Son of Michelin-starred chef reopens legendary Sant Pau restaurant

"Casual" and "relaxed" eatery north of Barcelona will welcome diners from July 8

Sant Pau restaurant chef Raül Balam (by Jordi Pujolar)
Sant Pau restaurant chef Raül Balam (by Jordi Pujolar) / ACN

ACN | Sant Pol de Mar

July 5, 2022 09:43 AM

Sant Pau, the famous restaurant in the seaside town of Sant Pol de Mar, in Maresme county north of Barcelona, that closed down just under four years ago will reopen on July 8.

But this time, the kitchen will be run not by Michelin-starred chef Carme Ruscalleda, but by her son, Raül Balam, who will be working alongside Murilo Rodrigues. 

Balam and Rodrigues already work side by side at El Drac, a restaurant in the neighboring coastal town of Calella. 

Their new take on the prestigious eatery, which will now be called Cuina Sant Pau, will be "more casual," Balam told the Catalan News Agency – and cheaper. 

"It will be a place to have fun and enjoy yourself, where there might be a little noise and where you can share dishes," he explained. 

Despite these differences, Balam has vowed to honor his mother's 30 years at the helm of Sant Pau: "We will be guided by the same philosophy: to be mindful of the product and the season."

The menu will feature classic Catalan-style cannelloni and croquettes, as well as dishes with a more "casual" twist, from bao to tuna tartar or 'arròs caldós' brothy rice.

Cuina Sant Pau will open from Wednesday to Sunday for dinner and also for lunch from Friday to Sunday.