Growing up in ​Galicia with my mother and grandmother, has honed a special way of cooking for me.

It's a way of cooking in its purest and simplest form. We didn't really choose what we ate daily, but rather have Galicia choose for us–a true farm to table lifestyle. Our daily fruits and vegetables depended on the vegetation that was grown seasonally in our gardens. In February we would have beautiful artichokes to grill, whereas July gave us zucchini to make a fresh rice salad. Our fish of the day was whatever seafood we were able to catch down at the river. Being in the north surrounded by mostly water, green, and mountains–our cuisine is predominantly fish and vegetables. We will occasionally eat meat, and even that is what's seasonally available from the butchers that would make daily visits door to door.

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Some of my fondest memories were tending my family's garden, fishing and playing in the river all afternoon, and of course, dinnertime–when our whole family came together. This was our daily life. The simplicity of this way of living is quite special and I hope to bring a little bit of home to Nai's menu. 

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-Chef Ruben