Meet Your NBA Champion Foodie: Pau Gasol Talks El Bulli, Bazaar, Kobe and More

You probably already know him as the second best player on the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers. But what you probably don't know (unless you read our September interview with Lakers trainer Gary Vitti) is that he's also the team's resident foodie. He is, after all, from Spain. Squid Ink caught up with a relaxed Pau Gasol after practice in Phoenix on Sunday, just hours removed from the team's double overtime win against the Sacramento Kings.

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Pau Gasol

Squid Ink: Right now, a lot of people are saying that Spain is making the best food in the western world. Do you miss it much?

Pau Gasol: Uh...I miss it a little. I've changed a little, my diet here in the states, but yeah. I definitely miss the shellfish, the seafood. We've got really good seafood back home. The product, I'm used to it.

SI: Are you familiar with Ferran Adriá and his restaurant El Bulli?

PG: Oh, yes. Of course. I haven't been unfortunately. I met Ferran two years ago, I met him at a book presentation in L.A. I went to support him. We met and it was really nice to meet him. And yeah, he told me to go any time I could, but I haven't had the time. But I look forward to going. He told me just to call him and he'd seat me.

SI: Have you found any Spanish restaurants in Los Angeles that you like?

PG: When I first came, I was really craving it, homesick for Spanish food. So my mom and my dad cooked for me. But I kind of lost a little faith in Spanish restaurants in L.A., because the quality wasn't nearly as good as I thought it could be. But it's getting better. I go to The Bazaar a lot. I thought that was really good. The ambiance is very good. Really L.A.-ish. It's a cool place to go, have some tapas. I'm friends with José [Andrés]. He gives me bigger portions than usual.

SI: Have you taken your teammates to The Bazaar yet?

PG: Yeah. Team dinner, five of us, when the season was over. Derek [Fisher] was there, he tried most of the stuff. Some of it they weren't willing to try. But they were pretty open to it. It was nice. It's always a special feeling when teammates try the food that I love and they enjoy it.

SI: What are some of your favorite restaurants in the city, of any kind?

PG: I love Japanese food. I'm a big sushi and Italian fan. It's much more introduced in the states. So many great quality Italian restaurants. Something that I hope in the near future is more Spanish restaurants and more Spanish products in the states.

SI: Any particular sushi or Italian that you're fond of?

PG: As far as sushi, Nobu is really good and I enjoy it. I also have good friends there. It's a place that I love to go. And uh...Italian places, Pizzeria Mozza is really nice. Another restaurant I really like a lot is Amarone on Sunset. Great product, really cool spot. Great people.