Quique Barella has revamped the menu for the different gastronomic sites at the Oliva Nova Equestrian Center
Chef Quique Barella joined Oliva Nova Beach & Golf Resort in May 2024 as gastronomic manager. Several of these gastronomic sites are located in the Oliva Nova Equestrian Center, and are also open to the general public. They are therefore an added attraction for the sports and tourist area, since they are open to the competitors and habitual followers of equestrian competitions, as well as to visitors who wish to come and enjoy the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour.
Ocean’s is the gastronomic flagship of the Oliva Nova Equestrian Center. It is restaurant located in a raised location with an ample terrace giving a panoramic view overlooking the main competition arena. On the ground floor of the same building that houses Ocean’s, Sushi Corner is the star attraction, together with The Club, a space that acts as a cafeteria during the day and a drinks bar in the evening, becoming an alluring meeting point to enjoy ourselves after the day’s activity.
Central Aura Lounge, on the other hand, can be found between two competition arenas. This restaurant serves a variety of international cuisines and provides light meals for competitors, trainers and other members of the equestrian teams. The opening times of the establishments in the Equestrian Center (open only on competition days) begin early in the morning, since the high percentage of international diners has led to their services being particularly aimed at breakfast time.
Quique Barella tells us about his arrival at the helm of the different restaurants in the Oliva Nova Equestrian Center, each with their own particular differences: “As regards the Central Aura Lounge, the initial concept was well-defined, so the menu has hardly been touched.” The activity has been different at Ocean’s, however, where the chef has opted to change the service almost completely: “We have respected dishes that people really liked, though I have tried to lend a more personal touch to the cuisine, albeit always with a commitment to produce of the highest quality as the basis.”
In Ocean’s, Barella has kept up some favouritism with the foreign visitors, steak tartare being a good example, while introducing new dishes that lend a noticeable difference compared to the previous menu, with Russian salad, sweetbreads and hake cheeks among the new offerings. Furthermore, Barella has expanded the culinary choice on offer with four rice options, ranging from classicism to innovation: an arròs a banda, a rice dish with shrimps from Dénia, another using traditional llobaro or sea bass in cooking it, and one final rice dish in which the meat takes pride of place thanks to an exceptional steak. Ocean’s menu is rounded off with several meat dishes (steak, T-bone, tomahawk) as well as grilled fish from the fish market (John Dory or sea bream, depending on the day’s catch). The quality demanded for both meat and fish dishes is extremely high.
Although it is still too early to give an in-depth assessment of the changes introduced, Quique Barella is satisfied with what has been achieved so far: “A lot of the diners are people involved in the equestrian competition who have been coming to Oliva Nova for many years. They have appreciated the new introductions in terms of both the produce and the dishes on the menu.”
The revamping at Ocean’s has also affected the wine list, with new items being introduced thanks to the knowledge of the resort’s sommeliers. The new wine list includes local, Spanish and international wines, widely requested by foreign diners.
Quique Barella’s innovative approach to the Oliva Nova Equestrian Center is in keeping with the location’s unique character: “I wasn’t familiar with the equestrian world, and I was very pleasantly surprised,” admits the chef. “There’s a very good relationship among the participants, and we wanted to bring the distinctive side of the competition to the table, in order for our very own hallmark to complement the rest of the gastronomic range offered by the resort.”
Quique Barella has introduced significant changes to the menu at the restaurant Ocean’s, with quality produce as its primary hallmark.
The restaurants at the Oliva Nova Equestrian Center, unique to the place, complement the resort’s carefully selected gastronomic range.
