Michelin-starred chef Modesto Fabregat is taking over the kitchen at Rioja Finnieston, in a gastronomic four-day exchange this Sunday, 22nd October until Wednesday, 25th October. Inspired by modern Spanish dining and local produce, Modesto is bringing his personal style of cooking into the restaurant for a collaboration with Rioja head chef, Luis Urrutiabeaskoa, as they both curate a distinctive eight-course tasting menu.
From the Scottish Highlands to the Galician sea, the two kitchen maestros who both trained in the Basque Country in Spain, have taken inspiration from their surroundings imagined dishes that reflect the best of Scottish and Iberian produce.
Rioja on Argyle Street is known for serving unexpected flavour combinations with their monthly market menu. The evening begins with two amouse bouches, paying homage to their cooking roots. Modesto chooses a Galician octopus carpaccio while Luis creates a colourful interpretation of the Rioja Boudoir cocktail – a strawberry infused dish with air cured Leones beef.
Speciality Iberian and Scottish produce features heavily on the menu which includes seasonal foraged mushrooms, suckling pig, west coast langoustines, Galician blond pig cheek and red tuna tartare.
Speaking of the Michelin Takeover, Eduardo Fernandez Blanco, operations manager of Rioja and the Rotunda Restaurant Group said: “Pushing boundaries in flavour is what our chefs set out to do every day. They’re inspired by their surroundings and their Spanish heritage. In Rioja and in Spain, food is a way of life. It’s in our blood. We always try to reflect our culture and passion in our dishes and we’ve worked hard to create an exclusive menu for Glasgow to enjoy”.
The eight-course tasting menu is priced at £65pp and is available on the evenings from Sunday, 22nd October until Wednesday, 25th October. Matched wines are available. To book a table contact Javier via email; manager@riojafinnieston.co.uk or call 0141 334 0761.
