Tag Archives: michelin

the boyz are back in town

24 Thursday Nov 2022

Posted by in food & drink, friends, restaurants, sevilla

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Richie, Michael, Juanlu, Frank & Pankaj

Can’t actually remember the first time(s) I met Michael and Frank, the dynamic duo behind Renoir Guides. Quite a few years ago now. And as Michael lives in London and Frank on the Costa del Sol we end up meeting up separately more often than together, either here or there. But this week is different! All the boyz are here, including Pankaj (who I’ve met before) and Richie (first time). And what a kick off we had. Sherry and aperitifs at Manolo Cateca and then lunch at Cañabota. And omg what a lunch it was. The last time I was at Cañabota was for my birthday in 2019 and since then Juanlu and team have garnered their first Michelin star (2021).

Funniest thing was walking into Manolo Cateca to meet the boyz and there was Sam! (of Charlie & Sam). I mean, what were the odds? Not only was he just passing through town but the last time I saw him and Charlie was on my birthday in 2019, just after my last meal at Cañabota when they met me for some celebratory cava. Mind blown.

It was an amazing afternoon, fun catching up and the food was spectacular, every bite was perfection and the wines were gorgeous. Many many thanks to the boyz for taking me out for this unforgettable experience.

Highlights from the superb Cañabota tasting menu below. Tomorrow I’m taking the guys on a Tasting Triana Tour. God help me…

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michelin star birthday lunch

09 Monday Jan 2017

Posted by in birthdays, restaurants, sevilla

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abantalAfter years of “meaning to go” to Abantal, Sevilla’s only Michelin star restaurant, I decided that my 60th birthday was a good excuse for a decadent splash out meal. I’ve known chef Julio for many years, and even worked with him on the Turismo Sevilla tapas app, so I was looking forward to finally trying out his place.

We did the tasting menu  – descriptions are below, and you can click on the photo above to enlarge the image…

  • razor clam with cauliflower cream on fried wonton
  • garlic soup with egg yolk and seta foam
  • quisquilla (prawn) carpaccio with seaweed and artichoke pilpil
  • red tuna galette, orange escabeche, cucumber granita and mint foam
  • seasonal mushrooms, sopa morisca purée, truffled egg yolk, onion bizcocho
  • confit cod with spinach and garbanzo purées
  • presa Ibérica with truffled pumpkin cream, grapefruit, lime
  • passionfruit creme with mint granita and chocolate
  • orange wine zabayon, torta de aceite, mandarin, cinnamon

This was my second Michelin experience. The first was pretty much a disaster at the JC García Restaurant in Málaga, also a 1-star like Abantal. This time the experience was actually quite pleasant, with excellent service. But the food was somehow lacking. Nothing was terrible (as at JCG) but nothing was exceptional either. Still, it was a lovely afternoon and a very nice birthday present – thank you Peter!