Eating is a pleasure, but increasingly a very expensive pleasure. The great chefs, the most famous cooks enter our homes, on our cell phones through cooking shows, through social networks, and we want to taste these edible works of art that enter our eyes. And we really want to, but going to Casa Marcial, Diverxo, Celler de Can Roca, Atrio, Coque or Ricard Camarena and getting a “three star” can leave a big hole in the monthly budget.
Fortunately, the tops Cuisines also seek to get closer to the general public, to reach more guests, to conquer younger palates and to develop alternatives to haute cuisine. Almost all of them create other hospitality businesses that enjoy the well-deserved fame of the stars and suns where they offer more affordable cuisine, almost always more casual and with nods to their best-known creations.
Let’s not forget that tasting menus in a restaurant of the highest Michelin positions can cost 300 euros per person and these options low cost They allow us to eat for a third of this quantity and even less depending on the place chosen.
There are many options ‘junior’, Almost all the big ones have more affordable ones, some chefs even have two or three. Here we offer you some where you can treat yourself to a tasting of the cuisine of the greats at low prices.
Origin, by David Yárnoz
At the foot of the Urdániz Mill (two Michelin stars), the old stone house houses the other restaurant of David Yárnoz, the chef who cooks the essence of his local produce. At Origen, she preserves family cooking and traditional stews to which she knows how to give a twist without losing their essence.
The guest who chooses to stay at the bottom of the mill and does not climb to the two stars will not regret it because the Navarrese offers delicacies such as a tripe stew which must soak the good bread that this house also offers, roast trout. , local vegetables like leeks in a terrine or ajoarriero cod. All with the same philosophy of sustainability and product worship with which it operates in the parent company.
Ctra Nacional 135, km.16.5 – 31698 Urdániz, Navarre
Tragatá, by Benito Gómez
Tragatá is the most sparkling space of chef Benito Gómez, creator of Bardal where he has two Michelin stars. In both cases they offer a journey into the depths of Ronda and there is no shortage of local products. But in Tragatá, among the nods to Asian cuisine, we find morro stews, zucchini, juicy salad or omelette, Iberian presa and lamb shoulder. And to drink, a very good selection of Ronda wines.
This proposal, with two locations in Malaga and Ronda, has many successes to its credit: second best Iberian ham croquette at the Madrid Fusión 2021, best Russian salad in Spain at Gastronomika in San Sebastián and best tripe at the World Championship of guts 2023.
Tragatá Ronda: C/Nueva, 4, 29400 Ronda, Málaga
Tragatá Málaga: Alameda Principal, 3, Málaga
La Cala de Buenavista, by Iván Cerdeño
Iván Cerdeño, brand new with two Michelin stars from his cigar overlooking the Tagus River in Toledo, has also launched a more affordable alternative. In this case, Cala de Buenavista is an urban beach bar that tries to convey the freshness of these laid-back beaches. With a magnificent view, you can taste the chef’s famous croquettes awarded at Madrid Fusión and other typical beach bar dishes: squid, skewers, marinated fish, omelettes or hamburgers, but with the touch of the Toledo chef.
Parque Belgium, 1, 45005 Toledo
House of the Mermaid, by Jesús Segura
Casa de la Sirena is the little brother of Casas Colgadas, an emblematic Michelin-starred restaurant in Cuenca. The person in charge of the kitchens of both is Jesús Segura de Cuenca, and in both he develops the philosophy of his arid cuisine attached to his land.
In this more affordable place than the parent company, with modern and elegant decoration – but without a view of the other place – the chef offers simpler cuisine, with the same philosophy of renovation based on traditional recipes and products from Cuenca.
C/ Obispo Valero, 16001 Cuenca
Gloria, by Esther and Nacho Manzano
Gloria is the proposal that brought the cuisine of Esther and Nacho Manzano closer to the urban public. This restaurant with two locations in Gijón and Oviedo participates in the philosophy of the famous Casa Marcial d’Arriondas, a cuisine dedicated to the product, deeply rooted in the traditional recipe – although in the case of Gloria, more relaxed and accessible.
On the menu, memorable dishes from the parent company like their ham croquettes, Calella pitu rice or fabada share the spotlight without complexity, with tapas from the usual bars like the Russian salad and with proposals with oriental touches like the plays. .Thai.
The important thing is that these young children from Casa Marcial maintain the quality of the native proposal and that the public responds by filling their tables every day.
Gloria Oviedo: C/Cervantes, 24, 33004 Oviedo, Asturias
Gloria Gijón: Plaza Florencio Rodríguez, 3, Centro, 33206 Gijón, Asturias
Llisa Negra, by Quique Dacosta
Mediterranean chef Quique Dacosta, who runs the three-star restaurant that bears his name in Denia, also offers more casual and affordable cuisine at his Llisa Negra.
Located in the capital of Valencia, this place, white and clean like the houses by the sea, offers both in the tasting and in the menu the cult of the foods of its land and simple preparations, with the prominence of the grill, the salty, vegetables. of the Valencian garden and rice.
Little artifice and a lot of product with a price much more bearable than its main restaurant.
C/ de Pascual i Genís, 10, Ciutat Vella, 46002, Valencia
Coquetto Bar, by the Sandoval brothers
In the heart of the Chamberí district of Madrid, the Coquetto Bar is another proposal from the Sandoval brothers who have already made Coque (two Michelin stars) their flagship. The creators say they want to “connect the human being to the environment, without ornaments, without pretension, in the most natural and honest way possible”.
And for this they offer a 360º place, from breakfast to cocktails, including brunch, lunch and dinner.
The menu seems to be a tribute to traditional cuisine, where cod fritters, egg migas, the famous roast suckling pig, torreznos, ratatouille and blood sausage all have their place. Casual cuisine, with popular half-portions.
C/ de Fortuny, 2, Chamberí, 28010 Madrid
Torre de Sande, by Toño Pérez
Torre de Sande is the proposal of Toño Pérez and José Polo, souls of Atrio (three Michelin stars) in Cáceres.
If there’s anything to start with, it’s the beauty of the site, a 15th-century tower house in the center of Cáceres that invites relaxation.
They define this proposal as a gastronomic house, which aims to enhance the richness of Extremadura cuisine. As it could not be otherwise, Iberian pork is the protagonist of the menu, as are local cheeses, tripe stews, ham croquettes or classic flan.
C/ Condes, 3, Centro-Casco Antiguo, 10003 Cáceres
