Cooks within the open kitchen at Hiu in Cambrils
Barcelona feels febrile with expat imports as of late. A seamless pattern following the US elections I think. And did I point out that Spain is at present the fastest-growing economic system on this planet? Even with Airbnb as a consequence of disappear by 2028, residential rents have inflated considerably, as has a cup of espresso, though there appear to be two espresso outlets per block typically. In the meantime, my earlier lifestyle and consuming out, that of serendipitously scoring a desk for lunch if I confirmed up early, is falling flat most of the time.
Which impressed me to strive a distinct tactic, get out of Barcelona. Reus has proved a treasure trove (extra on that in a later submit.) And for my birthday this yr, I made a decision to drive out to Cambrils with some girlfriends to strive Hiu.
Hiu Restaurant is an intriguing proposition. The Catalan chef Sergi Palacin grew up in Cambrils earlier than changing into Gaggan Anand‘s assistant in Bangkok for nearly a decade. Hiu means “to be hungry” in Thai and the menu will depart you sated and completely satisfied whereas it elegantly dances round South East Asian delicacies. Hiu has an A La Carte possibility. A traditional menu for 45€ with Catalan dishes like Kokotxas de bacalao, Canelón and Torrija for dessert. And the place we landed – Menú Degustacioń for 65€. Because the younger chef explains – when it comes to meals quantity, it’s the identical, however the second comes with bells and whistles—my phrases, not his.
Inside at Hiu Restaurant in Cambrils
The locale at Hiu appears prefer it might need as soon as been a toilet showroom, the ground and ceiling would possibly date again to that point. It appears like this has been a self-funded endeavour propelled by a confidence that the meals will depart diners oblivious to the inside ornament and centered completely on the plate.
The seabass bottarga made in home at Hiu restaurant.
The arrogance is merited. I eat the very best dish of 2024 at Hiu Restaurant. It’s scrumptious clearly however conceptually it’s flawless. It’s a one-ingredient dish – the ingredient being Sea Bass. The nose-to-tail proposition usually related to pork is spectacular in Palacin’s fingers with sea bass. The fillet is seared so exhausting that the pores and skin shatters just like the caramel high of creme brulee however with toe-curling umami. The fillet sits on a creamy puree that seems to be the ocean bass’s bones. The clincher is the bottarga, once more made by Palacin’s staff in-house. All bottarga is nice bottarga in my estimation however this one has a depth, a cool caramel morishness that has all three of us working our fingers across the plate. It’s distinctive.
Tender shell crab in a Thai chilli curry at Hiu restaurant in Cambrils.
That’s the star however there are a lot of honourable mentions: the candy corn and smoked sardine. The soft-shell crab – wow. Desserts are one other house run.
Dessert at Hiu with figs, honey and walnuts in Yemense type.
The fusion of strategies and recipes works superbly with the Catalan-sourced substances. And as anticipated, as soon as the meals begins arriving, the inside fades away to irrelevant. Palacin serves a few of the dishes himself explaining the thought with a shy smile. The eating room is full, on a weekday for lunch in Cambrils.
As of this yr, Hiu has been included within the advisable restaurant class of the Michelin Information, I think it’s on its method to a minimum of one star subsequent yr. All this to say that even in Cambrils – it’s best to name forward and reserve.
Menu at Hiu Restaurant
Croqueta de pollo satay
Hinojo marino en tempura – Navaja – Limón fermentado
Niguiri Koji con erizo de mar curado en miel.
Bocado de maíz Lyo y sardina ahumada
Brioche de queso, papada charsiu -brie – sobrasada
Seta erengui – pak choi – majada de menta y cacahuete
Almejas Tom-Kha, marinera estilo thai
Lubina 1 ingrediente: con su pilpil y con sus huevas curadas
Chili crab de cangrejo de cascara blanda en tempura
Molleja de ternera tikka masala
Tapioca, coco y mango
Hojaldre de orelleta, higos, nueces y miel: Yemen
HIU Restaurant
instagram.com/hiu.restaurant
Av. Baix Camp 2 Native 12,
Cambrils 43850
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