Head Bartender Miguel Pérez at Four Seasons's ISA has extensive experience within the cocktail industry. He is recognized as one of the best bartenders on the national scene, and has led Isa to win prestigious awards. This Asian-Mediterranean fusion restaurant and cocktail bar is renewing its gastronomic range.
The property itself Four Seasons Hotel Madrid earned a new Forbes Travel Guide Five Star award, its highest rating, as well as for its outstanding SPA, and is showcased with other honorees on ForbesTravelGuide.com
All images courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel Madrid.
Originally from Madrid, our Head Bartender Miguel Pérez has extensive experience within the cocktail industry. Miguel always delivers the highest level of service with each of his cocktails at elegant Isa venue part of Four Seasons Madrid, and has obtained prestigious awards such as Best Hotel Cocktail Bar by FIBAR 2022 or to be recognized in the Tales of the Cocktail list as a 2022 Spirited Awards Honoree in the category of Best New International Cocktail Bar in Europe.
As ISA proposes new gastronomic range for spring 2023 where quality products and innovation are key, and combined with offers at another acclaimed restaurant at Four Seasons Madrid under the supervision of Chef Dani García, one of the most famous chefs in Spanish haute cuisine, the guests can look forward to exciting and competitive spring menus.
We talked to Miguel about being born and based in historic Madrid, the capital of Spain, and what does the city represent to him and about his concept at Isa.
Retiro Park and the Paseo del Prado, known jointly as the Landscape of Light, were declared
a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
All roads lead to Madrid, or rather away from Madrid, with the Kilómetro Cero, or Kilometre Zero, the central point from which all distances in Spain are measured, being located steps away from Four Seasons Hotel Madrid in the bustling Puerta del Sol. The majority of attractions and key sites for visitors, including the Royal Palace, Retiro Park and the city’s incredible art museums, are within a 20-minute walk of the Hotel, so there really is no better location for a visitor to Madrid.
"Madrid represents my roots, where I grew up. Being from Madrid is a way of understanding life." - Miguel Pérez
Now ISA, the Asian-Mediterranean restaurant and cocktail bar at Four Seasons Hotel Madrid is launching a new gastronomic and liquid proposal where flavour and innovation are embodied in a new menu. In addition, the team continues to focus on the most vibrant entertainment in Madrid's nightlife with ISA Nights, where some of the best bartenders in the world come together and create unique synergies with experts in various fields. On the main ingredients and flavours that distinguish ISA menu, Miguel explains, "We are always experimenting with new ingredients and techniques in our laboratory, looking for the highest complexity of flavours in our cocktails. Some ingredients from our latest
menu are, for example, lacto-fermented yellow beetroot or clarified miso soup."
Two-storey historical lobby of Four Seasons Hotel Madrid.
Isa has been recently awarded prestigious awards, including the Best Hotel Cocktail Bar (2022), and recognized in the Tales of the Cocktail list (2022) Spirited Awards Honoree. Miguel explain modestly that he does his bit, "but all the awards are part of an amazing teamwork, we are super proud to have one of the best teams in the world. We have a lot of departments involved as well, helping us every day in our operations, and without them none of this would be possible."
"We are extremely honoured to be awarded by such important platforms as Tales of the Cocktail or FIBAR, where you get the recognition of other industry colleagues." Miguel Pérez
What does it take to be recognised as the Best New International Cocktail Bar in Europe
in your opinion?
Innovation, creativity, service and, above all, passion.
Do you have personal favourite cocktail?
Daiquiri.
What is part of cocktail etiquette that some people misunderstand?
I don't believe much in etiquettes, everyone should find their own way.
Opposite winding staircase that leads up to ISA, is a powerful contemporary sculpture by American artist KAWS is the focal point of the lobby of Four Seasons Hotel Madrid.
A Renewed Gastronomic Range Designed to Surprise
Once again, the restaurant's team is coming together to create new flavours and surprise customers thanks to the creation of new dishes in which seasonal produce is the star ingredient. An unconventional and exquisite experience is assured thanks to the addition of the Sashimi Trio of salmon, tuna and sea bass of the highest quality and best cuts, or the Whole Grilled Bogavante with Laksa sauce, ginger and tamarind chutney for seafood enthusiasts.
The menu includes a selection of Oscietra or Beluga Caviar for those with the most sophisticated palates. For meat lovers, ISA has kept the Kagoshima A5 Japanese Wagyu Veal and added Steak Tartare on shiso tempura and gochujang, or the classic Chicken Yakitori reinvented with charcoaled chestnut and shichimi togarashi.
The iconic baos are a must. They are reinvented with each menu change to offer a fusion of perfectly assembled flavours, such as the new Veal Bao with Japanese curry and tapioca, a delicacy with a mellow texture and intense flavour. And for those who enjoy a bit more of a kick, the omakase option is a selection of 30 items by ISA's chef, including the restaurant's best nigiris and sashimis.
The Most Exciting Events at ISA Nights: A New Entertainment Concept for Madrid's Nightlife
The most vibrant entertainment complements the gastronomy and cocktails with live music and DJs from Tuesday to Saturday. In addition, the establishment continues with its innovative entertainment concept for Madrid's nightlife, which brings together high-profile guests. ISA Nights attracts the world's best bartenders at celebrated Guest Bartender events and surprises diners with their frequent collaborations with star guests. In addition, as part of this entertainment, the Golden Geishas will be back from 8:00 pm on Thursdays in March 2023. It’s a show full of sensuality and mystery where various Asian-inspired artists will be the perfect complement to the restaurant's ground-breaking gastronomic approach.
A Completely Renewed Signature Liquid Range Inspired by Manga and Created in its Own Laboratory
With a disruptive concept inspired by manga, ISA's new cocktail menu consists of four episodes where the central chapter, Himiko Lab, is the most experimental part of the new proposal: technique, modernity, and innovation result in proposals for the most adventurous with simple drinks and easily recognisable flavours such as Yogurt, a cocktail based on Roku gin, lacto-fermented strawberry, re-distilled lemon thyme and coconut water.
Never forgetting its roots, and with an evolved approach where modernity and minimalism are key, Haiku 2.0, the second episode, offers drinks such as Albahaca, made with Ron Santa Teresa 1796, Empirical Ayuuk, basil cordial and mango water, one of the most popular options.
Inspired by nature and for those seeking sophisticated and unique drinks, Sakura offers creations where the seasonality of the products is the key. Finally, the fourth episode, Kakirogi, is where Japanese tradition merges with the cutting-edge modernity of the ISA laboratory.
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 7:00 pm onwards
Telephone: 913 30 62 20
Contact email: isa.madrid@fourseasons.com
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