1) the Presidential suite at Hyatt at Olive 8

After filling ourselves silly with food, we jetted back up to Seattle to celebrate New Year's. We chose to stay at Hyatt at Olive 8 - a hotel self-styled as 'sleek, modern design' but really it's contemporary - near Seattle's theatre district. There we took up residence in its sprawling Presidential Suite - giving us 1600 square feet to wander aimlessly amid. We shopped, we ate (more), we ventured by Seattle's excellent public transit to Bellevue to the Belleuve Arts Museum to enjoy the George Nelson: Architect, Writer, Designer, Teacher exhibit as we are fans of Nelson and have some of his pieces. The world (and Ikea in particular) has Nelson to thank for he gave us the concept of the 'storage wall' way back in 1945.

On Friday night, we got all dolled up and headed to Benaroya Hall to watch the Seattle Symphony Orchestra play none other than Beethoven's mighty Ninth Symphony. For New Year's we ensconced ourselves in the suite, suitably stocked with several bottles of champange (bought at ridiculously low prices at World Markets down by Pike Place), ordered room service, danced, and watched a very uncomfortable Anderson Cooper try to remain calm while the ball dropped at Times Square.  

2) the bedroom; 3) the office

4) the other dining room table; 5) the living room

6) the bathroom

7 & 8) wine sampling at lunch at the Purple Cafe & Wine Bar - I opted for a flight of Italians; G for a flight of sparklers

9) pizza and salad; 10) fish fingers and salad

11 & 12) touring Pike Place Market

13 & 14) touring Pike Place Market

15 & 16) touring Pike Place Market - see fresh truffles!

17) the Market's entrance; 18) making cheese ... a lot of it

19) way up at Benaroya Hall; 20) looking down from the atrium at intermission

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Las Vegas is Disneyland for adults. You can slip away into both anonymity and silliness within moments of arriving. You can stay up late and see shows your parents might not necessarily approve of. Las Vegas is all shock and awe and reminds me of being eighteen again - hazy though such memories are these days, four decades on.

Neither G nor I are gamblers and everytime we visit Las Vegas, we do the same thing. On our last day, with about an hour to go before heading to the airport, we head to the casino. We drop $20 each into a slot machine and - usually within five minutes - exit the casino nine times out of 10, $20 poorer. I am happy to report on this trip, we exited $5 richer. Woohoo!

1) Luxor; 2) the amenities at Mandarin Oriental

3) at turndown each night the staff bring roses; 4) moi prior to heading out to dinner

5) G prepares to head out too; 6) the staff leave orchids as well

7) the Dale Chihuly museum

8) the lobby at the Mandarin - this wall greets you as you exit into the the 23rd floor lobby; 9) home

10) New York, New York; 11) the Chandelier at the Cosmopolitan

12) The Crystals Mall; 13) looking down the strip

14) Mastro's Ocean Club restaurant at the Crystals; 15) I know this woman!

16) inside the Crystals Mall; 17) big balls at Aria

18) Happy New Year!; 19) G heads to shop in Crystals

20) the dancing fountain at Bellagio; 21) taking a refreshment break at the Coke Store

22 & 23) where you can try different types of Coke products from around the world

24 & 25) more Coke tastings

26) the Venetian; 27) waiting for the monorail 

28) ballooning

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Let's get the bad and ugly out of the way first. Bouchon (at the Venetian), the storied restaurant of uber chef Thomas Keller.

(sigh)

1) the entrance to Bouchon; 2) me hanging out at the bar

Perhaps his venture The French Laundry fares better? I do enjoy Keller's Bouchon cookbook. It has a special place in the cookbook bookshelf and there are some outstanding dishes here. Sadly, on the evening I tried his restaurant ... not so much. Sure, I understand it's holiday time and staff may be distracted or staff usually on are replaced by more novice folks. Sure, I understand it's busy at holiday time. But, I expect when my concierge has made a reservation that my table will be ready. I said 7:00pm and here G and I are sitting at the bar as it nears 7:30 (albeit with a nice Chardonnay from California) when we're finally sat.

