El Invernadero Rodrigo de la Calle

★★★★★ 3.8/5 - based on 6 reviews

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Kay X

★★★★★4/5 Published at 20 October, 2024

"Rushed Fine Dining Experience Despite Flavorful Vegetable-Forward Menu"

We truly appreciated the rare focus on vegetables in this Spanish fine dining setting—dishes like beetroot, onion, and radish stood out, and overall the food was packed with umami and showed a creative use of fermentation and acidity. The kombucha and water kefir pairing was a refreshing alternative to traditional wines and added an exciting dimension to the experience. Unfortunately, the desserts didn’t live up to the savory courses, and the service—though friendly—was not always well-coordinated, with occasional missed dish explanations. The ambiance was pleasant and casual, but the air conditioning was weak and kitchen smoke occasionally filled the dining area. The most disappointing part was the pacing. Despite multiple requests to slow down, courses arrived rapidly—sometimes 2–3 at once—due to pressure from a second seating. What is usually a 3–4 hour Michelin-level tasting menu experience was condensed into less than 80 minutes. The bill, totaling €500, was brought without asking, and we were out the door in about 90 minutes. As delicious as the food was, the rushed and pressured service undermined the experience. A fine dining meal should feel like a celebration, not a race—sadly, we left feeling stressed rather than satisfied.

Lars Holdgaard

★★★★★3/5 Published at 19 September, 2024

"Refined but Not Remarkable – A Solid Michelin Experience with Room to Grow"

We had a very enjoyable evening and overall a super solid experience at this vegetable-focused Michelin-starred restaurant. Opting for the long tasting menu with wine pairing, we were impressed by the number of well-executed dishes and the creativity throughout the meal. The ambiance and service met the high standards expected at this level. That said, when evaluating a meal in the €300–€600 range for two, it’s fair to hold it to the highest standards. While the meal was consistently good, we missed that “wow” factor—there were no truly mind-blowing dishes that linger in memory, which is something you often hope for at this price point. A few courses fell flat and felt like misses—dishes that didn’t quite come together flavor-wise or lacked balance. The most disappointing aspect, however, was the wine pairing. Even the house specialty selections felt uninspired and didn’t elevate the dishes as expected. In short, this is a very good restaurant with thoughtful food and a clear culinary identity—but in the realm of high-end dining, it didn’t quite rise above the competition for us. A worthwhile experience, but not one we’d rush to repeat.

Matthew Van Winkle

★★★★★5/5 Published at 18 August, 2024

"Unforgettable Vegan Tasting Experience – A Michelin Star Worth Celebrating"

Truly the best meal I've ever had. The 18-course vegan tasting menu was nothing short of spectacular—each course delivered unique flavors, creativity, and finesse rarely found even in the Michelin world, especially for plant-based dining. It's such a rare and refreshing treat to have an entirely vegan fine dining experience of this caliber. The wine pairing was expertly curated and complemented the dishes beautifully, enhancing the overall journey. Service was warm, attentive, and made us feel welcome from start to finish. Be sure to arrive hungry—every course is worth savoring, and you won’t want to leave a bite behind. The pricing felt incredibly fair for the quality and scope of the experience. I’m already counting down the days until I can return for another unforgettable culinary adventure.

Ellen

★★★★★4/5 Published at 17 July, 2024

"Delicious Food, Rushed Experience"

The food was truly outstanding—creative, flavorful, and beautifully presented. However, the strict 2-hour time limit really detracted from the overall experience. It felt rushed, with little time to pause, reflect, or enjoy the meal at a comfortable pace. The atmosphere, rather than being relaxed, felt like we were being hurried out. Additionally, the extensive use of kombucha in the drink pairings didn’t sit well with me and unfortunately led to some stomach discomfort afterward. While the culinary quality is high, the lack of a more leisurely, welcoming experience makes me hesitant to return.

Austine Chan

★★★★★2/5 Published at 16 June, 2024

"Disappointing for a Michelin-Starred Experience"

I had high expectations for this Michelin one-star restaurant, but the experience fell short in both food and service. We chose the gastrobotanical menu, which started well with the amuse-bouche, but quickly declined. Fried dishes like the seaweed crisp and tempura lacked any real crunch and arrived soggy. The onion soup and eggplant-beef risotto were overwhelmingly salty—bordering on inedible. Service was inconsistent. While our main waiter was kind and attentive, multiple servers brought out dishes at different paces, with one even sliding plates to us from the table’s edge—far from the level of professionalism expected at this tier. It also seemed some waiters were involved in cooking, perhaps intended to foster customer interaction, but if so, proper service training is essential. Overall, the experience did not justify the Michelin star, and I would not recommend this restaurant in its current state. Michelin may want to reassess its rating.

Tanmay Buch

★★★★★5/5 Published at 15 May, 2024

"Unique and Phenomenal Vegetarian Tasting Experience"

This was the first non-Indian Michelin-starred restaurant I’ve come across that offered a full vegetarian tasting menu—and it did not disappoint. The experience was phenomenal from start to finish, with highly original and creative dishes that showcased the chef’s talent and innovation. A truly memorable culinary journey for any vegetarian looking for something beyond the usual offerings.