Which pleasure in life gets you higher on endorphins? Sex, Food, Exercise.....?If your answer is sex or exercise then you should try Carme Ruscalleda's cuisine, it's a Blast!!!
My husband and I enjoy good food (would you have ever guessed that? ;D) and this was our third time in Restaurant Sant Pau. Each time has been an earthquake for our senses, each time Carme has improved her cuisine and fulfilled our expectations... She is absolutely the BEST!
She is the first and only woman in the world that has 5 Michelin Stars: 3 from her Catalan restaurant and 2 from her Japanese restaurant.
Her dishes magically bring the finniest essence of the products to your palate, no matter what you ask for, all choices will take you to heaven!!!
Restaurant Sant Pau is set in an old grand villa, originally built in 1881. It's located in Sant Pol de Mar just in front of the sea. The environment couldn't be more inspiring. For more information and pictures please follow the link of the Restaurant.
This post will contain no pictures of the food... I didn't have enough light and they didn't come out as good as I wished, plus all my senses were focused in the food... you'll have to use your imagination. But, I will try to translate the Winter degustation menu we had. The post also contains a 10 questions interview I managed to ask Carme and she was kind enough to answer :D 
Winter Degustation Menu
Welcome Broth
Four January Micro-menu Appetizers (inspired in Japanese cuisine)
Foie Gras with pineapple chutney and vegetables sprouts
Nephrops and monk fish meatball
Cod fish tripe in truffle
Shrimp with artichokes variations
Green peas with Spider fish and Butifarra negra
Roe with red peppered fruits
or
Cannelloni inside out
January Cheeses
Transparent cube with red fruits, coconut and shiso
Cold and warm: white and black chocolate, truffle, rum and gold
The Ten Divertimento pastry
See how every cheese had a counterpoint small taste of fruits or veggies or gelatin... (the only food picture I dare to upload)
This menu is not full detailed and might have some mistakes when translating. For a full and truthful menu you'll have to visit Carme's Restaurant ;D. I encourage all Japanese readers to go and visit the Sant Pau rest. in Tokyo... you will love it!!!!SPANISH RECIPES 10 QUESTIONNAIRE TO CARME RUSCALLEDA
1 .- How do you define your Cuisine?
My Cuisine is executed with freedom and respect, it's Catalan and modern.
2 .- Which part of a dish process do you enjoy the most? When it's still an idea? When you are executing it? Or when clients tell you how brilliant it was!
I love it from the start, from the first idea, the research process, the execution of the dish in the kitchen and seeing that customers live a special moment and a gastronomic pleasure.
3 .- The day you have guests at home, what are the dishes that come first to your mind?
Some appetizers, some salads, and for a second I would choose a rice, a roast or baked fish.
4 .- Can you tell me 5 products that you always keep in your pantry/fridge?
Olive oil, vegetables, fruits, biscuits/crackers, tea and chocolate.
5 .- What do you ask for to professionals who want to work with you at the restaurant?
Mainly, I ask them to love the profession, they should have some technical training and be motivated and thrilled to work with us.
6 .- Could you finish this sentence: traditional Catalan cuisine is... a cultural expression of the country, interesting and healthy, don't miss it!
7 .- Could you finish this sentence: traditional Japanese cuisine is... also a cultural expression of the country, interesting and healthy, don't miss it!
8 .- What is more complicated, the organization of the Restaurant or the execution and elaboration of the dishes?
Is more complicated than complex; the restaurant organization needs: order, organization, imagination, respect, ideas, kindness, and many hours of work. And the elaboration of the dishes: THE SAME!
9 .- Would you like to open another restaurant in New York for example?
I don't know, I have got some proposals but none has seduced me as the Japanese one did.
10 .- Sweet or savory?
Depends on the moment! When starting a meal: savory, when finishing it, sweet.
So, dear readers, if you ever have the chance, go and enjoy a meal at Restaurant Sant Pau. You will treasure the experience all your life :DGràcies Carme!
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