In the heart of the Art Triangle is a luxurious hotel that still retains the essence of a modernist palace. It seduced Spanish royalty and aristocracy during the Belle Époque, and three decades later it seduced Hollywood celebrities such as the charismatic Ava Gardner. In 2021 it reopened its doors after years of remodeling, and incorporated what is now one of the great attractions of the place: a set of gastronomic experiences of the highest quality.
Yes, we are talking about the Mandarin Oriental Ritz, which in 2024 had the honor of receiving the award for Best Hotel Restaurant in Spain at the World Culinary Awards. Of all the hotel’s gastronomic spaces, the one that won the award was El Jardín del Ritz, a sophisticated open-air enclave with a menu prepared by Quique Dacosta: the renowned chef from Extremadura with three Michelin stars who has restaurants in London and Valencia.
Quique Dacosta has prepared a tasting menu with Levantine notes for El Jardín del Ritz. It includes an appetizer, two cold dishes to share -seabass ceviche with tiger’s milk and vague mushroom omelette with Iberian bacon-, a section of hot dishes with excellent meats as protagonists and a single dessert: cheesecake with red fruit sorbet. Those who order à la carte will find options of all kinds: from caviar to Valencian paellas.
The Ritz Garden has competed with five other top hotel restaurants in the World Culinary Awards. Two of its competitors are also in Madrid: Dani, of the Four Seasons Hotel, and La Rotonda, of The Westin Palace.