Seduction Meals - The Culinary Seduction of Cinc Sentits

Sunday June 05, 2011

The Culinary Seduction of Cinc Sentits

While on a culinary journey in Barcelona how could Seduction Meals not select to dine at a restaurant that boasts rave reviews, has been awarded 1 Michelin star, and hints at pure indulgence and temptation with the name Cinc Sentits (Five Senses).

Cinc Sentits truly lives up to its name, seducing all senses with deliciously prepared foods, creative visual presentations, aromas that taunt and entice, and an ambiance made for romance.

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The restaurant offers a tasting menu of contemporary Catalan cuisine with matched wine pairings. The web site features the two different tasting menu's that change with the seasons and reflect what's currently freshest in the market:

sensacions
The best, most creative dishes from this season as well as several of our signature courses.

essència
A simpler, less creative option.

While both menus contain the same amount of food, I found it odd that they would describe the second one as being "less creative" than the first. We decided to splurge and opted for "Sensacions" but honestly, I cannot imagine "Essencia" being anything less than amazing as well. They really should redefine that offer to keep it as enticing as it truly is.

Sensacions Amuse Bouche

At Cinc Sentits you are served amuse bouche style little bites selected by the Chef to tantalize your taste buds before your meal is served. We were presented with:

Spiced Marcona Almonds
Soprasada & Artisinal Honey Sticks
House-Marinated "Gorbal" Olives
Maple Syrup chilled Cream Cava Sayayon with Rock Salt (see below. Drink the entire shot and keep in your mouth experiencing all flavors before swallowing. Unbelievably delicious!)

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Tasting Menu Items:

CS Version of "Pa Amb Tomaquet"
Fresh Tomato Sorbet l Garlic Bubbles l Toasted Peasant Bread

Photo: Terry Dagrosa / Seduction Meals

Choice of One of the Two Items Below:

1. Catalan Caviar from "La Vall D'Aran"
Smoked Sturgeon Mousse l Potato Crisp l Quail Egg

Photo: Terry Dagrosa / Seduction Meals

2. Caramelized Foie Gras "Coca"
Thin Pastry Crust l Glazed Leeks / Chive "arrope"

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Spring Peas from Llavaneres
Five Herb Ice-Cream l Fresh Pea Broth

Photo: Terry Dagrosa / Seduction Meals

Wild Mediterranean Red Mullet with Fresh
Vegetable "Samfaina" and Lemon Thyme

Photo: Terry Dagrosa / Seduction Meals

Photo: Terry Dagrosa / Seduction Meals

Choice of One of the Two Items Below:

1. Iberian Suckling Pig
Twelve Hours Sous Vide l Textures of Apples

Photo: Terry Dagrosa / Seduction Meals

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2. Pyrenees Beef Filet served with
Truffled Potato l Grilled Onion l Truffle Glaze

Photo: Terry Dagrosa / Seduction Meals

Altejo, Ros de Can Pujol, Casa Matev Cheese
Almond Cube, Crisp Honey Jelly, Blood Orange Marmalade

Photo: Terry Dagrosa / Seduction Meals

Dessert

Clementine Textures
Sorbet l Caramel l Jelly l Frozen Shavings in a Chilled Orange Soup

Photo: Terry Dagrosa / Seduction Meals

Warm 67% Chocolate
Arbequina Olive Oil Ice-Cream l shattered Bread l Macadamia Nuts
This dessert was "orgasmic!"

Photo: Terry Dagrosa / Seduction Meals

Tentacious
Cream Flan with Violet l Chocolate l Mint l Vanilla Candy

Photo: Terry Dagrosa / Seduction Meals

The mastermind behind Cinc Sentits is Jordi Atal. Completely self-taught, Artal's cuisine is rooted in Catalunya's culinary traditions, utilizing contemporary techniques and pristine local ingredients. Named one of the six best new restaurants in Spain shortly after opening, Cinc Sentits was awarded a Michelin star in 2008

Cinc Sentits prides itself on using the highest quality ingredients, and partnering with small purveyors from around Catalunya and the rest of Spain who share their passion for quality. Some of the items you will find on their tasting menus include:
   •   Fish--always wild--from small fishing villages on the coast
   •   Deep water prawns from Palamós
   •   Lamb from the Pyrenees
   •   Veal from Galícia
   •   Foie Gras from the Baix Empordà
   •   Fresh churned butter from the Catalan Pyrenees
   •   Iberian suckling pigs from Extremadura
   •   Farmhouse cheeses from La Torre de l'Espanyol (Tarragona)

Condé Nast Traveler, quoted Cinc Sentits as "One of the 80 hottest new restaurants in the world", while Travel and Leisure Magazine quotes "Locals, tourists, and even those grouchy Madrid restaurant critics adore the place; and Gourmet Magazine raves "The market-driven menu shines (look for dishes like red mullet on braised endive with toasted pine nuts, brown butter, and parsley oil)"

When in Barcelona be sure to treat yourself to a memorable romantic meal for two at Cinc Sentits. If you appreciate fine dining, I promise you will fondly remember this as one of the best culinary experiences you shared together.

Posted by terry dagrosa at 11:11AM on June 05 in Romantic Restaurants, romantic travel / Permalink