Catalan restaurants maintain high ranking in the Michelin guide

Barcelona (ACN).- Catalonia continues to have a large presence in the prestigious Michelin guide, with a total of 57 stars between 46 restaurants. The most famous restaurants include the three-stared El Bulli of Roses, led by Ferran Adrià, El Celler de Can Roca of Girona, manage by the Roca brothers, El Sant Pau of Sant Pol de Mar of Carme Ruscalleda and the Can Fabes of Sant Celoni, with Santi Santamaria.

The 2011 edition was presented yesterday in San Sebastian. The guide will include three new Barcelona hotel restaurants: the Moments restaurant of the Hotel Mandarín, headed by Carme Ruscalleda’s son Raül Balam; Restaurant Dos Cielos of Hotel Me, with brothers Javier and Sergio Torres and Restaurant Caelis of Hotel Palace, with chef Roman Fornell. Barcelona’s Hisop restaurant and Terrassa’s Capritx restaurant were also recognised. Paco Pérez’s Miramar Restaurant was awarded its 2nd Michelin star, entering into the privileged group that also includes the Les Cols restaurant of Olot and the Lasarte restaurant of Ciutat Comtal.

CNA spoke with Pérez about his achievement. He stated, “for a family business that started in 1939 as a beach stand, it is not so bad”. Pérez explained that Catalan cuisine is highlighted by the fact that “we get up very early and we go to sleep very late”. The chef added that “everyone wants to make good things” in this “very competitive world”. Pérez mentioned that it is even more complicated in a place “so remote” as Llançà. He hopes that receiving a 2nd Michelin star will bring the restaurant “more movement”.

Some restaurants were removed from the 2011 edition of the Michelin Guide. Barcelona’s Freixa Tradició, Vacarisses’ El Cingle, Arenys de Mar’s l'Hispània, and La Seu d'Urgell’s Tàpies all lost their prestigious Michelin stars. The Àbac Restaurant lost a star after chef Xavier Pellicer left the restaurant to head the famous Can Fabes Restaurant with Santi Santamaria.