Forget about the typical Spanish croquette or Iberian ham.

Michelin-starred chef Rodrigo de la Calle will take guests on a new adventure with Spanish cuisine next Tuesday and Wednesday (Nov. 8 and 9) at the Pipette French restaurant at the five-star InterContinental Shenzhen.

Chef Rodrigo de la Calle.

By uniting gastronomy and botanical products, he created the "gastrobotanics" philosophy — the discovery of new species and the revival of forgotten ones. The son of a farmer from Madrid, de la Calle leaves no plant untried in his innovative chef career.

For him, meat and fish are just dressings, and the main thing is the vegetables. Under his hand, vegetables, flowers, and herbs are transformed into carefully executed, vibrant plates too good-looking to eat.

Pipette French restaurant.

A sampling of the refreshingly light menu: baby carrot taco with peanut praline, beetroots with flowers, broccoli couscous with garlic mushroom, cheese cake and citrus soubet. More substantial options are present too — like scallop rice and seaweed with allioli, or roast pigeon with dates and iceplant — but the vegetable courses are where de la Calle gets most creative.

Besides the novel, healthy and colorful dishes that make people wonder if they had been stolen from the dinner table out of a fairy tale, guests will be able to enjoy their meals accompanied by piano and guitar music performed by five Spanish artists, led by pianist and conductor Manolo Carrasco. Passionate flamenco music, choice wines and neo-Spanish dishes will create an unforgettable evening for even the most fastidious gourmets.

A special event planned to mark the 10th anniversary of the Spanish-themed hotel, the meals come at a price. Diners will be charged each for 1,300 yuan, plus 10 percent service fee and 6 percent tax for the five-course set dinner.

(Debra Li)

Tel: (0755) 3399-3388 ext. 8581

Venue: 1/F, InterContinental Hotel Shenzhen, 9009 Shennan Boulevard, Nanshan District (南山区深南大道9009号华侨城洲际大酒店一层)

(Edited by Stephanie Yang)