Bouchon is laid out in classic French bistro style with its associated noise, very tight table seatings and barely concealed chaos. The redneck couple beside us are having a non-too-happy meal. It's their anniversary, they inform our waiter, and the wait for mains has been disastrous. I would concur as our appetizers appear too quickly. They are good though. G orders Terrine de Foie Gras de Canard (served with toasted baguette) while I opt for Salade de Betteraves (roasted beets, sunchokes with garden mache & black truffle vinaigrette). Then we wait. And wait some more. Wait thankfully awash in fabulous bread and more Chardonnay for near on 40 minutes before mains arrive. G opts for Bouchon's classic Poulet Roti (a roasted chicked with caramelized savoy cabbage, forest mushrooms & whole grain mustard jus); I for Steak Frites (a pan-seared prime flatiron, caramelized shallots & maitre d'hotel butter served with French fries).

Yes, G's chicken is - as he has claimed for several years - "the best chicken ever" and I wholeheartedly concur. Alas, my steak arrives tough and essentially cold (with the butter still solidified on top) and the fries limp and lukewarm as though the entire plate has sat off to the side of the pass for umpteen minutes. I should send it all back, but frankly at this point want the whole experience to be over and can't fathom another 40 minute wait for a fresh, and hopefully, hot main. Dinner for two with a bottle of chardonnay, tax & tip runs US$228.00.

A better experience awaited us at Bobby Flay's eponymous Mesa Grill (at Ceasar's Palace). The overly long await here for a reserved table aside, lunch here with beers, tax & tip will run you US$100.00.

3) the restaurant's entrance; 4) TIGER SHRIMP + ROASTED GARLIC CORN TAMALE - Corn - Cilantro Sauce

5) MESA BURGER - Double Cheddar Cheese, Grilled Vidalia Onion + Horseradish Mustard served with Southwestern Fries; 6) GOAT CHEESE “QUESO FUNDIDO” - Rajas + Blue Corn Tortilla Strips

7) ANCHO CHILE-HONEY GLAZED SALMON - Spicy Black Bean Sauce + Roasted Jalapeno Crema

Better still was Julian Serrano's Tapas (at Aria) which is both a beautifully designed restaurant with superb service and wonderful food (the pizza aside). If you go, you must order the white anchovy - fabulous! Lunch for two with beers, tax & tip is US$67.00.

8) the restaurant's entrance; 9) coca mallorquina | spanish pizza | sobrasada | mahon cheese

10) creamy risotto | wild mushroom | manchego cheese | natural jus; 11) traditional spanish chicken croquetas | chicken | béchamel

12) white anchovy fillets | piquillo pepper | crouton | parsley oil

Best was our dinner at Twist by Pierre Gagnaire (at the Mandarin Oriental). Pierre Gagnaire is a 3-star Michelin chef and Twist is the only place in the Americas where you can try his fine fare. The restaurant is small - some 50 odd seats - and set atop the 23rd floor of the Mandarin and looking out onto the strip. We tried his 6-course tasting menu, but of course. Six courses is actually deceiving here as Pierre sends out many smaller courses with each course. So, for example, our amuse was actually 4 items. Twist is a fascinating foodie experience that you'll either get, or not. Pierre's modus operandi, I believe, is to challenge your perceptions of food and specifically what you think ought to go with what. It can be overwhelming - and the beef carpaccio and fois gras aside (which was just simply beyond me) - utterly worth a visit: romantic, unique, with perfect service provided by expert servers.

Dinner for two here, with a bottle of champagne, tax and tip will set you back a hell of a lot - US$621.00.

13) by the time our amuses arrived, all these seats were filled

14) AMUSES - hazelnuts and almond pralines; 15) blue cheese bouchon with pecans and apricot glaze; brioche with caviar marscapone

16) AMUSES continued - Blood orange & basil salad; 17) Jack Daniels and Guinness gelle wigth curry meringue & sable (OMG, must try to make these gelees)

18) Pierre's trio of breads; 19) SCALLOP & LANGOUSTINE - Scallops Ceviche, Mimosa Langoustines with Jerusalem Artichokes Gelée, Celeriac & Horseradish Cream

20) SURF ‘N’ TURF - Nebraska Prime Beef Carpaccio; Florida Clam Salad and Shaved Foie Gras; 21) Fanny Bay Oyster, Scented with Coconut Milk and Seasoned Ginger, Sapporo Foam

22) ALASKA HALIBUT - Grilled Halibut, Smoked in the Cast-Iron Cocotte, Chicory Fondue, Fennel and Orange; 23) INTERMEZZO - Cucumber, Tomato, Cantaloupe, Kirsch, Champagne Granita with Pineapple and Rhubarb Mousse and Pepper Flakes

