Closing The Best

I've never been, odds were that I would never go (2,000,000 reservation requests for a restaurant that serves 8,000 annually), and now it's totally out of the question. But from a gustatory standpoint it's sad to see one of the world's culinary cathedrals closing for good.

From the NYT...

Ferran Adrià, the Catalan chef who for two decades has been the leading catalyst and inspiration for avant-garde cuisine, has decided to permanently close his restaurant El Bulli, considered by many to be the world’s greatest.

On Friday he said he decided to close the restaurant for good because he and his partner, Juli Soler, had been losing a half million Euros a year on the restaurant and his cooking workshop in Barcelona.

“At that level of contribution,’’ he said of the losses, “I think we would rather see the money go to something larger that expands the concept and spirit of what El Bulli represents.’’ He said he would use that money to establish his new academy and to finance scholarships so the world’s most talented cooks can attend.

Update: A friend pointed me in the direction of El Bulli's website to see photos of thousands of Adria's dishes over the years....stunningly beautiful and amazing creations. (thx for the tip NH)