Restaurante Martin Berasategui – Lasarte, near San Sebastian, Basque Country

It is not often that one is blessed to enjoy the finest of food prepared by one of the top chefs of the world. During my recent visit to San Sebastian, I was fortunate to have lunch in the restaurant of Martin Berasategui, in Lasarte, a small town near San Sebastian. The chef proposes to the visitor to taste rather than eat. This means, he prefers to serve small bites of representative dishes that he has created over the years, rather than one or two big dishes. The degustation menu that he has put together spans the period from 1995 to 2010.

Lightly smoked cod with powder of hazelnuts, coffee and vanilla.

The official name of the dish does not mention that the thin slice of the fish rests on a puree where the taste and flavor of parmesan cheese is prominent. The fish actually disolves into the puree and the combination is inspiring!

Mille feuille of smoked eel, foie gras, spring onions and green apple

This is a signature dish of the chef, one of the dishes that have established him in the Pantheon of modern gastronomy. What is quite remarkable is the balance that he manages to maintain, between the eel and the foie, which have abundant flavor and “personality” .

Salmon de Keia with seaweed, cucumber, lemon and celery ice cream.

This is a very fresh, light bite, made even lighter by the celery ice cream and the strip of lemon sauce. The salmon is velvety, full of flavor.

Squid soup, creamy squid ink ravioli, served with squid crouton

The black ball is a ravioli filled with squid ink, the crouton is a flake with ink juice and rice, and beneath it the chef has placed razor thin slices of squid. This dish is the essence of squid, presented in three distinct forms. The instruction is to put the ravioli in your mouth intact, and then crush it in order to enjoy the power of the ink’s taste. Then you water down the powerful taste with the soup’s liquid and the rest. The slices of squid add to the harmony of textures, but the taste and flavor are in the liquid stuff.

Oyster with water cress, rocket leaves and lemon grass cream, apple chlorophyll, and oxalis acetosella (wood sorrel)

Extremely delicate flavor and taste, requires meditation to obtain the depth of the delicate structure the chef has put on the dish. A very intellectual dish!

Little pearls of fennel, with emulsion

What you see in the middle is a bouquet of tagliatelle made of gelatin and fennel. It is surrounded by the foamy stuff that also has fennel in it. It is a dish that uplifts you because it is so light!

Cheese and Carabana oil Bubble with endives, red onion juice and Iberian bacon

This is a heavier dish, the bubbles are quite tasty and hearty, while the vegetables and the liquids accompany them well.

Farm’s Egg with beet root and liquid salad, lardon and cheese

The test of the artistry of a chef is the cooking of an egg. Here we have the egg (poached without the white) covered by a transparent slice of lardon  fat. On top we have pieces of beet root a bit of cheese, black truffle and the liquid herb salad. The combination is ok, but lacks focus. Of all the dishes I tasted this was the weakest.

Warm vegetable salad with seafood, cream of lettuce hearts and juice

This is a painting, a pleasure of the eye. Once you start tasting the salad, you have the feeling of being submerged up to waste level in the sea, and from the waste up to a vegetable and fruit garden. A sheer delight, the gastronomic equivalent of Mozart’s String Quintet 6.

Roast red mullet with crystals of soft scales, pig’s tail and seaweed

This is an audacious dish, the combination of the mullet with the succulent pig’s tail is incredible! Not to mention the scales, that have been turned into air by the chef.

Roasted Araiz’s Pigeon, mushrooms and truffle cream

Wonderful flavor of the pigeon, assorted by the woody mushrooms and the truffle sauce. This may have been the best pigeon I have ever tasted!

The deserts were a disappointment, after the huge satisfaction of this display of culinary expertise and creativity.

Coffee came with this nice tray of cookies and tasty liquids.

At the end of the meal, the maitre d’ hotel asked me to go to the kitchen, where I was greeted by Hector Botrini, the best Greek Chef. Hector was visiting Martin as they are good friends and enjoy working together. Martin Berasategui was very polite, he asked whether I enjoyed the food and why. It is good to see that one of the best chefs of the world takes time to ask his unknown customers about their feedback. It is one of things that can keep Martin at the top for many many years to come.