24) WISCONSIN VEAL CREPINETTE - Tenderloin Crepinette, Pumpkin & Shallot Gratin and Osso-Bucco Jus; 25) Frito-Misto of Zucchini & Eggplant, San Daniele Ham

26) GRAND DESSERT PIERRE GAGNAIRE - FIVE DESSERTS INSPIRED BY FRENCH TRADITIONAL PATISSIERIES - Amelie, Green Tea Opaline, Lemongrass Ganache, Glace Royale Citron; 27)
Plums, Caramelized Plums, Red Currant Gelée, Brandy Ice Cream

28) Biscuit Chocolate Rue Balzac, Chocolate Glaze, Banana-Lime Coulis, Mojito Sorbet; 29) Apple Royale, Cinnamon Gala Apples, Green Apple-Lime Granité, Cinnamon Syrup

30) Roma, Raspberry Gelee, Red and White Raspberries, Pistachios; 31) MIGNARDISES

32) the restaurant emptied earlier in the afternoon; the open kitchen.

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Noted architect G and his partner, Brent, opted to spend Christmas in Las Vegas this year. "G and I are hardcore foodies so choosing Las Vegas was a natural," said Brent from his hotel room at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel (411 University Street) in Seattle where the two were holed up Christmas Eve.

The couple decided to try Amtrak's Cascades train from Vancouver to Seattle and overnight in the city Starbucks made famous before flying to Las Vegas.

"We'd heard good things about the train journey and wanted to give it a go", G said. "The scenery along the coast south of Bellingham, Washington is truly stunning as the train hugs the Salish Sea coastline all the way down to Seattle". 

The Cascades in fact wanders south from Vancouver, BC and in places sits mere feet from the ocean's shore. Two trips head south daily and the trip takes 4 hours. A business class reserved seat will cost you US$80/pp and includes a discount voucher for the train's on-board cafe. You clear US Customs in Vancouver and there is a short stop at the border south of White Rock where US Homeland Security staff board the train to conduct one further inspection.

In Seattle B&G lunched at Fonte Coffee Roaster (5412 6th Ave South) - a micro coffee roaster and wine bar with a decidedly hipster feel and that laid back yet thoroughly professional service Seattle does so well. Dinner was a casual crab-inspired in-room meal that consisted of a crab salad and avocado-crab sandwich with petite fries. Of the meal, Brent commented, "The Fairmont group does dining, and in-room dining, exceptionally well with a diverse in-room menu that is light years beyond your usual selection of burgers and chicken fingers". 

1) marcona almonds, olives and rosemary cashews at Fonte; 2) mac 'n cheese at Fonte

3) veal and pork sandwich at Fonte; 4) avocado-crab sandwich with fries at Fairmont

5) crab salad at Fairmont

While in Las Vegas the couple are in residence at the 5-star Mandarin Oriental (3752 Las Vegas Blvd South), staying in a lovely city-view suite with a view onto the strip. "The zen qualities of the Mandarin coupled with its unparalleled service and central location make an ideal choice," said G.

6 & 7) the couple's room at Mandarin Oriental

8 & 9) the couple's room at Mandarin Oriental

For their first meal - Christmas dinner - the couple booked seats at the sushi bar at Shibuya (in the MGM Grand) and ordered up master sushi chef Yoshinori Nakazawa's omakase menu. As Brent said, "I'm always in favour of leaving the food decisions in the hands of a great chef. Choosing any tasting menu makes dinner easier as I don't have to wander the menu deciding what to choose and am bound to be served something inventive".

10) Shibuya entrance

11 & 12) Shibuya's chefs at work at the sushi bar

Their meal on Christmas consisted of:

AMUSE

Kushi Oyster with Apple Momiji and Orange Ponzu

 HAMACHI TRIO

Sashimi, Garlic Ginger and Sichimi Pepper

Tartar, Tobiko and Garlic-Infused Ponzu

Sashimi, Fresh Kizami Wasabi, Wasabi Oil, Tomato, Jalapeno

SASHIMI DUO

Chu Toro, Ginger Soy Sauce and Spiced Crunchy Garlic
Kanpachi, Yuzu Juice and Black Truffle Oil

