On 15 March, on Manhattan’s West Side, was the opening of Little Spain Market, the ambitious project led by chef José Andrés, in partnership with the Adrià Brothers, which aims to become a showcase for Spanish gastronomy in the United States.
Mercado Little Spain is the result of the José Andrés and his team of collaborators’ passion, culinary experience and devotion to telling stories, which has embodied in this space a letter of love to their country, Spain. In order to make his dream a reality, José Andrés has brought along his friends and fellow chefs Albert and Ferran Adrià as creative partners on the project. The three worked together in the kitchen of the elBulli restaurant in Spain, which was for a number of years the world’s best restaurant. Their friendship revolutionised the world of fine-dining, and has now led to their combined culinary genius and the best gourmet products and Spanish dishes coming together in the New York’s Hudson Yards development.
Inspired by historic Spanish markets, José Andrés has created a new and original space in the city, where New Yorkers can enjoy and all-day experience of Spanish culinary excellence whether with family and friends, business lunches with colleagues or as fast food to go. There are three restaurants (Leña, Mar and Spanish Diner), several bars and kiosks offering the most varied range of fine Spanish food, and three shops selling a wide variety of gourmet products, gifts and Spanish cook books, among others.
The interior design for this major culinary project is by the Spanish firm Capella García Arquitectura, in partnership with the New Yok studio ICRAVE and Anthony Mrkic Architect, Inc. and features the best in Spanish design. The furniture includes pieces by such firms as Kettal, Sancal and Isimar, inviting visitors to relax in their comfortable chairs while eating at the tables, in addition to the famous football tables by RS Barcelona and solid kitchen work surfaces made from Dekton® and Silestone® by Cosentino. And the lighting is provided by designer fittings by firms such as LZF Lamps, Marset, Bover and Santa&Cole. The perfect marriage of design and gastronomy, made in Spain.
Spanish chef José Andrés pioneered the introduction of Spanish tapas into the United States and his group of more than 30 restaurants has been acknowledged with many awards, including the two Michelin stars given to his MiniBar restaurant in Washington DC. He has featured twice on the list of the 100 most influential people compiled by the prestigious Time magazine, and has been named ‘Best Chef’ and ‘Humanitarian of the Year’ by the James Beard Foundation. He is also an internationally renowned culinary innovator, author, educator and television celebrity, as well as owner of ThinkFoodGroup and founder of World Central Kitchen.