Cannelloni with goat cecina, escarole and sautéed mushroom chanterelles, at Cocinandos.
It seems that our unconscious tends to associate the concept of exclusivity with that of unattainable luxury. In the same way, when they talk to us about the Michelin star restaurants We never considered paying a visit to your living room – not even on a whim – for fear of the fearsome and inflated final bill.
It is true that in the big capitals the prices of these wonderful, award-winning menus they are above average… just like the flats, the quality of life, transportation, etc. For this reason, we propose expand the vision of the starry cosmos of the peninsula and opt for more remote and, at the same time, more 'accessible' places. Why not take advantage of a weekend getaway to give us a tribute in the form of a designer kitchen?
Leon Cathedral
Without going any further, approaching the historical Leon city, From the outset, it is not a very risky outlay. Just over 330 kilometers from Madrid, in a three-hour drive, you will find yourself in the heart of the old town to let yourself be enthralled by its cathedral, one of the most refined french gothic style Or, if you prefer, on Alvia (Renfe long-distance train; €71), you'll be much more comfortable, relaxed and safe.
NH Plaza Mayor Hotel
Choose a centrally located hotel, such as the NH Plaza Mayor, with a privileged location in the heart of Barrio Húmedo, the old town of the capital, where the Leonese spend their leisure time tapas to the rhythm of the new wines DO. Land of Leon Don't miss the opportunity to ask for a bierzo, renovated and with a much more current character. For the classics, I recommend the always safe pizza tapa from La Competencia (with that faded touch of Cabrales so characteristic and so little bothersome). In The rebound the difficult thing will be to choose between its more than five types of croquette And, if you have a strong character and don't mind paying for the tapas (in León you don't have to pay for tapas), ask for black pudding at the mythical bar The ferret (They assure that it is the best, but do not make the mistake of asking the owner, quite prone to rebuke customers with his 'hard pose').
Room of the NH Plaza Mayor Hotel
At sunset, it is time for the stars to appear. In the Cocinandos restaurant, with a show kitchen and a single menu (five courses plus a dessert; €39 plus VAT), Juanjo Pérez and his wife Yolanda León have devised this way of proceeding to control costs and, above all, to almost never repeat dishes. usually change the menu every week, but now they have creamy cappuccino with San Jorge mushrooms and cecina; cold cherry, tuna and avocado soup; mille-feuille of marinated salmon, apple cheese and asparagus; roasted wild turbot, mushrooms and potatoes and tobiko roe; vacuum-roasted suckling pig tacos, pear lemonade and cream cheese and strawberries with cream “their” way, but from Monday you will have to come by yourself to check out their new delicacies made with dedication and know-how. His style could be defined as urban market cuisine.
The sum: train ticket (71 euros) + hotel night (69.99 euros for two people) + menu in a restaurant with a Michelin star (42.12 euros) = €148,115 per person.
The conclusion: for less than 150 euros it is possible to gastronomic and high altitude weekend in a fascinating and historic city.
Juanjo Perez and Yolanda Leon