La Biblioteca Restaurant

La Biblioteca Restaurant Restaurant Review:

Within what was once the home of the Duke of Santo Mauro, this deluxe hotel restaurant occupies the former palace library and retains an air of intimacy and historic sophistication. Gilded cherry-wood panelling and sultry fabrics frame floor-to-ceiling bookcases that are brought to life with a rich palette of ruby reds and sapphire greens. Chef Carlos Posadas and his team capitalize on Spain’s freshest seasonal produce to create high-end market cuisine, with a menu that features classic Mediterranean dishes. Begin with pre-dinner cocktails on the terrace, which overlooks the landscaped gardens, before ordering starters such as garlic soup with stuffed sea bass, platters of assorted Iberian hams and cheeses, or stewed ravioli and black truffle. Mains course dishes include roast beef with arugula and Parmesan, chicken breasts with grilled vegetables and potatoes, and foie gras with gingerbread and licorice. An extensive wine list carries over 200 selections from across Spain and the rest of Europe. We suggest the Linaje Garsea from the Ribera del Duero terroir, as well as any of the cavas from Catalonia’s Penedès wine region. For dessert, try the cheesecake and berry infusion, torched crema Catalana, or a refreshing mango sorbet. And if you want to linger a little longer, be sure to ask for coffee out on the terrace.