TATAKI

Australian Wagyu Beef, Lemon Tamari Soy, Tarragon Oil and Garlic Chips

EZI EBI

Australian Lobster Tail and Day Boat Scallops in Uni Sake Butter Sauce

NIKU

Braised Kobe-Style Short Rib, Sautéed Foie Gras, Sweet and Spicy Soy

MISO

Alaskan King Crab, Tofu, Namake Mushrooms

NIGIRI

Sushi Chef’s Choice, Grated Fresh Wasabi Root

DESSERT TASTING

Raspberry-Yuzu Calpico Pannacotta, Choco-Lychee Mousse Cake, Mochi Ice Cream

They washed this down with a bottle of Perrier-Jouet champagne. When asked whether the US$460 meal was worth the price Brent said, "Absolutely! The uni sake butter sauce was something I'll always remember and will definitely try to make at home, and Shibuya's sushi is certainly the best I've had in North America - better than anything in Los Angeles and better than Tojo's in Vancouver. And remember, it was Tojo who 'invented' the ubiquitous sushi rolls we are so familiar with."

And where else is this culinary couple heading while in Sin City? Well, Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill; Pierre Gagnaire's Twist; and Thomas Keller's Bouchon to name a few.

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1) the new pots!

Christmas came a little early to the B&G Vancouver household. Yesterday we bought a set of the new All-Clad brushed stainless cookware with its d5 technology.

We hosted beer guru Barb and Darrin here on Friday night for dinner. It was a beer themed supper that included:

- Chanterelle (with thanks to CSI Carlee for bringing these back from Italy for us!) soup with bacon powder and beer (yes, beer) foam;

- a simple salad with an orange and ale vinaigrette;

- beer braised lamb shank ragu with rigatoni; and,

- Guinness gingerbread spiced cake with cranberry sauce and Grand Marnier cream.

2) the soup; 3) the dessert

Freaking fabulous! And finally trying to get some of the umpteen movie reviews I've back-logged up on the site.

The Goonies

Richard Donner directs the outstanding screenplay by none other than Steven Spielberg in this 1980s young-at-heart escapist adventure. When Mikey (Sean Austin) and big brother Brand's (Josh Brolin) house is slated to be confiscated by an evil developer, the pair commence a search for pirate gold to find the money necessary to stave off foreclosure. The film is pure fun with a lightheartedness that is completely refreshing. The script weaves young romance, awkwardness, friendship, adventure and comedy perfectly. Two characters stand out and truly make the film - Chunk (Jeff Cohen) and of course, Mama Fratelli (Anne Ramsey). With Kerri Green (as Andy), Martha Plimpton (as Stef) and Jonathan Ke Quan (as Data), The Goonies remains a quintessential coming of age adventure that is a classic. My rating 9 out of 10.

When Dr. Martin Harris, a bio-technogolist from America (Liam Neeson) awakens from a coma after a traffic accident in Berlin, he discovers someone (Aiden Quinn) has taken on his identity. Not even his wife (January Jones) fesses up to knowing him. With the help of a cab driver named Gina (Diane Kruger) he begins to unravel the plot only to discover to his horror - and to the movie's credit - he is actually a bad guy in Berlin to blow up an Arab bigwig (Mido Hamada) and a too-smart-for-his-own good professor who is about to save the world (Sebastien Koch). While entertaining, the unknowns in Unknown simply take too long to uncoil despite Jaume Collet-Serra's 'let's-get-this-movie-ended' directing style. While made watchable for the first 40-odd minutes of mystery and the appearance of of Frank Langella (as Harris' US boss) midway through - Unknown ultimately uses too much umpf in getting to its point. My rating 5 out of 10.

1) putting Port Moody on the historical map

Wth Barb and Darrin back from Ontario, we met up on Saturday to hike away the day in and around the town of Port Moody, located at the end of the Burrard Inlet. Port Moody is, oh, a 30 minute drive from downtown Vancouver and is "The City of the Arts" nestled between Burnay and Coquitlam. It is perhaps best known as the termius for the Canadian Pacific Railway and still hosts an annual "Golden Spike" days. There is a fantastic network of parks maintained by BC Hydro and the Greater Vancouver Regional District Parks.

