El Palace Barcelona introduces El Jardín Libanés (‘The Lebanese Garden’), a new culinary pop-up rooftop experience, created in partnership with Chef Paul Haddad. Haddad brings the rich and colourful culinary traditions of Lebanon to life with a new menu inspired by family recipes passed down through the generations. El Jardín Libanés will open on 12th June and be open every evening until the end of September.
El Jardín Libanés has been created in collaboration with chef Paul Haddad, whose 30 years of culinary and hospitality experience in Beirut and Barcelona have culminated in a distinct culinary style, bringing Lebanese authenticity and local flavours to every dish. Born and raised in Beirut, Paul honours Lebanese culinary traditions and the art of home cooking with his menu inspired by family recipes which have been handed down across generations.
Guests will be invited to relax and enjoy El Palace Barcelona’s blossoming fragrant rooftop terrace where orange blossom and jasmine are in full bloom, reminiscent of Lebanon and Lebanese gardens. In Lebanon, orange blossom is a symbol of purity and prosperity, hence it is found in many ceremonies and celebrations similar to jasmine which is planted traditionally in archways, as it has been planted on El Palace Barcelona’s rooftop garden, framing the terrace’s view of the Sagrada Familia.
The menu will include generous spreads of traditional sharing plates, or mezze, true to Lebanese custom, including Haddad’s interpretation of classics, including houmous, moutabal, mouhamara, crudités, tabbouleh, fattoush, falafel with tahini, cheese ribak, kébbe kraás, spinach fatayer and traditional Lebanese bread. Guests can choose between two tasting menus. La Mezza del Chef which features a grilled selection of kebabs, shish taouk, lahem meshwi, kafta, sijouk, lamb ribs and grilled vegetables. Alternatively, La Mezza del Cedro includes the traditional fish dish samke harra, a roasted sea bass fillet with tomato, spices, almonds, and pine nuts, served with cumin-scented basmati rice and crispy pita. Both menus include a trio of classic Lebanese desserts: baklawa soirée (a nut-filled pastry with syrup and honey), mahmoul de pistacho (a semolina and pistachio biscuit with rose water), and mohalabihe (a Lebanese-style milk pudding topped with walnuts).
About Paul Haddad
Born in Lebanon in 1972 and trained in hospitality, Paul Haddad first arrived in Barcelona in 1998 to manage a family-owned restaurant, sparking a lasting connection with the city. He later worked in Geneva, Dubai and Beirut before returning to Barcelona in 2014, joining the culinary teams at Mirabé and the Mandarin Oriental as head chef. In 2020, he opened Beirut Barcelona, where the purest Lebanese flavours meet the vibrant energy of the city.
El Palace Barcelona
El Palace Barcelona opened its doors in 1919 as the first five-star hotel in Barcelona and is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. Born as the Ritz of Barcelona, El Palace Barcelona combines timeless glamor with contemporary experiences and impeccable service, creating a truly elegant and memorable stay in one of the most historic hotels in the world. Its 120 rooms and suites are designed with the hotel’s characteristic neoclassical-inspired style, while each of the six exclusive Art Suites is inspired by a discipline (painting, dance, architecture, literature, sculpture, and music) through a character that be a benchmark in it and show a close relationship with the hotel. The 1500m2 Rooftop Garden with its pool and panoramic views and the Bluesman Cocktail Bar with live music and renowned cocktails, as well as the gastronomic offering in Amar Barcelona, run by esteemed Chef, Rafa Zafra, make El Palace Barcelona the place perfect to feel the rhythm of vibrant Barcelona.
2023 Conde Nast Traveler Gold List, 2023 – 2023 (Top 60 Hotels in the World; #1 Hotel in Barcelona); 2022 Conde Nast Traveller Reader’s Choice Awards: #6 Spain; #2 Barcelona.