After using the gym of our hotel we got ready to continue driving south. We didn't really make too many exciting stops along the way because we were looking forward to spending time with family. We arrived at Elon University and my cousin showed us around her dorm and the campus. We were happy to help her move some stuff to storage since she's heading back home this month after finals. We were getting hungry and we decided to try Simply Thai for dinner. We checked in with the host and shown to a table. I was glad we were eating early because the restaurant got very busy while we were there. Our starter was the lettuce wrap which was delicious and had a good kick from spices. The three of us then ordered sushi for our entrees. Everything was fresh and for the most part really good. The downfall to the meal was the sashimi summer roll. Inside rice paper was 3 kinds of fish, mango, and avocado. Unfortunately, the rolls were in a soup spoon filled with ponzu & mustard sauce. If I didn't drain the sauce, the rolls would have been soggy and I would have eaten a week's worth of sodium. With that being said I would return to this restaurant next time we're in the area.
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On this rainy Saturday morning, we went back and forth about where to go sightseeing. We lucked out and enjoyed a cloudy but rain-free visit to Rockport MA. A few of us wandered in and out of the stores, while others took in the ocean views. A few of my favorite stores along Bearskin Neck are Lula's Pantry, Tuck's Candy & Gifts, Wicked Peacock, One Ocean One Love Shop, Floating Lotus, and Helmut's Strudel. At lunchtime, we headed to Roy Moore's Fish Shack Restaurant. We all enjoyed some fried seafood, clam chowder, baked fish, and pasta. I thoroughly enjoyed the lobster salad plate. To finish our touring of the day, we drove to Salem MA. Unfortunately, Greg and I couldn't stay long because we needed to go and take care of Fred. We did visit the Ye Olde Pepper Companie for some last minute Easter sweets. The rest of the crew headed over to the Salem Witch Museum while we headed back home. Later that night we met up for dinner at Pabu in Boston. To read about our dinner experience click here.
Valentine's Day may not be a big deal in Barcelona but we still enjoyed an amazing dinner and each other's company. The minute reservations became available we reserved our table at the two Michelin star restaurant Disfrutar. Disfrutar also happens to be the number 18 restaurant on the World's 50 Best list. The night of our reservation we checked in and had our coats stored for us. The staff showed us through the restaurant and one of the owners welcomed us inside. Not to compare them to Enigma but both restaurants have this special touch and it was appreciated. Our table for two had a view of the entire restaurant. The decor is bright, airy, and has the relaxed feel of being on the coast of the Mediterranean. From the sommelier to the servers, to the restroom staff everyone was friendly, helpful, and had a smile on their face. Throughout our meal I appreciated how the staff orchestrated delivering plates as well as removing plates. I don't know if other's would have noticed or if they would have been annoyed but I was happy to see the staff waiting nearby and using slight motions to ask for help, and always two servers at a time. To start our meal I enjoyed a glass of Cava while Greg tried a glass of red vermouth. Rather than over ordering by enjoying a wine pairing we selected a bottle of El Bandito Cortez 2014. For our meal, we decided to go with the Disfrutar Classic. Our meal was filled with bold flavors, hot dishes, cold dishes, and a variety of textures. A few standouts from this meal were the frozen passion fruit ladyfinger (bright, cool, and sweet), the black cauliflower with coconut lime bechamel (deep cauliflower flavor with a bright touch), hare and foie gras bonbons (unique, flavorful, and great texture), and the chocolate peppers with oil and salt (creamy, sweet, chocolaty, and a touch of heat). I loved this meal but it contained a lot of dairy (I took several Lactaid pills throughout the meal). Our meal was delicious and offered a few surprises but it felt heavy and we ended the meal feeling on the full side. I definitely need a nice walk back to our hotel after this meal. I completely understand all of the accolades that Disfrutar has received. The level of service, quality of ingredients, and bold flavor combinations are all outstanding. Disfrutar is another must visit restaurant! I have been a fan of Ferran and Albert Adria for a long time and was crushed when El Bulli closed. I was beyond thrilled when Albert Adria imagined and created a new and unique restaurant group. Our initial goal was to dine at Tickets. I sat online at 6 pm (our time) every day for a week trying for a reservation and ultimately failing. Luckily, we scored a reservation at Enigma restaurant. Over the next couple of months, I read reviews and they were either glowing or showed dislikes. My thought process for dining at Enigma was probably different from most people. I have dined at expensive restaurants and have been beyond disappointed. I love to cook and bake all the time and I'm pretty good at it. When it came to Enigma I was more interested in the skills and Avante Garde approach to food that is rare and special. To me, Enigma is a multi-sensory experience more so than just delicious food. After reserving your spot you receive a unique code and password to enter the restaurant. On the day of our reservation, we entered our code and password. Walking down the hall we were greeted by the staff, our coats were taken, and we were offered water. To me walking into Enigma felt like stepping into a cave with cool colors, ice, and texture. Our menu consisted of items we were familiar with, items we weren't familiar with and items I thought I would never try. The thoughtfulness, techniques, and flow of our meal were incredible. I also appreciated how the servers and chefs explained each dish and some of their process (some information was given after you ate the dish). There were a few dishes containing dairy and I ended up taking a few Lactaid pills throughout the evening.
I could not begin to pick out a favorite dish. The combination of textures, depth of flavors, and unique ingredients were truly special. A few standouts for me were the green mandarin Kakigori (bright and fragrant), Barnacle and codium (nice texture and slight sea taste), Pea "calcots" (fresh and true pea taste), the cured Lobster (I'm a New Englander and this was the best bite of lobster I've ever had), and the Autumn salad (who knew I would enjoy Sea Anemone).
With close to 40 creations one would think we'd end up being completely full. I was happily surprised that we were content and not uncomfortable. If you are looking for wonderful service, delicious food, unique ingredients, and a new approach to dining Enigma is a must visit restaurant!
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