Astrid y Gastón

Calle de Ayala, 27, Madrid, Spain

Gastón Acurio has spearheaded Peru’s culinary advance across the world’s fine dining tables. His original restaurant in Lima has just been named number one in Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants, and the chef’s empire now embraces Madrid and New York, with Sao Paulo next in line for his spectacular Peruvian Mediterranean creations. Acurio’s Madrid outpost recently re-opened in discreet, darkly theatrical premises with spotlit dishes including tempura octopus on wetted wood and razor clams with tomato and chilli providing a taste of summer on a Peruvian beach, while Cebiche del Amor – ceviche of love – boasts crunchy lobster, oysters and a drizzle of small flower petals. Away from the ocean, there’s a sublime quinoa burger with mango chutney, followed by Aji de Galllina – chicken with quail’s eggs, violet flowers and Chilean potatoes, and a duck with chilli rice that tastes a hundred times better than any version I encountered in the dish’s North Peruvian heartland. We finish with chocolate covered meringue with black quinoa ice cream and chocolate moose. It’s supremely inventive cooking. And the really good news? It’s rumoured to be arriving in London next year. Prepare your taste buds now. IB 0034 917 026262