They say the enjoyment and appreciation of good food paired with exquisite wines is like a memorable journey. In one evening, Chef David Amoros of El Born shared his hearty renditions of classic Catalan cuisine with Nani Ramon Capdevila of Edetària and his selection of prized wines from Catalonia for an immersive deep dive into the region's culinary heart and soul.
The pleasures of food and wine they say transports you to a different time and place, triggering fond memories and emotions for an experience remembered long after the last tasty bite and soothing sip. And so it was that evening at El Born in BGC where Chef David Amoros takes you on a flavorful journey with his masterfully executed dishes made even more special with a selection of wines from Spain's famed Terra Alta region with Edetària. The flavors of the region come to life with each plate and glass in a lavish dinner taking you to the enduring centuries old traditions of the Catalan spirit. More than just another Catalan feast, Chef David Amoros of El Born and Nani Ramon Capdevila of Edetària whisks you off to the sunny Mediterranean coasts of Catalan with their stories elegantly plated on a dish and poured in a glass. Read on for more on the El Born x Edetària wine pairing dinner and experience a flavorful journey...
A local cuisine is shaped and defined by the land, history and traditions reflected in each dish. And yes, that includes each bottle of wine. At Edetària, the richness of the terroir offer distinct flavors unique to the region nurtured in silty soils and clay, fossilized sand dunes, shallow soils, river beds and fertile lime deep soils kissed by the sunny and nourishing Mediterranean climate. The interaction of indigenous grape varieties react differently with each soil type, resulting in bold yet elegant flavors. Then, there's the local grenache giving the region's wines its own unique personality and profiles. Nani Ramon Capdevila of Edetària shared with us four exquisite expressions from the prized vineyards that evening paired with the equally elegant dishes by Chef David Amoros of El Born for a double dose of the Catalan spirit.
Produced in small batches, Edetària uses indigenous grapes matching it with the right terroir in creating their organic expressions of Catalan's purest flavors. The proximity of the vineyards to the Mediterranean coast brings with it another layer of distinct notes to each expression from Edetària. That evening, another tradition served as the backdrop for the wine pairing dinner inspired by Diada de Sant Jordi or Saint George's Day with red roses as the theme to complete our journey to Catalan.
The evening's menu offered a glimpse of the feast to come at El Born, each one paired with the fine wines from Edetària for a Catalan experience right in the heart of BGC.
At the kitchen counter, El Born's now legendary cheesecakes which triggered the on-going cheesecake wars in the metro becomes another tempting display of Chef David's culinary mastery of Catalan flavors...
...as the kitchen prepared for another performance taking diners to the sunny Mediterranean coast. Everyday, flights to the Catalan region of Spain takes place with each plate served from Chef David's kitchen.
But tonight, the spotlight shifts to the selection of Edetària Organic Grenache Wines with the Via Terra Garnatxa Blanc D. O Terra Alta 2023, Via Edetana Garnatxa Blanc D.O. Terra Alta 2022, Via Terra Garnatxa Negre D. O. Terra Alta 2021 and Via Edetaria Garnatxa Negre D. O. Terra Alta 2021.
In another display, more expressions showcased the extensive selections from the Catalan winery. The wines of Edetària are exclusively distributed locally by La Bodega with its extensive collection of Spanish wines and beer (contact details below at the bottom of the post).
Nani Ramon Capdevila began our Catalan experience with the young Via Terra Garnatxa Blanc D. O Terra Alta 2023, a refreshingly crisp white with vibrant fruity hints followed by a citrusy and subtle briny finish.
Each sip takes you closer to the sunny Mediterranean coast with its bright and unrestrained notes...
...pairing well with an off-the-menu starter at El Born for the first leg of a memorable journey to Catalan.
The richness of the aged Picanha beef drapes the palate with its lingering beefy notes...
...perfectly tempered by the clean and briny finish of the Via Terra Garnatxa Blanc D. O Terra Alta 2023 from Edetària.
It's liquid sunshine in a glass. Refreshingly light with a soothing yet bold finish, the Via Terra Garnatxa Blanc D. O Terra Alta 2023 from Edetària is your welcome libation to Catalan.
Fresh off the Josper Grill, the Tartar De Escalivada Al Josper Con Anchoas y Romesco or grilled vegetables tartar with anchovies and Romesco sauce is Chef David's inventive take on a traditional Catalan vegetable dish. The name of the dish is derived from "escalivar" which literally translates to "cook in the ashes." The Josper Grill gives this dish a fragrant smoky aroma and flavor along with the subtle sweetness of the vegetables for a distinctive flavor profile. The deep earthy notes and smoky hints of the escalivada pair well with the bright citrusy and briny finish of the Via Terra Garnatxa Blanc D. O Terra Alta 2023.
