Two of Europe’s finest chefs team up and cook a grand dinner extraordinaire in Copenhagen this September for the second edition of “Product is Star”.
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Paolo Casagrande of 3*Michelin fine dining establishment Lasarte in Barcelona cooks with Eric Vildgaard at 2*Michelin Jordnær for one night exclusively.
20 servings tasting menu at 3000 DKK (excluding wine).
Tuesday September 29th at Jordnær in Copenhagen.
Reservations:
+4522408020 or info@restaurantjordnaer.dk
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CHEF PROFILES
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PAOLO CASAGRANDE
Like Copenhagen, Barcelona’s reputation as a destination city for fine dining has mushroomed. But until 2017 it did not have a restaurant with three Michelin stars. Finally Lasarte became the first in Barcelona to receive so.
Although the big name on the door is the 12 Michelin-starred Martín Berasategui, the Executive Chef Paolo Casagrande has been in charge on a day-to-day basis since 2012 and deserves much of the acclaim for Lasarte’s success.
Lasarte is a world-class restaurant. Every dish – without exception – works. It is the absolute embodiment of culinary sure-footedness. However it’s not showy or whizz-bang exuberant but an iron fist of flavour in a velvet glove of elegance.
It’s masterful cooking.
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Lasarte is more about evolution than revolution. It has evolved over time and is now at the peak of its powers. The restaurant’s service is refined and its accomplished cooking has a distinctive character. It deserves all of the praise and recognition it has received.
Modern and luxurious hotel located on the iconic Passeig de Gràcia, the main shopping street in the city and home to major national and international luxury brand shops, opposite the celebrated La Pedrera building, a few metres from Casa Batlló and close to the many other points of architectural and cultural interest that make Barcelona one of the most attractive cities in Europe.
The pre-modernist heritage that emanates from its walls, its exclusive luxury services, its varied and attractive range of cuisine under the direction of Martín Berasategui and its prime location are the calling cards of the Monument Hotel.
Lasarte’s recipe for success is quite “simple”;
work, strive, feel, listen, talk, taste, observe, thrill, improve, excite, think, imagine, inspire, decorate, pamper, reflect, research and work – work contentedly, eagerly, intelligently and intuitively to convey the flavours of the very best gastronomic experience to eager palates comme il faut.
Nature knows best and Lasarte follows its rules. The obsession is to work with the best produce offered by nature, the sea and the seasons, and transform it into a gastronomic experience. Each dish is created with passion, respect and care.
Achieving the third Michelin star was a source of great pride, but where Lasarte really strive to shine is in the restaurant’s dining room, and there is no better reward for than seeing guests dazzle with smiles of pleasure.
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ERIC VILDGAARD
“Jordnær – a lovestory.”
A former gang enforcer found the right path in life through unconditional love toward his wife and gastronomy, and created a two-starred Michelin restaurant in a historic but humble hotel within three years, while looking after six kids.
Jordnær took everyone in and outside Denmark by surprise when Michelin awarded the then unknown restaurant in the northern suburbs of Copenhagen a star during its first year of opening.
Since then, it has been full throttle on flavours — creating picturesque plates and mouth-watering creations of Nordic, French and Asian ingredients cooked with remarkable harmony. Amongst critics and global diners Jordnær quickly became a darling, and the restaurant was awarded a second Michelin star in February 2020, less than three years after opening.
The passionately run Jordnær (translation; Down to Earth) is housed in the northern suburbs of the city, on the ground floor of an unassuming looking hotel. Once inside, it’s a different story; the building dates from 1666 and the appealingly rustic modern restaurant comes with well-spaced tables, grey-painted timbers and superb mood lighting.
Seasonal ingredients are foraged by the talented, generous and largely self-taught chef, Eric Kragh Vildgaard, whose precise, skilfully prepared dishes have pure and harmonious flavours. His wife Tina is in charge of the service, which is performed with genuine warmth and knowledge.
Duo Tina & Eric Kragh Vildgaard bring forth new tones rooted in French, Nordic and Japanese traditions based mostly on Danish ingredients.
The atmosphere is very warm in the modernised “inn” with attractive plank floors, Nordic designer furniture and the impressive beam ceiling, with the service being both professional and personal.
Jordnær is a modern, sophisticated gem that suddenly popped up in the middle of the slightly old fashioned, bourgeoisie Gentofte-suburb of Copenhagen. It’s the story of the ugly duckling that turned into a beautiful swan in no time.
Nobody saw it coming. They do now.
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DETAILS IN SHORT
Who: Paolo Casagrande & Eric Vildgaard
When: Tuesday, September 29th 2020
Where: Restaurant Jordnær, Copenhagen
Menu: 20-course tasting menu
Reservations:
+4522408020 or info@restaurantjordnaer.dk
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Bon Vivant Communications is a culinary embassy representing star chefs and restaurants, chateaux and high-end wineries as well as working close together with various luxury hotels, gourmets festivals and bespoke concierges services.
The diplomacy speaks to a strong network of 600 journalists, bloggers and writers, as well as 5000+ global diners around the world.
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Hungry for more? Have a look Behind the Scenes.