Restaurante Rekondo – San Sebastian, Basque Country

This is a restaurant in “my” neighborhood in San Sebastian. It is on the steep narrow road that takes you to Monte Igueldo, where rests with the most spectacular view of the Concha Bay the Monte Igueldo Hotel (my house in San Sebastian).

It offers classical Basque cuisine and has a fantastic wine list, more than 100,000 labels are on offer at prices you think you are dreaming with your eyes open.

The clientele is at this time of the year (February) locals who want to enjoy good local food and excellent wine. In addition to the restaurant, there is a separate area for drinking wine.

Thi sis not a fancy restaurant, but the locals in San Sebastian are a demanding lot. So here we have a delicious amuse, fried vegetables and a cheese croquette.

The first dish is artichokes with fresh duck liver. The hollow area of the cylinder has been filled with a light bearnaise sauce. The liver is just divine, it melts in the mouth, full of discrete sweet flavors and juices. The texture is smooth and it surrenders to the slightest movement of the tongue. The artichokes full of gentle acidity, dressed in the light bitterness of its flesh. The sauce acts as a universal agent of redemption, smooths out the contrasting tastes and united we all go to heaven!

The following dish is an act in extreme discretion, as it is the cheeks (kokotxas in Basque) of hake (merluza in Spanish) lightly cooked in olive oil and parsley. The discretion is required when cooking the sensitive velvety flesh as it may disintegrate and break into pieces. thankfully this did not happen in my plate, the cheeks were perfect, the taste of the sea rushing into the mouth cavity, just as the rough waves down the cliff crush against the rocks. The gelatinous pieces had released their gelatin in the sauce, which was balanced and delicious.

The best way to end this meal was a plateau of cheese from the land.  I will never learn the names, but I believe that the Basque country produces some of the best cheeses in the world.

Bacalao Pil Pil – Μπακαλιαρος πιλ πιλ (μια συνταγη απο τη μεγαλη χωρα των Βασκων)

Today I want to share the fantastic Basque recipe of bacalao pil pil. I do not try to give an english name, there is no point. Once you taste it, you will remember it with or without name!

Σημερα παρουσιαζω μια υπεροχη αυθεντικη και εντελως φυσικη συνταγη απο τη μεγαλη χωρα των Βασκων με το ονομα bacalao pil pil. Η αποδοση στα ελληνικα ειναι “μπακαλιαρος πιλ πιλ”. Ο πλησιεστερος ελληνικος ορος θα ηταν ηπια συβραση (τα σκορδα με τον μπακαλιαρο) αλλα δεν τον θεωρω δοκιμο.

I tried this dish in San Sebastian at the beginning of the 21st century, and I have since fallen in love with it. As every dish, it requires top quality ingredients, in this case salted cod (bacalao) and the special cut  with the name (surprise) “pil pil”. In case you cannot find the cut (impossible outside Spain) buy the best quality fillet.

Δοκιμασα για πρωτη φορα αυτο το πιατο στο Σαν Σεμπαστιαν στις αρχες του 2000 και απο τοτε το εχω ερωτευτει. Οπως καθε καλο πιατο με ψαρι, απαιτει την καλυτερη πρωτη υλη. Εν προκειμενω η πρωτη υλη ειναι φιλετο αλατισμενου  μπακαλιαρου που στην ελλαδα μας ειναι δυσκολο να το βρουμε. Αγοραζουμε λοιπον τον καλυτερο αλατισμενο μπακαλιαρο που μπορουμε να βρουμε και κοβουμε το πιο χοντρο κομματι απο το φιλετο.

Ξαρμυρισμενος και λαχταριστος
Ξαρμυρισμενος και λαχταριστος

What you see in the picture is the real cut I bought from San Sebastian, accompanied by the second most important ingredient, garlic!

Αυτο που βλεπετε στην φωτογραφια το αγορασα απο το Σαν Σεμπαστιαν και το διετηρησα στην καταψυξη.  Διπλα στα φιλετα βλεπετε το ετερον σημαντικον και ουσιωδεστατον συστατικον, σκορδακι μυρωδατο και τσαχπινικο, ετοιμο να κατακτησει με τα αρωματα του και τον πλεον δυσκολο πελατη!

The recipe is a lesson in physics and chemistry.

Η συνταγη βασιζεται στους νομους της φυσικης και της χημειας.

