2 designer architect Ignacio García de Vinuesa duplex venue. Baylee Simón, Chef Kiko of Resturante Astrid & Gastón and me enjoyed the fashion noshes which included: New York City thin crisp pizzas, Asian noodle varieties and Italian pastas. Upstairs is a dynamic cocktail bar and lounge. Prices are reasonable and the ambiance is Feng Shui Tribeca Manhattan.    

Contact & Location 

MADRID´s  5th WAGABOO - Restaurante Wagaboo 

Calle General Martínez Campos 26

Metro Lines 6, 8 & 10: Nuevos Ministerios

Love At First Bite

Restaurant Milos is one of Madrid´s elixirs that make all of life´s caprices a bit more pleasant to deal with. The Greek´s relief button is a phrase they often use to confront challenges, PAME GIA OUZAKI, which translates to, " Let´s go for a little Ouzo " and that´s exactly what Baylee Simón and I have done. Once again, Restaurant Milos reminded me of the quintessential port of call, Nafplion´s cozy Restaurant Old Mansion tucked away on a tiny side street. Greece is extremely rich in food lore, recipes and fresh raw materials.

Restaurateur and owner Panagiotis Charalambidis also owns the nine year old Restaurant Mythos and opened Milos in 2002. He was born in Katerini, under the sun sign of perfection and details on September 12th. He came to Spain to study physical education, economics and psychology. Panagiotis was raised in Stuttgart and later spent several years in West Berlin before moving to Madrid. His culinary philosophy is regional Greek and " Whatever you do with great care always has to be divine". He continued saying, " I enjoy feeding Real Madrid Footballers and Getafe too".

Urban Chalet Spa

For the perfect reflexological pedicure, marvelous massages a-z and weight control programmes, this small residential chalet spa has an exemplary well trained staff. Many thanks to Ana.

Nieves Fernández NF Spa

Calle San Narciso 36
Metro Line 5: Canillejas 
Reserve Appointments: 91. 741. 1308

Chef Kiko Carlos Francisco Zeballos

The Incas, the Spanish conquistadors, the indigenous tribes, the South and North Americans, Asian immigrants, Europeans and the African slaves have all had a turn in merging the phenomenal rich gastronomy that is now Peruvian alta cocina "nuovo andino".  Having explored the elongated Andean coastline, the highlands of Cuzco and the Inca ruins of Machu Pichu back in the 1970´s, I have always fancied the highly flavourful seafood varieties and slightly piquant Peruvian cuisine.

Chef Pedro Larumbe

The renowned veteran chef proprietor Pedro Larumbe, originator of extraordinare dishes and flavors, is the creative artist at his Barrio Salamanca restaurant. He defines his work as evolutionary market traditional cuisine. He outsources the best products, using the state of the art culinary tools and techniques, however, without forgetting the inheritance of regional Spanish cuisine, its roots. Born under the astrological sign of the kitchen on July 10^th, in Lerín, Navarra, where he also owns a Restaurant called Larumbe in Pamplona and two other venues here in Madrid. Visitors and residents can hardly miss the magnificent, circa 1899, palatial, ABC Commercial Centre property which is richly embellished with stunning views, roof top terrace, architectural adornments and exquisite interiors.

Chef Iván Sáez

How about this 12 table, intimate duplex spot where the food is always amazingly memorable? This is a cosy standout venue where the chef is in the kitchen preparing  Madrileña City Cuisine which is based on traditional ingredients, however with a modern extraordinaire touch, healthy and low fat. The elite, knowledgeable maître Sergio Mayor and waiter Pedro provide the service. This downtown neighbourhood gourmet oasis is welcoming, warmly illuminated and seamless in a merger of intimate yet vanguard in decor. The venue housed the former one Michelin star restaurant Zaranda, which is now located at: Paseo de Eduardo Dato 5 in Ruben Darío. Chef Iván has a limited carte that allows him and his small staff to make sure every dish is at its memorable best. The unforgettable natural full flavoured dishes here, hit the mark. Jean Allen and I have taken a tantalising tour of culinary artist Chef Iván Sáez´s bill of fare and shared, as Jean repeatedly said, "He is an artist" ... 

Dining Dëco Style with Joaquin Felipe Peira

Located in the luxurious five star, award winning Derby Hotel Urban, Dëco is overseen by one of the country´s most exceptional Chefs, downtown Madrid native Joaquin Felipe Peira. Pulsing with all the excitement of a modern-day cosmopolitan Madrid, Restaurante Europa Dëco is one of the most talked about centre city restaurant venues. Joaquin Felipe Peira´s penchant and enormous talent for multicultural, 21st century, urban-global-twist cuisine are obvious in his unforgettable inventions and presentations. And... the culinary stars of his fashion plates are the phenomenal raw market materials he has personally selected.is one of the most talked about centre city restaurant venues. Joaquin Felipe Peira´s penchant and enormous talent for multicultural, 21st century, urban-global-twist cuisine are obvious in his unforgettable inventions and presentations. And... the culinary stars of his fashion plates are the phenomenal raw market materials he has personally selected.

Experience The Exceptional

In this millennium of constant overdrive, there is a lot to be said for the heavenly and hedonistic pleasures of  Spa pampering and healing therapies.  Juggling our personal and professional responsibilities, coupled with the balancing act of both relationships & professional commitments has many people feeling less than attractive, sporting calluses and dark under eye circles with little time to remedy.  Taking a moment to experience an aromatherapy massage could benefit many a new age woman or man.  In our current accelerated computer and caffeine addicted society even weekends are crammed.  All these 21st century plagues leave little room for harried bodies and stressed souls.  

Five star Hotel Can Bonastre Wine Resort & Spa has the answers to all your discomforts including a detailed Pillow Carte offering its´ guests a wonderful array of 6 assorted pillow shapes and sizes from which to choose.  Hotel Spa Can Bonastre, a boutique, elite, 12 room, luxurious wine resort where you can wish upon a star and / or be a star is located 25 km from the foothills of the enchanting Sierra de Montserrat National Park and 5 km from San Sadourni in the heart of Catalan Cava country.

The exceptional Spa El Achua offers a perfect spa smorgasbord of year round delights including chocolate wraps, podal treatments for tired feet, an indoor pool, sauna, heaven scent aromatherapy massages, the perfect gift or indulgence and very exclusive wine thérapies. Chef Carlos Milán, disciple of three Michelin star Chef Carme Ruscadella, is the head Chef of Restaurante Tribia and furthermore, Hotel Can Bonastre´s surrounding idyllic Alt Penedès districts are steeped in their very own wineyards, certainly a superb location. Handed down generation by generation, this hotel is situated in a restored medieval Mediterranean farmhouse ( másia ) on land dating back to 1548 and is still in the hands of the Vallès Family. This is one of the most magical marvels in the district of Masquefa. The attention to detail is immediately evident upon arrival.   

21st Century Epicurean Escapes

Spain´s burgeoning reputation for exemplary epicurism has been attracting not only aspiring chefs from every province for ages, but recently foreign chefs who are taking up residency in Spain, collaborating and opening dynamic venues throughout the country. Furthermore, there is an infinite smorgasbord of luxurious wellness spas in naturally beautiful, discreet scenic locations with personal pampering ambiances that redefine all you have ever known and their guests are rediscovering their passions that they have lost in their daily stressful routines. My most recent trip has taken me through Cava, the wine and olive oil producing  province of  Masquefa, Alt Penedès 30km from Barcelona, and it boasts a wealth of epicurean escapadas.