Cinc Sentits

The highlight of my entire Barcelona experience was our very fine meal at Cinc Sentits. Cinc Sentits means five senses in Catalan and fittingly our meal there stimulated all of them. We made reservations for their special anniversary tasting dinner which featured 9 courses with 7 wine pairings. Here were the courses served:

Amuse Bouche - Maple Syrup, Cava Sabayon, Cream and Rock Salt served in a shot glass. This was a thoroughly surprising and delicious treat. I found myself wanting to lick the bottom of the glass but didn't. The first gigles of delight were heard around the table after this course.

1. Poached Quail Egg served over Parmiggiano Reggiano cream and topped with candied lemon. This was served on a spoon and eaten all at once. The combination of flavors and textures was nice but overall I was least impressed with this dish.

2. Spring Pea Soup with Trout Roe and Mint. This was a cold soup that was served in a tiny bowl with a miniature spoon. The cool, smooth soup and the exploding, salty roe was a fantastic contrast of flavor and texture. Everyone at the table loved this one.

3. Foie Gras Terrine Coca: crisp pastry base, balsamic-glazed leeks, sugar crust This dish featured a seared piece of Foie topped with a sugar crust, chives & rock salt and served over balsamic glazed leeks and a puff pastry crust. This provided the first belly laughs of the night at its absurd deliciousness.

4. Seared Galician Scallop served on a puree of Jerusalem Artichoke topped with a crispy piece of Jamon Iberico. Everyone at the table took time smelling this before we even took a bite. The flavors, especially the combination of the Jamon and Scallops was brilliant.

5. Grilled Monkfish with Asparagus Tips served over a black olive tapenade, lemon caramel and parsley oil. This was one of my favorites of the night, mostly because it took a flavor that isn't one of my favorites (black olive) and did something imagintive with it that I totally loved. This was another major hit with everone.

6. Roasted Suckling Pig served with a poached apple slice and an apple compote. The crispy skin on this was incredible and the pork was roasted to perfection.

7. A scoop of Cabrales and Marscapan Cheeses over a round slice of pear and topped with a toasted slice of garlic melba toast. This was an ingenious cheese course. Another smart and delecious combination of flavors that left everyone at the table smiling and moaning with delight. Shanna especially loved this one.

8. 5 Textures of Lemon: This was a lemon cake covered in lemon cream, lemon powder, lemon foam, and lemon vodka granita. It was served with a chilled shot of Grey Goose Vodka. One of the best desserts I've ever had, anywhere.

9. Chocolate Valhrona: brownie base, hazelnut and neule crunch, hazelnut ice cream. This was paired with the most unusual of all the wines, a sherry that tasted like raisens.

All of these dishes were paired with amazing wines from various regions of Spain and delivered with some of the most intelligent and delightfully pleasant service I've ever had. The Artal family have one of the best restaurants anywhere and I highly recommend going for the entire tasting menu if you ever have the chance.

Comments

[The Pirate Dorgenois]

Wow and I was just marveling at the thin-crust goodness that Dominoes delivered to my door. You win.

Cheers,
PD

[Ryan]

No manchego cheese sandwich?

[shanna]

I loved the pea soup, cabrales cheese and pear, and of course the lemon 5 ways. What a treat, this was one of the hi-lights of the trip! I am so glad you discovered this place. Highly recommended.

[rose]

my favorites were the pea soup, the monkfish and the lemon dessert. thanks again jonah.