Take a deep frying pan (that has a thick enoough bottom that absorbs and keeps the heat) pour a lot of olive oil and garlic cloves and keep the fire at low-medium level (3 out of 10). Once it starts sizzling, add the filets with the skin down.

Παιρνουμε ενα τηγανι με πατο (δηλαδη οχι αυτα που ειναι σα φλιδα, αλλα εκεινα που η βαση τους ειναι αρκετα παχια για να μπορεσει να αποθηκευσει πολλη θερμοτητα στη διαρκεια του μαγειρεματος). Ριχνουμε αφθονο ελαιολαδο στο τηγανι, αφθονα σκορδα και αναβουμε τη φωτια στο 3/10.  Αμεσως μετα, τοποθετουμε τα φιλετα με την πετσα να ακουμπα στο τηγανι.

Μολις αρχιζει το μαγειρεμα
Μολις αρχιζει το μαγειρεμα

Immediately start moving and shaking the pan so that the fillets do not stick. Keep doing this, do not be lazy, it is the secret to the success of the dish! After 3-4 minutes the olive oil starts thickening, as it mixes with the gelatin of the fish. Do not increase the heat, keep it medium.

Αμεσως μετα αρχιζουμε να τσουλαμε το τηγανι – σερνοντας το στην επιφανεια της κουζινας, για να μην κολλησει το φιλετο. Μετα απο 3-4 λεπτα το λαδι αρχιζει να πηζει, αφου η πετσα αι η σαρκα κατα δευτερο λογο εκρεουν το φυσικο ζελε που περιεχουν. Η ρυθμιση της φωτιας ειναι ιδιαιτερα σημαντικη, αφου αν ειναι πολυ δυνατη το ζελε θα στερεοποιηθει και θα γινει μια μαυριλα, ενω αν η φωτια ειναι χαμηλη, θα φτιαξουμε μια ωραια σουπα.

Σχεδον ετοιμο!
Σχεδον ετοιμο!

While the sauce keeps thickening, add a couple of chili peppers to enhance the flavor. After 10 minutes (without touching or turning the fillets) the dish is ready. You may use a spoon to pour the sauce over the fillets but nothing more than that!

Στο μεταξυ εχουμε προσθεσει καυετερες πιπεριες για προσθετο αρωμα και σε 10 λεπτα το ελαιολαδο εχει σχεδον πηξει. Προσοχη, σε καμια περιπτωση δεν γυριζουμε τα φιλετα! Αν θελετε ριχνετε με ενα κουταλι το ελαιολαδο απο πανω, αλλα γυρισμα ποτε και για κανεναν!

Let the flavors settle for 5 minutes and serve.

Μετα απο 15 (συνολικα) λεπτα σερβιρουμε.

Σερβιρισμενο, ετοιμο να πλανεψει και την πιο απαιτητικη!
Σερβιρισμενο, ετοιμο να πλανεψει και την πιο απαιτητικη!

Unless you taste this I cannot describe it!

Δεν μπορω να περιγραψω τα αρωματα, αλλα και την υφη του εδεσματος!

The cod is firm in texture and delicious, as it has been showered by the garlic and chill flavors!

Ο μπακαλιαρος αυτος ειναι καλυτερος απο αστακο! ( ενταξει, μια μικρη υπερβολη, αλλα δικαιως).

Η σαρκα ειναι μεστη, σφριγηλη και πεντανοστιμη!

The olive oil sauce is divine, the garlic subtle and moderate.  The garlic is like comfit, and melts in your mouth.

Η σαλτσα με το ελαιολαδο, το ζελε και τα σκορδα, εχει γινει αριστουργημα, με την καυτερη υποκρουση που εδωσαν οι πιπεριες αλλα και την ευγενεια του ελαιολαδου στο γευστικο βαθος, ενω το σκορδο αποδιδει ολη την γκαμα των αρωματων του με αιδω και φειδω.

Λεπτομερεια
Λεπτομερεια

In some recipes they suggest throwing potatoes in the dish and other things. I do not suggest such a thing, keep the dish simple and avoid the bastardization. Enjoy each bite like a sip of a good wine, let it drive you crazy before you swallow.

