DSTAgE — Restaurant in Madrid

A misguided attempt at creativity that places experimentation ahead of flavour and experience.

I booked DSTAgE as a fan of Spanish experimental and molecular dining, having enjoyed places like Catalonian restaurant Disfrutar. Surely this 2-starred, much raved about setup in Madrid would deliver similar pleasures. The venue itself was great enough; a trendy, shophouse-esque vibe, with a seating arrangement that suggests it was not going to be a stuffy fine-dining evening but a more semi-casual vibe that wanted you to focus on the food. Unfortunately, that’s where you get the biggest letdown.

It starts off innocently enough, amuse-bouche that included chewy deep-fried squid balls and broth made from fish eyeballs; basically tiny, interesting inventions that hinted at exciting things to come. Except...nothing came. Or rather, each dish that followed remained almost like an extended set of amuse-bouche, all single articles of ideas that focused on giving you something different, but not necessarily memorable, enticing or tasty. A good example is the chorizo and egg dish which was a pretty, Instagram-ready bowl that promised a lot. Until you taste it and discovered it was an extremely normal chorizo, with no outstanding features at all. Only after does the server come to you, proudly declaring this was in fact a vegetarian sausage that had ingeniously fooled you. It was such an anti-climax because the dish left me so wanting, and yet the restaurant was implying I should be grateful to be wowed. Another was described as a rose pepper or something, which was simply a red pepper peel rolled to look like a flower that sat in a pool of reduced sweet-ish sauce. Very pretty, but again, it just wasn’t flavourful and felt so incomplete and simple (like a blank piece of paper simple, not a Mark Rothko simple).

And that was basically it the whole night, a tepid and lacklustre (taste-wise) dinner where you kept waiting for the one-off experiments to end and the real food to begin. But instead you never come close to any crescendo and are just left wondering why you paid so much (€170, and another €75 for wine pairing) to indulge a chef (who wasn’t even present to my knowledge). Perhaps the wine pairing could have elevated the experience more; but while the servers described the wines dutifully, they crucially left out any attempts of explaining why it was paired that way (I am only saying this because not everything paired intuitively after tasting).

I am by no means a gourmet or any sort of culinary connoisseur. Not even close. I am simply someone that occasionally likes to treat myself to a nice meal. And I get that sometimes, even top restaurants will not hit all the marks as they overly focus on either creativity or flavour instead of both. But a consecutive 2-Michelin starred restaurant? I think it was fair to say that what I got was really disappointing. For diners that rated DSTAgE well, perhaps that’s what they felt okay to pay for, a truly experimental menu that they felt gave them a rare insight into the chef’s thought processes. But in a city like Madrid with so many culinary greats (including simple bistros like Casa Toni - try the sweetbread), this was simply too overpriced an attempt at being a truly...

DSTAgE is an unbelievable 2-star Michelin restaurant in Madrid, Spain. It is beyond earthly… a slice of unforgettable, heavenly perfection. Their chef is a master who curated an unparalleled experience. We joined a few days ago for their 18-course tasting menu and opted for the wine pairing. Although we started off rocky with the first few plates, I was amazed with what followed. I did not particularly like the tomato dish - it was too mushy. So was their butterfly and soup dishes. Even though I enjoyed the wrapped leaf on the butterfly “involution,” the inside was underwhelming. The soup was just soup - a bit salty with too much soy sauce and beans; it was nothing particularly special. It is my (unprofessional) opinion, and I am only sharing this for the team to revisit these selections. However, every dish that followed was incredible! Some of my favorites were: (1) the 7-day sea bass sashimi was extremely succulent; (2) the caviar dish was indescribably good. I especially loved its presentation and unbelievable texture; (3 & 4) the tartare and truffle items were both masterfully executed; (5) the French omelette, served by Chef Diego himself, was perfection that I’ve never experienced before. It was simple yet so elegant and delicious; (6) I always dreamed of tasting fresh wasabi and sadly never had the time to source it. So, I was beyond satisfied with the wasabi leaf… it was a dream come true. Each dish deserves page-long praise, but I will not ruin this experience for you. The team is incredible, too. Every server was attentive and extremely hospitable. I loved how they would pair up, or even triple up, to serve a single dish. They were synchronized like Swiss clockwork. I also loved that their back-of-house personnel - operating in an open kitchen that is comparable to a bustling yet quiet beehive - frequently served and introduced their dishes. Chef Diego’s team cares, and it is very evident. Do not miss out on a chance of a lifetime. They truly deserve the two stars, and I believe their third is overdue. This was, by far, the best few hours of gastronomy I have ever enjoyed in my...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at DStAgE, a restaurant that boasts two Michelin stars. My dining experience revolved around the highly anticipated 18-course menu, which took us on a delightful gastronomic adventure spanning roughly three hours. As seasoned patrons of Michelin-starred establishments, including those adorned with three stars, we found DStAgE to be a worthy contender.

The meal showcased a blend of extraordinary dishes that left an indelible mark on our taste buds. From the very first bite to the last, it was clear that the culinary team at DStAgE had crafted each course with meticulous care and attention to detail. The flavors were harmonious, the presentation exquisite, and the innovative combinations truly tantalizing. Some standout dishes genuinely took our breath away, offering a glimpse into the remarkable skills of the chefs.

However, as with any extensive menu, there were a few misses along the way. While the majority of the courses were exceptional, a small number did not reach the same lofty heights. Nevertheless, this is to be expected in a restaurant that pushes the boundaries of culinary innovation.

The staff at DStAgE played a pivotal role in enhancing our dining experience. The team exuded warmth, professionalism, and genuine enthusiasm for their craft. We were particularly impressed when the owner and head chef took the time to personally visit our table, providing valuable insights and explanations about the intricacies of one of the dishes. This personal touch made us feel truly valued as guests.

In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend DStAgE to anyone seeking a remarkable dining experience. With its two Michelin stars, the restaurant embodies the very essence of culinary excellence. While a few dishes may have fallen short of perfection, the overall quality, creativity, and impeccable service make DStAgE a dining destination that should...