Beijing has had visiting Michelin Star chefs, but until now none has worked regularly in a restaurant here. That has changed with the arrival of celebrated Spanish chef Xavier Franco, taking the reigns at the new MareNostrum Restaurant (橄榄园). After five years of successful operation with Restaurant Sauc in Barcelona, Franco plans to show the Chinese - and food-savvy foreign expats - the secrets that saw him bestowed with a Michelin Star, among other distinctions.

Manager Guim Valls said Xavier Franco will split his time between Barcelona and Beijing, while four of his team members will also be in Beijing, to give diners a full appreciation of the restaurant's origins. Two of the staff members will stay in Beijing permanently, while another two will stay for three months to train Chinese staff before leaving for Barcelona.

"Spanish cuisine depends a lot on the quality of ingredients," Francosaid. The restaurant imports important ingredients from Spain, including high-quality olive oil. The menu is simple, offering major Spanish specialties, such as the tasty tapas, seafood, and desserts. Examples are potato bravas, Catalan tomato bread, marinated mackerel, pork and veal meat balls, and mountain style rice.

Xavier Franco talked of similarities between Spanish and Chinese foods, such as a lot of chicken and pork, and sweet and sour dishes. But there are also differences. For example, Spanish rice is cooked less than in China, and with salt.

"We look to serving a high percentage of foreign expats," said manager Guim Valls. "But our target customers also include Chinese people, who, although don't know much about Spanish cuisine, would like to try something new. We want to offer a Spanish dining experience, a feel of Barcelona." The restaurant claims that it offers a personal cuisine that is direct and simple, where all dishes require its own technique and all ingredients are served after a long preparation. The decor, meanwhile, is international, simple but modern, providing a warm and relaxing atmosphere.

A meal complete with soup, starters, main course and dessert costs from 500 yuan per person. A business meal for 280 yuan, and a chef-picked traditional meal for 530 yuan are also available. Menu is in Chinese, English and Spanish. Manager and waiting staff speak English.

11:30am-2pm, 6:30-10pm. 2/F, Commercial Zone, Vantone Center, A6 Chaowai Dajie, Chaoyang District. 5907-0088. 朝阳区朝外大街甲6号万通中心商业区二层

(China Daily 09/27/2007 page9)