The festival kicked off at 8 p.m., naturally, with homemade vermouth and a gilda (a Basque pintxo) to whet the appetite. Iberian ham, Russian salad, and patatas bravas opened the show. But the party at Vermúdez was just getting started. Around 10 pm, the star of the evening appeared on stage, returning to the restaurant for just one day and leaving attendees speechless: we’re talking about the crispy octopus belly, one of the most iconic dishes in the establishment’s history. Following it came the spicy bluefin tuna with eggs and potatoes, and then the aged beef and white truffle cannelloni. The Vermúdez Fest concluded with the spectacular semi-liquid cheesecake, which was a showstopper and even made a cameo appearance with the gin and tonic at Bambalino.

Let’s delve into the story of a decade in the hospitality industry. It all began on the corner of C/ Sueca and C/ Denia, thanks to an old-fashioned tavern where vermouth and tapas were the main attractions. In the first location, Bar Vermúdez, improvisation and the bar itself were key, the latter undoubtedly becoming a distinctive and unique feature that won over the neighborhood. As Raúl Sánchez Aguirre, partner and executive chef of Vermúdez, explains, “The idea came from some gatherings in Barcelona, ​​where vermouth and aperitifs are much more popular. A group of us got together and wanted to bring this idea to Valencia with our own style. And from vermouth, the name Vermúdez.”

Raúl Sánchez is also the executive chef at the prestigious Madrid restaurants Tramo and Mo de Movimiento. This experience has allowed him to elevate some of the more casual offerings found in Vermúdez’s kitchen, such as the aged beef and white truffle cannelloni that is so popular with diners. While several partners are behind the project, it was Raúl himself who acted as the restaurant’s spokesperson yesterday, and later joined the flamenco duo of Adrián Benítez and Javier Salazar, surprising all the guests. One of the most moving moments of the evening came when he broke into song with the popular “19 días y 500 noches” by Sabina. Chef and Vermúdez partner Raúl Sánchez also joined in the singing at the end of the night. Let’s return to the story. It was in 2023 that the tavern’s partners decided to take the leap to accommodate more diners on a daily basis. With this goal in mind, the restaurant ‘Vermúdez’ was born and reinvented, offering a much more extensive menu and space. Regarding this, Sánchez comments that the restaurant “has evolved according to customer demand and the times. For example, during the pandemic, we had to eliminate bar service due to social distancing restrictions.”

However, since its expansion to Gran Vía Germanías, 21, the restaurant hasn’t lost its essence. It continues to offer tapas and larger portions as it did originally, although with a more varied and diverse menu. The move to its current location, formerly the San Valero Market, allows it to accommodate 200 diners at a single service. Different service options can also be offered to suit the customer’s preferences. There is a main dining room, the largest, which integrates the bar and open kitchen, featuring a mural by AKA Mr. Simon that evokes the tavern’s origins. In this respect, it’s worth noting that Vermúdez has always been committed to Valencian art.

We still need to talk about the hidden space behind the scenes: Bambalino. What began as a cocktail bar has become a space designed for a different kind of enjoyment, with a clear focus on lunches and dinners for friends who want to complement their visit with a drink. Furthermore, Bambalino features four distinct private areas, like boxes in a classic theatre: Fashioned, Margarita, Dry Martini, and Negroni. Vermúdez is open from Tuesday to Saturday for lunch (1 pm to 4 pm) and dinner (7 pm to 11:30 pm); it is also open for dinner on Mondays. During the upcoming Christmas holidays, the restaurant will also be open on Sundays.

As for the culinary offerings, Vermúdez has never lost sight of its core identity and what it strives to convey in every dish. Tapas and sharing plates are the core of the menu, which is complemented by grilled meats and some signature desserts, such as the semi-liquid cheesecake, which has boosted the restaurant’s popularity in recent years. Some of the most noteworthy dishes were featured at the Vermúdez Fest. In addition to those already mentioned, there’s the aged picanha tataki, the grilled artichoke, and the Joselito sirloin with truffled parmentier.

Vermúdez also currently offers a daily set menu focused on rice dishes (Tuesday to Thursday, €17.90). It includes a complimentary appetizer, a Valencian salad, and, as a main course, different types of rice dishes. Diners can choose from three options, two of which will change weekly. Grilled lobster and Joselito chorizo ​​rice is a staple, joined by other options such as beef cheek and pumpkin rice, or octopus and Mallorcan sobrasada rice, among others. And, to finish, a variety of desserts including Bailey’s tiramisu, the spectacular semi-liquid cheesecake (a house specialty), as well as chocolate and seasonal fruit cake.

Thus, Vermúdez has now reached a decade of operation, growth, and consolidation in Valencia. They wanted to celebrate by organizing a festival to showcase their most iconic dishes, which were featured on a night that truly represented the establishment and its significance for the city. Attendees were even able to participate in a collaborative mural, which captured their best memories in Ruzafa, many of which are inextricably linked to Vermúdez.

More photos on: https://www.facebook.com/247valencia/

Gran Via de les Germanies, 21

L’Eixample

46006

Valencia

Teléfono: 699 61 91 43

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Website: https://vermudez.es/

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