2) Lake Sasamat - where most of Vancouver's triahtlete's practice their swim segment; 3) hiking Belcara - Barb, Darrie and G got a little ahead of me

4) at Admiralty Point we came cross this 'home'; 5) the parks here are all part of BC Hydro lands and you can see where - way back - lumberjacks hammered in planks in these trees to stand on as they cut them down

6) Belcara Bay; 7) this Japanese family was busy fishing for crabs (something very easy to do here so long as you've a licence). They were catching Dungeness crabs which then prompted G and I to serve up the same Saturday night

 I should also note that we attended the too-much-fun Movember Vancouver Gala Party on Thursday evening at the Commodore. I forgot both my cameras, so, with apologies there are no photos of this great, great  party. The live band playing - Tainted Lovers - were amazing and if you get a chance to see them in your neck fo the woods - take it!

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1) the new Canadian Museum of Human RIghts continues to be constructed down at the Forks - what a fascinating building and can't wait for it to open and another visit

So after arriving back in Vancouver last Thursday, I have found myself in Winnipeg this week. It probably would have made more sense to stop here on route back from Toronto, but sometimes my senses fail me.  I am ever so hopeful this is the last travelling I have this year ... please, please ... as I've pretty much exhausted the Air Canada movie selections on flights. The weather has been wonderful all week ... sunny and warm, yes, warm for Winnipeg in November - yesterday we even set a historical high of 9.1C. Woohoo!

Meetings have been going well especially one I had yesterday with a Deputy Minister at the Manitoba Legislature.

Winnipeg remains a favourite of mine. The city does tend to get short shrift by many Canadians but I have always found my time here to be great. The people are uber friendly and the city has some great spots - Portage and Main; the Forks; the Exchange District (which is increasingly being used for filming). And, of course, the Winnipeg Jets are back in town so that's great news.

 2) the beautiful dome inside the Manitoba Legislature; 3) the main entrance is decked out for the holidays

 4) a late lunch yesterday afternoon inside the splendid bar at the historic Hotel Fort Garry; 5) another view of the Museum

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After some lovely downtime in London, last week saw me at the Village of Blue Mountain in northern Ontario for our annual strategic planning retreat. The meetings were excellent and it was great to meet-up with the great group of think-outside-of-the-box professionals I am priviledged to work with - late nights and too much food aside! 

1 & 2) a quiet Blue Mountain - that's the Westin Trillium House resort in background

3) moi & my wonderful supervisor; 4) moi and Ironwoman Judy (we actually did work all day!) ... that's another Donna's finger in the shot - her first time using an iPhone

5) my suite at Blue Mountain

I've been home in Toronto this week catching up with folks and am currently sitting in the Maple Leaf Lounge at Pearson awaiting my flight back west.

  

6) Monday was Keg Girls night - Ironwoman Judy, Mama Joan, moi and Carol; 7) last Sunday was a cousins dinner at the home of Lady Sarah [l-r] CSI Carlee; Lady Sarah, Sir Phillip with their little princess Annabelle, Cousin Richard and Blee

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1) mom had Riverside decorated for Christmas for my arrival ... so pretty!

On Thursday I flew to London to spend some downtime with family. Weather's great for November ... sunny and 12C today and I've just returned from the gardens and some raking of leaves.

2) the gardens looks tired in Fall; 3) Friday night mom made fish, 'fish on fridays' fish on a delicious bed of cauliflower tabbouleh

4) cheese for dessert; 5) the sitting room looks great

The girls - my mom, sister, niece and some dozen other female family members - are having a 'girls weekend' (read: spa and shopping) so it's been a boys weekend for us which naturally means cards, darts, drinks, sports and pizza. Gotta love it!

6) Papa, nephew E and Butchie (for the record, Papa won); 7) thence onto darts (with no injuries to the dogs that kept wanting to roam behind the dart board!

8) Papa ordered in the pizza from the local mafia hangout, er, I mean, pizza joint

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Alan Richman, with thanks to Cousin Richard, has become known for his travels about America trying to discern the best hamburgers (his opus 2006 can be found here for those interested) and, in what was a first for him, named a Burger of the Year in December 2010 (see here). Richman writes for GQ and not to be undone, our friends at Epicurious also posted their listing (a compendium of various food critic's reviews) here. 

There are differences and some similarities which all goes to say, really, it's anybody's guess and presumably one has to travel here and here to personally try these brugers in order to make one's own mind up.

ANYhow, G and I afforded ourselves the opportunity to try Richman's numero uno burger by flying down to Los Angeles this weekend. That burger is the unami burger brought to you by the Unami Burger chain.