A refill is in order, and Nani Ramon gladly obliges with a full "American pour"...
The Via Edetana Garnatxa Blanc D.O. Terra Alta 2022 brings deeper, well rounded flavors to the palate with its 70% white grenache blend. Each sip brings a lightly creamy and silky smooth mouthfeel followed by fresh and subtle mineral notes with bold briny hints. And Chef David has just the right dish for this elegant expression from Edetària...
Meanwhile, back in the kitchen dishes are dispatched with smooth precision and efficiency...
...for the dinner service as more guests arrived. It's another busy evening at El Born, as usual.
Chef David Amoros draws inspiration from cherished family recipes with his rendition of the Sopa Bullabesa De Pescado Y Marisco Receta Familiar, a comforting and hearty fish and seafood bouillabaisse with its fresh yet rich broth flavored by the succulent catch of the day. The deeper notes of the Via Edetana Garnatxa Blanc D.O. Terra Alta 2022 completes the complementary play on fresh, briny flavors in an elegantly seamless manner with each soothing sip.
The third course then makes its grand entrance...
The Arroz De Pollo Y Verduras Al Josper or chicken rice and Josper roasted vegetables is Chef David's homage to Catalan culinary tradition with its enticing array of savory notes...
...from the tender and juicy chicken to the smoky sweetness of the vegetables finished in the Josper Grill down to the soft and moist rice infused with all the richness from the various ingredients. Each distinct flavor comes together in a balanced yet indulgently rich finish...
...completed by the Via Terra Garnatxa Negre D. O. Terra Alta 2021, an intense full-bodied red with hints of raspberries, black currants, peppercorns and licorice on the nose. It's bold flavors on rich savory notes that just works well.
And Chef David has even more savory surprises from his kitchen...
The Secreto Iberico Con Parmentier De Patata Trufado or Iberico Secreto with Truffled Parmentier is pure pork love taken a notch higher by Chef David. Imagine fork-tender pork with that buttery finish releasing a savory burst of flavor with each bite capped by just a whisper of smoky hints. The silky smooth Truffled Parmentier adds even more layers of flavors and textures with each bite. And the perfect pairing? The Via Edetaria Garnatxa Negre D. O. Terra Alta 2021 with its pronounced ripe red fruit hints and deep balsamic notes cutting through the richness of the pork for that perfect pairing.
No dining experience at El Born is complete without the signature Catalan Cheesecake, and that evening Chef David presented his Cheesecake De Crema Catalana for the perfect sweet ending in a memorable Catalan journey. Inspired by the Spanish version of crème brûlée, Chef David reimagines this nostalgic staple in his signature burnt Basque cheesecake with its lightly caramelized crust. And it's one more must-try cheesecake to try from Chef David's repertoire of cheesecake creations you'll only find at El Born.
That silky smooth texture and intense sweetness from the caramelized crust combine for pure indulgence for the perfect ending to your Catalan journey at El Born. From starters to mains and dessert, Chef David and Nani Ramon of Edetària whisks you off to the sunny coasts of Catalan with each plate and glass served at El Born.
Great food, exquisite wines and good company, it's dining experiences like this that make memorable stories remembered long after the dinner...
...and my thanks to Chef David, Yvonne and Nani Ramon of Edetària for taking me once more to Catalan, one tasty bite and soothing sip at a time. And you too can experience the rich flavors and traditions of Catalan wines from the vineyards of Edetària, simply click on the links of La Bodega Vinos y Cervezas below and place your orders.
The classic wines from Edetària are exclusively distributed by La Bodega Vinos y Cervezas, One Legacy Place, Muntinlupa City. You can also visit their website at https://labodega.biz/ and their FB Page and IG Feed at https://www.facebook.com/labodega.mnl and https://www.instagram.com/labodega.mnl/ for more information and updates or call 0927 063 7967 for inquiries.
El Born is located at the 2nd Floor of Mitsukoshi Mall, 8th Avenue corner 36th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Metro Manila. You may call 0917 316 9129 for inquiries and reservations or visit their FB Page an IG Feed at https://www.facebook.com/elbornbgc and https://www.instagram.com/elborn.ph/ for more updates and information.
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