Del Cielo a Madrid- La Bien Aparecida

La Bien Aparecida is a restaurant with a gastronomic reference of Cantabria. It is one of four sister restaurants located in Madrid right off the metro station Serrano and Velazquez. What I love about La Bien Aparecida is that it offers a Menú Desgustación; which is a tasting menu that allows people to try signature dishes of theirs.

In fact, as a lover of food and art I highly recommend trying their tasting menu because it is coupled with flavor and presentation. Every plate is intricately designed to appeal to the eye. The food arrangement and plate design go hand in had to convey magic and delight with every bite. Here I will show you a few of my favorite selections they served that night.

Left to Right:

• Creamy croquette with smoked ham and boiled egg

• Bite-sized steak tartar

• Bombón de Mejillones (mussels)

At the top:

• Snack de anguila ahumada (smoked eel)

I want you to know that there were some wonderful starters, and pictures don't do them justice. A favorite starter of mine was this tomato salad, cold watermelon and beet soup. It tastes and looks better than it sounds because it was this bright red color with beautiful flowers.

Both my husband and I loved the Purrusalda with potatoes and bacalao wrapped in thin pasta. The flavors were so intense and yet so light at the same time. The bacalao just melted in your mouth. No wonder they said it was from heaven to Madrid.

Another fish dish:

• Merluza de anzuelo en salsa verde y espárragos blancos

Meat dish:

• Royal Style Hare

I do have to say that I did not like this one personally. It was probably the sauce or the texture I didn't enjoy tasting. Fortunately, once my plate was removed after having taken one bite and deciding it wasn't for me- the host came to my table and asked to substitute the meat dish for another. I declined, as I was already getting full but I thought to myself... well that was a nice gesture. They offered to change a plate without having me ask.

Now for dessert, it was really simple and fresh. We were given a white chocolate bonbón with cookie inside. It melted so effortlessly. We also ate a fresh dessert with a lime base and scoop of almond ice cream. It was so beautifully displayed, that I couldn't help but try every part of it one by one.

Everything in La Bien Aparecida was so delicious and carefully arraigned. I don't always dine out and go to fancy restaurants- but it was my husbands' birthday dinner and this was a perfect fine dining experience. Even Sofia Vergara claims to have come to this restaurant with friends. It is a top choice of hers when visiting Madrid.