Over 60 years on this earth and yet to eat at a Michelin starred restaurant. Now I've eaten at a few mentioned in the Michelin Guide, but none with a star. The majority are expensive, so out of my budget. Travel or fine dining? The travel always wins, it's an easy decision.
But on my recent visit to Valladolid, I discovered there was a Michelin star restaurant with a very reasonable priced menu. And so a booking was made and I eagerly rocked up to Alquimia. The place is lovely. They have a casual bar/food area at the front and at the back is the Laboratory - where all the magic happens. Well the magic actually happens in the kitchen, which is visible, but it's where we get to experience the magic. It’s called Alquimia because “Kitchen That Performs Sorcery” was apparently already taken.
I went for the Menu Noradrenaline - Adarsa and at only €50, an absolute bargain in my opinion. The theme is obviously "laboratory and chemistry" and the menu changes depending on the chef and the season.
Out first came 4 little snacks - beautifully presented and although the waiter did explain what they were, I didn't write it down, but the little green thing that looked like an olive - I could eat an entire plate of those! Next, 2 entrees, the 1st an eggplant dish and 2nd a rice dish with thinly sliced lamb. Up next, the 2 main courses. Firstly a fish dish and secondly a wagyu meatball dish. Fish, not a favourite of mine, but it was beautifully cooked and the meatballs were delicious. Again, the presentation and explanation of each dish was fab, I just wished I'd written it down! Finally, or so I thought, came the dessert which was called "pink panther." It reminded me a bit of a deconstructed pavlova with a fairy floss cloud. And as a bonus extra, out came 4 little bites (1 of which I ate before taking photo. As for the wine, at €4.50 a glass, very reasonable.
Overall, I loved it. Considered going back the next day. Every dish looks like it was prepared by a wizard who got bored halfway through inventing immortality and thought, “Eh, let’s make tapas instead.” The waiter was awesome. He didn't just serve the food, he revealed it, lifting the cloche with the same energy as a magician unveiling a rabbit, except instead of a rabbit it’s a perfectly plated dish of food
. I should have paid more attention in both chemistry and home economics. 10/10 would recommend for the food, the experience and in my opinion, the very reasonably priced menu. Problem is, I now want to try more places. Back to the pub Jules, back to the pub.
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