To mark the fifth anniversary of Llisa Negra, three-Michelin-starred chef Quique Dacosta joined forces with the renowned Francis Paniego (El Portal de Echaurren, Ezcaray) for a one-of-a-kind four-hands dinner that fused the soul of both their kitchens. Featuring a menu that honoured traditional cooking and the utmost respect for top-quality ingredients, forty lucky diners had the chance to attend this unique celebration.
Special Menu for Llisa Negra’s Fifth Anniversary
The exclusive tasting included iconic dishes by Francis Paniego, such as his mother’s famous ham croquettes, stewed pochas with quail, confit-style battered hake at 45ºC with green peppers and rice soup, and his signature Rioja-style tripe and veal snout stew.
From Llisa Negra, guests enjoyed smoked fish, scarlet prawn with sea urchin gratin, pigeon and smoked eel rice, and the restaurant’s emblematic molten cheesecake, among other specialities. The evening began with a glass of Krug Champagne, fitting, as Llisa Negra is an official ambassador for the prestigious house.
This dinner marked the third four-hands event at Llisa Negra since its opening. The first took place in 2020 with Bittor Arginzoniz of Etxebarri, a global reference in open-fire grilling and a major source of inspiration for the restaurant. The second, in 2022, focused on seafood and featured Rafa Zafra and his acclaimed Estimar, who brought their sea-driven cuisine to Valencia for a memorable joint dinner.
“For me, this dinner is very special. Francis Paniego is a contemporary, someone with whom I’ve shared countless experiences. I deeply admire his work with offal, his understanding of wine, and his entrepreneurial spirit. He’s a chef I was especially excited to invite to Llisa Negra”, says Quique Dacosta.
Francis Paniego, whose Hotel Restaurante Echaurren in Ezcaray (La Rioja) also marked a major milestone this year, its 125th anniversary of family culinary tradition, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to cook at Dacosta’s house in Valencia: “It’s a pleasure to share the kitchen and Valencian audience with Quique. We’ve been friends for many years, our careers have run in parallel, and bringing our dishes together in one menu made this dinner truly unique”.
Llisa Negra: A Benchmark for Product-Based Cuisine in Valencia
The collaboration between these two culinary institutions was marked by a deep respect for tradition and local ingredients. Llisa Negra celebrated its journey by standing side-by-side with key figures in product-driven gastronomy, like Francis Paniego, whose family legacy at Echaurren Tradición spans over 125 years.
Since opening, Llisa Negra has firmly committed to ingredient-focused cuisine, cooked using methods like wood fire and open flame. Located in the heart of Valencia, the restaurant serves perfectly executed meats, fish, and vegetables, and is especially recognised for its wood-fired paellas, prepared in the only wood-burning paella oven in the city centre.
Recommended by prestigious guides such as Michelin and Repsol, Llisa Negra has become a must-visit destination for travellers and a beloved gathering place for Valencians who appreciate authentic, high-quality cuisine.
For more information and reservations, visit our website: www.llisanegra.com
WHAT THE MEDIA SAYS ABOUT US:
Guía Hedonista – “Llisa Negra Celebrates Its Fifth Anniversary with a Special Menu and the Visit of Francis Paniego” – 7/11/2023
https://Valènciaplaza.com/llisa-negra-celebra-su-quinto-aniversario-con-un-menu-especial-y-la-visita-de-francis-paniego
Guía Hedonista – “Quique Dacosta and Francis Paniego Cook at Llisa Negra’s Fifth Anniversary” – 7/11/2023
https://Valènciaplaza.com/quique-dacosta-y-francis-paniego-cocinan-en-el-quinto-aniversario-de-llisa-negra