Σε καποιες συνταγες λενε να βαλουμε πατατες και αλλα παρελκομενα. Σας προτεινω να μην βαλετε τιποτε αλλο! Απολαυστε καθε μπουκια με αργοσυρτη κινηση οπως τα πλυντηρια ρουχων πανε μια γυροβολια τα ρουχα μεσα στον καδο. Σχεδον σα να πινετε ενα καλο κρασι. Μην βιαστειτε να καταπιειτε την τροφη, αφηστε την να τρελανει τον ουρανισκο και να απαγαγει την γλωσα σας!

A white wine with a lot of body is a must.

Ενα καλο σαβατιανο κρασι ειναι οτι πρεπει, γιατι ειναι διακριτικο και συνοδευει με σεβασμο αυτο το θαυμα της φυσεως.

Akelare Restaurante, Pedro Subijana – San Sebastian, Basque Country

Καθως μπαινει το φθινόπωρο, ανέσυρα από το αρχείο μου μια καλοκαιρινή επίσκεψη στο εστιατόριο του Pedro Subijana, Akelare. Κυριακή μεσημέρι, το εστιατόριο τίγκα, δεν έπεφτε καρφίτσα.

Η θ�α
Η θέα

Η θάλασσα που βλέπετε είναι ο Ατλαντικός. Το εστιατόριο είναι χτισμένο σε μια βραχώδη πλαγιά που βλέπει αυτο που δείχνει η φωτογραφία.

Η σεμνη τελετή άρχισε με τα amuse bouche, που αποδίδονται ως “τέρψεις του ουρανίσκου”.

Τ�ρψεις Νο 1
Τέρψεις Νο 1

Οι τέρψεις δεν περιγράφονται εύκολα, γιατί είναι ιδιοσκευάσματα του σεφ που αλλάζουν κάθε λίγο και λιγάκι και δεν παραπέμπουν σε κάτι σταθερό.  Είναι η αποτύπωση μιας παιχνιδιάρικης διάθεσης στη γεύση, τα χρώματα και την υφή. Εκείνο που μπορώ να πω με βεβαιότητα είναι ότι η ανάμνηση τους είναι όμορφη.

Η συνέχεια περιλαμβάνει τα πιάτα του μενου με τον τίτλο “Bekarki”.

Πιάτο Πρώτο: Little pearls of foie gras and sour salad

Pearls of Foie-Gras
Pearls of Foie-Gras

Εδώ ο σεφ μας αιφνιδιάζει με το καλημέρα σας, αφού μας σερβίρει αυτο το υπέροχο φουά σαν πέρλες!

Π�ρλες φουά - λεπτομ�ρεια
Πέρλες φουά - λεπτομέρεια

Οι περλες διασπάνε την επίθεση του φουά στον ουρανίσκο σε μικρές δόσεις, και καθιστούν την όλη εμπειρία πολύ περισσότερο απολαυστική, αφού έχεις τη δυνατότητα να γευθείς το φουά σε μικρες δόσεις, να αφομοιώσεις τα γευστικά ερεθίμσατα και να ζητησεις με την ησυχια σου και την επομενη δοση.

Πιατο δευτερο: Wild mushrooms and egg pasta

Wild mushrooms with egg pasta
Wild mushrooms with egg pasta

Εδω ο σεφ μας οδηγει σιγουρα και σταθερα στον πλουτο της γευσης της πρωτης ύλης, των αγριων μανιταριών με την εντονη γευση τους. Για το λογο αυτο τα συνοδευει με τα πολύ διακριτικα μακαρονακια για να σπασει λιγο την ενταση της γευσης.

Η χωρα των Βασκων ειναι ενας συνδυασμος απο θαλασσα και βουνο, λίγα χιλιομετρα μακρυα απο το εστιατοριο ειναι τα βουνα με χιλια δυο καλα, αναμεσα σε αυτα και πολλες ποικιλιες μανιτάρια.

Μανιτάρια με παστα - Λεπτομερεια
Μανιτάρια με παστα - Λεπτομερεια

Πιατο τριτο: Squid in warm salt, its broth and ink sand

Ηρθε η ωρα της αμεσοτητας της παρασκευης και γευσης, οπου ο χρονος που μεσολαβει απο την παρασευη του εδεσματος μεχρι την αναλωση του ειναι ελαχιστος. Αρχικά φέρνει το πιατο οπως το βλεπετε στη φωτο που ακολουθεί. Με τα ποδαρακια το συμπυκνωμενο ζωμο και το στερεοποιημενο μελάνι.

