Michelin promotes two Spanish restaurants to three stars

Michelin has released its 2013 guide to Spain and Portugal and has promoted two Spanish restaurants to three-stars, taking the country's total to seven.

The new thee-star restaurants are Azumerdi in in Larrabetzu, where chef Eneko Atxa serves a "distinctive, creative, well-balanced cuisine with authentic flavours", according to Michelin; as well as Quique Dacosta, in Denia, which was praised for its inventive, original cooking that is firmly anchored in the regional culinary style.

The two restaurants join Akelare and Arzak in San Sebastian; Martin Berasategui in Lasarte-Oria; Sant Pau in Barcelona; and El Celler de Can Roca in Girona in the three-star sphere.

Two restaurants were awarded their second star: Moments at the Mandarin Oriental hotel, and Enoteca at the Hotel Arts, both in Barcelona.

The Michelin guide to Spain & Portugal 2013 includes 132 on-star restaurants, 17 of which are new entries. The guide also lists 234 Bib Gourmand restaurants.

"In terms of gourmet dining, 2013 was an outstanding year in Spain and Portugal," Michelin said. "Both countries continued to receive high marks for the quality and diversity of their culinary offerings."

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