When Argentine chef, pastry chef and television presenter Maru Botana flew to Barcelona to visit her son, who was studying in the city, she was delighted. “The kindness and closeness of the people impressed me,” she explains. Her six pastry shops in Buenos Aires worked like a shot, so she decided to venture to open one of her businesses -the first in Europe- at number 114 Roger de Llúria, next to La Pedrera.
A little over a week ago, this space opened with its own workshop where the customer is enveloped by sweet aromas as soon as they enter. On a counter to the right, brownies, alfajores, muffins and cookies welcome the visitor, but there what triumphs are the cakes such as the Rogel (insignia of the house), which they make with discs of dough interspersed with dulce de leche; the marquise with chocolate, pastry cream and red fruits; or the brownie with mousse and chocolate curls.
Some cakes will always be sold, but the idea is to keep changing the proposals. "We have a portfolio of 50 cakes, all with the best product." The portions are large, so going hungry is not an option.
They also have a savory offer, which is in charge of the cook Soledad Nardelli. It is made up of four quiches that vary according to the season and sandwiches such as the milanesa or the baked rump steak and chimichurri mayonnaise, as well as salads. For breakfast, they offer avocado toast, yogurt with granola or butter croissants, which can be accompanied with specialty coffee.