Καλαμάρι
Καλαμάρι

Μετα φέρνει το ποτηράκι με ζεστο νερό και αλάτι, οπου εμβαπτιζει τον νωπό κορμο του καλαμαριου και τον εναποθετει πανω στο συμπυκνωμενο ζωμο.

Εμβαπτιση
Εμβαπτιση

Η αμεσοτητα της γευσης είναι εντυπωσιακή. Ο δε συνδυασμός της ζεστης σαρκας με το στεροποιημενο μελανι βγαζει πολλα αρωματα!

Καλαμάρι
Καλαμάρι

Πιατο τεταρτο: Γλωσσα με κοράλια

Εδω ο δημιουργός παιζει με τις αισθησεις αλλα και τη γλώσσα (οχι το ψαρι), αφου τα κοραλια ειναι μια οπτικη φαντασια.

Γλώσσα
Γλώσσα

Το ψαρι εχει σφιχτη και ζουμερη σαρκα και ειναι ψημενο στο οριο, ωστε να μην ειναι ωμο αφενος, αλλα και να διατηρει τα αρωματα του αφετερου.

Παιτο πεμπτο: Γουρουνακι γαλακτος

Γουρουνακι Γαλακτος
Γουρουνακι Γαλακτος

Σαν λουκουμάκι! Ουδεν ετερον σχολιον.

Ακολούθησε κατά παράκλησιν και απόκλισιν εκ του μενου μια ποικιλία τυριων. Πανδαισία! Η ντόπια παραγωγη είναι αρίστη και σε ολη την πειοχή υπάρχουν υψηλής ποιότητας τυροκομεία.

Στο σημείο αυτό η χωρα των Βασκων συναντα την Ανδαλουσία, αφου η ποικιλία συνοδευτηκε απο το υπεροχώτατο κρασί ποικιλίας Pedro Ximenez,  εσοδείας 1979.

Ποικιλία τυριών
Ποικιλία τυριών

Η ολοκλήρωσις επήλθε με  τάρτα μηλου, καλυμμένη με φύλο σοκολάτας που αναγράφει το ονομα του εστιατοριου. Το τελευταίο μικρό παιχνιδι του σεφ με τις αισθησεις μας.

Τάρτα Μήλου
Τάρτα Μήλου

Και οπως παντα στη υπεροχη χωρα των Βασκων, το φαγητο ειναι γιορτη, ανοικτη σε ολους ανεξαρτητως ταξεως και καταγωγης και προελευσεως, πηγαινεις χωρις γραβατα και σακκακι, και απολαμβανεις.

Ο μεγας σεφ Pedro Subijana ενδεδυμενος με την στολη του περασε απο ολα τα τραπεζια, χαιρετισε τους πελατες και ειπε και την καλη του την κουβεντα. Υπενθυμιζω οτι ηταν Κυριακη μεσημερι και οτι ο σεφ εχει αρκετα λεφτα να περασει αρκετες ζωες ακομα.

Επιμύθιο πολιτιστικής φύσεως: στο διπλανο τραπεζι καθοντουσαν δυο νεα παιδια απο μια πολη παραδιπλα, απλουστατα ντυμενα, σεμνωτατα, και πανω απολα χαρουμενα, πιασαμε κουβεντα και ολα τα σχετικα. Καθως φευγαμε ολοι μαζι ειδα τα παιδια να κατευθυνονται σε μια φεραρι, να μπαινουν μεσα, και να φευγουν σαν τον ανεμο.

Guggenheim Bilbao, Jatetxea, Restaurante

Suspended Figure, Munoz
Suspended Figure, Munoz

Update 2021: The restaurant is no longer in operation inside the museum building. A new restaurant “Neua Guggenheim Bilbao” has pened and operates in an adjacent area of the museum vomplex.

I visited the Bilbao Guggenheim Museum in July 2008 and had lunch in the restaurant. It is a restaurant much acclaimed and I was quite curious to see, smell, and taste the food.

The Chef is Josean Martínez Alija, a disciple of Martín Berasategui’s.

Before lunch, I had the opportunity to visit the brilliant exhibition of works by the Spanish Artist Juan Munoz.

Back in the restaurant, I opted for the gastronomic menu with the rather overwhelming title “Creation, Freedom and Tendencies”.

