You probably already know we’ve been having an amazing time in Valencia. We’ve been hot air ballooning, enjoying late-night feasts, and exploring tons of other exciting things. So, it’s no surprise that I was thrilled the whole time we were there.
One morning, after breakfast at the hotel, we decided to continue our Valencia adventure with even more delicious food. This time, it was all about Michelin-star dining. But not just any Michelin-star experience; we got to meet the chef at the market to pick out ingredients for our meal. It was incredible to see the process from farm to table.
We kicked off our day with a coffee at the chef’s favorite spot before diving into our market adventure. I have to confess, I’m not much help in the market because I’m too busy admiring all the fresh produce and tasting everything I can.
By the time we left the market, I was clueless about what we had bought, but thankfully, Lloyd paid attention. I did manage to carry the bags back to the restaurant, so I felt like I contributed!
The chef, Bernd H. Knöller, runs Restaurante Riff. He’s super laid-back and truly deserves his Michelin star. His cooking style is so natural and effortless.
Our meal started with a clear Virgin Bloody Mary. It was fascinating to drink a tomato-flavored beverage without the traditional red hue. Then came melt-in-your-mouth thin pork strips, a tangy ceviche, and a root vegetable in creamy sauce—I think it was celeriac, but I can’t quite remember. After that, we enjoyed some delicious cured tuna.
We took a break from our meal to go next door for cocktails, where a talented mixologist, Vicente Ciriaco Ausina, prepared fruity virgin cocktails and a gin and tonic with a Valencian twist, using tiger nuts to make horchata. Horchata is a creamy drink that adds froth to cocktails, staying fresh long after it’s made. It’s perfect for parties!
Drinks finished, we returned to Riff to continue lunch with seared fish and one of my favorites, roast lamb, which had been cooking while we enjoyed our cocktails. Dessert was a poached peach with a unique take on meringues.
After lunch, we set off on a quest to find the Holy Grail. Many places claim to have it, but Valencia’s is believed to be the original. It’s housed in the Valencia Cathedral, an impressive sight in its own right.
The Holy Grail is in a special room, over 2,000 years old, which is quite remarkable. After taking it all in, we left the Cathedral for more exploring in Valencia to see what else the city had to offer!
