Disfrutar

This blog likely exists because of Disfrutar. I was enjoying fine dining previously, but when I left my previous visit (almost 5 years ago), there was one thought running through my mind again and again:

"I had no idea fine dining could be this good."

Fast forward 5 years, and I gleefully returned for a second visit. The restaurant now has a 3rd star and is currently #1 in the world on the 50 Best List. Reservations are nearly impossible. They are booked a year in advance. The world now knows what I discovered in early 2020: Disfrutar is awesome.

The restaurant features two menus. The Classics menu is the all of the dishes (28 of them!) that they are best known for. The Fesitval menu is some of their more recent creations. Having done the Classics last time, my dining partners graciously agreed to the Festival menu. Also 28 courses.

Yet again, this place delivered magic from start to finish. Dishes that were beautiful, creative, diverse, imaginative and Just. Plain. F-ing. Delicious. 

Everything you have heard is true. And if you have one trip and one restaurant to target for your "special journey" (what Michelin describes a 3-star restaurant to be worthy of), Disfrutar should be on that list.

Run by a trio of chefs who came from iconic restaurant el Bulli, this one serves Catalan food with huge twists of molecular gastronomy and imaginative brilliance. An egg yolk made from red shrimp. Spaghetti made from squab consome. Aerated smoked butter. Liquid salad. It is continually difficult to discern whether the greater brilliance is in the execution or simply the imagination to dream this thing up.

And yet each course...all 28 of them...is something you groan and ask yourself "How can something be this delicious?"

I specifically requested a dish from the Classics menu (egg yolk and mushroom gel) that I have dreamed of since my first visit. They gladly obliged and it was just as incredible as the first time. The wine pairing was extraordinary as well.

Service is breezy and effortless. They get all of the little things right. My server from last time, who I remember vividly because he was so good, is now the FOH manager. I told him I remembered him from my first visit and he insisted he remembered me as well. I doubt he did, but he sure made me feel good! The general manager also came over to welcome me back, insisting he remembered my first visit. "You're in our home. Please enjoy."

Our initial server was young and fine, but spoke incredibly softly. We all leaned way in to try to hear him, and after a few courses, we politely asked if he could speak louder. The next course was brought by someone else, who finished the rest of the meal. Coincidence? Or did someone notice the leaning in and decide to improve our experience? This is not intended as a slight on the first server. Simply an observation of how a restaurant that pays attention to everything picks up on little things like this and silently takes care of it.

Today's lunch lasted 5.5 hours. Even as the dining room emptied, there wasn't the slightest lull in attention to our table nor the tiniest indication that they wished we would leave.

And we didn't want to. Who would? This experience is among the best on the planet. A place that goes beyond feeding you well and truly makes you feel amazing. Wanted. Welcomed. Belonging. Home.

Dining out can be an emotional experience, and every bit of Disfrutar is designed to make it so. It is in my top 5 of all time for a reason. It is #1 in the world for a reason. I have no idea how they do what they do, but it is such an immense privilege to be on the receiving end of such greatness.

Put this restaurant in your bucket list. Come to Barcelona for this experience alone. Trip a guest on their way in and steal their reservation. (Kidding!...mostly.) Do whatever you can to treat yourself to this experience. It's among the best there is to be enjoyed.