Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona and the world’s first champagne house, Ruinart, are opening a pop-up restaurant at the hotel. Its Banker’s Bar will be made-over to recreate New York’s classic French bistro and wine bar, Bar Boulud, from 11 November to 16 December. One of the many successful restaurants of award-winning Chef Daniel Boulud, the pop-up, Bar Boulud Barcelona, will draw on the talent of guest chef, Thomas Piat, Executive Chef of Bar Boulud London at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London. To recreate the casual look and feel of the New York original, the pop-up’s décor will combine French bistro elements, such as marble-topped tables, red and white chairs, gold lamps and a natural wood wall feature that mimics the inside of a wine barrel. Adding a bit of mystery upon arrival, the hotel’s staff entrance will be transformed into a speakeasy-style doorway for Bar Boulud. On entering, guests will pass down a corridor lined with photos illustrating the world of Bar Boulud’s founder, Chef Boulud, and come into the bar by a secret entry after crossing the kitchen service area. Providing a playful and dramatic focal point, a mini kitchen in the bar’s atrium will be made to look like a food truck, with guests able to watch the chefs cooking through a window as they prepare special menu items such as Tunisienne Hot Dog (lamb mergez, brioche bun, pepper stew, cucumber mint yogurt) and Boudin Noir Croquette (black pudding croquette, apple sauce).