To prepare ourselves - foolishly - we first made a pitstop into the ubiquitous In-n-Out Burger chain and ordered up a meal from the 'secret' online menu - a "3x3" and "Animal style fries".  The burger is good; the fries not so much and in true in-n-out style are wonderful going "in" your body and no so wonderful coming back "out" shortly thereafter, if you get my drift.

1) heading into In-n-Out; 2) ready to dig in  

3) the triple triple; 4) and animal fries (I really disliked the thousand islands like sauce on top 

And so we dash back to the hotel to, er, relieve ourselves. This trip out we're staying - in full on Philippe Starck-style - at SLS Beverly Hills in a very nice studio suite decorated with all manner of the finest Italian furniture from Cassina. SLS is poshy-posh and full of beautiful plastic people - presumably ourselves included - and has been dubbed the W Hotel for grown-ups. The absence of vacant eyed club kids, posers and lasses with heels to here and more make-up then sense is refreshing. The SLS team are exceptional from our arrival on through and deliver service that is refined yet relaxed.

 

5) me in the convertible; 6) our room at SLS 

7) me at Captain Kirk's Star Trek chair - rather apropro as I was hanging out with Mr. Shatner a couple weeks ago ... honest, I was; 8) the sitting area 

9) the bathroom with the infamous large bottles of soap, shampoo and conditioner; 10) G heads out 

Thence onwards another our meeting with Umami Burger. We order up their smashed fries (very good thanks to the double time in the deep fryer); two root beer floats (brilliant!); their namesake burger (so unctuous and juicy and damn, damn, fine) and a side of their housemade, exceptional, pickles. The pickles in particular I'm a huge fan of. The Japanese are fond of "tsukemono" (pickled things) and their pairing here with a Japanese inspired burger is inspired. Each item is uniquely pickled with subtlety different favours and I could have eaten plate after plate. Unami Burger however is not your typical fast food joint and be prepared to wait for a table inside.

11) arriving at Unami Burger; 12) here is the joint's namesake 

13) the oh-so-yummy pickle plate 

Full of burgers we had wanted to try Orris (with thanks to CurryCurry) but the owners opted to close the restaurant on Sunday evening! We had heard great things about the tapas-inspired food (especially it's modern take) at Bazaar, Chef Jose Andres restaurant at the SLS, and after a word with our concierge had a reservation. We have been so very fortunate to eat at many outstanding molecular styled restaurants globally - Aronia de Takazawa, L2O, Tapas Molecular Bar, even The Apron and Diva on the Met (with kudos to Chef Hamid Salimian) here in Vancouver - and Bazaar can be added to this fine list. Chef has done a great job of catering to the masses with a styling in the restaurant that is bizarre and does draw everyone from foodies like us, to business men, sets of cougars, first daters and yes, even families ... with children. All were on hand on Sunday night and everyone seemed to be having a great time enjoying the food and the entertainment, which includes a roaming bar trolley that creates molecular cocktails (think lots of dry ice) table side and naughty decor - we moved to the lounge area for desserts and sat beside skimpy ladies panties laced in French with such wonderful phrases as: mangez-moi; léchez-moi, and my favourite, baisez-moi (which you shouldn't load into any translator whilst at work I might add). We could only smile as Americans walked by in their French ignorance wondering what it all meant and neither G nor I volunteered translations when asked.

Dinner for two with about 10 tapas plates total, a bottle of Spanish cava, dessert, a cocktail, tax and tip will set you back about US$300.

 

14) olives - modern and traditional; 15) American caviar, crème fraîche, steamed buns and lemon air 

 

16) Baby beets, citrus, pistachio, olive oil goat cheese; 17 )  Jicama wrapped guacamolé, micro cilantro, corn chips

 

18) Smoked yellowtail and crispy rice, yoghurt, grapes, capers, radish; 19)  Cotton candy duck liver

20) Your life will change Dashi linguini with parmesan, quail egg, basil ; 21) Tuna ceviche and avocado roll with jicama, micro cilantro, coconut dressing 

 

22) Croquetas de pollo or chicken béchamel fritters; 23) the cocktail trolley prepares a molecular drink

24) Wild mushroom rice Idiazábal cheese; 25)  G's “New Way” Dirty Martini: A Martini with olive spherification and olive brine air

26) we moved to the dessert bar room for dessert and espresso; 27) a square vanilla cupcake with wonderful whipping cream icing 

28) these folks will greet you when walking into the hotel's elevator 

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