Having in mind that this is a title more suitable for a Ph.D. in Philosophy, I waited for the amuse bouche.

It turned out to be “tempura” peppers, which I liked very much. They were sweet, tender and very fresh.

"Tempura" Green Peppers

The first dish of the menu was “Stewed tapioca pearls”. I was told that this is a simulation of a traditional Basque dish which has humbler ingredients. The dish was perfect, the pearls had absorbed the flavours of the stew and I had the sense of the pearls exploding in my mouth, releasing their flavours. Imaginative and pleasing.

Stewed tapioca pearls
Stewed tapioca pearls

The “Roasted red endives” followed. This was a “minimal” dish and I have mixed feelings about it. I like endives, but at the end of the day an endive by itself is not the most pleasing dish. Although it was full of flavour, this was not enough to constitue a dish in a gastronomic menu.

Roasted Red Endives
Roasted Red Endives

Another roasted vegetable was next: “Roasted aubergine flavoured with “makil goxo”. I have the same comments as in the endives dish. Yes, the aubergine was very tender and juicy, but there was no complexity of flavours, no synthesis worth mentioning.

Roasted aubergine
Roasted aubergine

The next dish was also roasted: “Roasted fish of the day”. The “minimalism” of the previous dishes continued with the hake. A good piece of fresh fish is not a gastronomic dish.

Roasted fish of the day
Roasted fish of the day

The last dish was the “Iberian pork stew”, and it was a very good stew. But only a stew.

Iberian pork stew
Iberian pork stew

All in all, I was rather diappointed. In my view gastronomy requires synthesis of ingredients, tastes (and traditions in some cases), an abstract concept is not enough.

Andra Mari Restaurant, Galdakao, near Bilbao

I found Andra Mari in the Red Michelin Guide and visited it last year (2007). I was positively impressed to the extent that I thought I just was lucky and everything turned out well during my visit. This year I visited Andra Mari again, wondering what the experience would be. I will try to describe it in this post.

The veranda
The veranda

The weathwer was gorgeous and I had the pleasure of eating al fresco in the veranda. Galdakao is a small town 10 km southeast of Bilbao, and is very easy to reach.

The view from the veranda is peaceful, and the air aviation enthusiasts can see all the airplanes as they approach the Bilbao airport, without suffering any noise effects, as they are still at a high altitude (I would say over 500 meters).

The view south
The view south

I had the “Andra Mari” Menu, which is the showpiece of the chef’s artistry and skill.

The start was “foie gras terrine with Pedro Jimenez Jelly”.

Foie Gras Terrine
Foie Gras Terrine

The second dish was “Sardine Fillets with roasted peppers and parmesan cheese”.

Sardine Fillets
Sardine Fillets

An apotheosis of colours followed, with the title “Grilled Summer Vegetables”.

Grilled Summer Vegetables
Grilled Summer Vegetables

The grilled lobster that followed was served with “Amaranto” risotto, which is in fact a cereal popular in South America.

Grilled Lobster
Grilled Lobster

What followed was my favourite dish a year ago. A cottage egg served with octopus. The richness of the egg combined with the octopus flavours will remain unforgettable.

Egg with grilled octopus
Egg with grilled octopus

The tuna loin that came next was a step down from the platform of excitement that the lobster and the octopus had built. I would nopt mind if it weren’t there at all.

Red Tuna Loin with Mango and Apple
Red Tuna Loin with Mango and Apple

To conclude they served a dish with Iberian pork cuts. The taste of the meat was superb, but the dish lacked the finesse and creative intensity of the previous dishes (excluding the tuna). I could live without it and have more lobster with the South American Cereal.

Iberian Pork
Iberian Pork

Deserts came next, starting with a junket with cherries.

Junket with Cherries
Junket with Cherries

To wrap things up they served a sponge cake with pears.

Sponge Cake with Peaches
Sponge Cake with Peaches

Overall, the experience was of the highest level, and in terms of value for money it tops the Basque Charts.

Andra MAri is now formly on my standard Basque Itinerary and for a very good reason. It serves excellent food at a very reasonable price!

Zuberoa Restaurant, Oiarzun, near San Sebastian, Donostia

My first visit to Zuberoa was on a Monday this summer. The drive from San Sebastian to the village is nice, and you can explore the countryside before going to he restaurant. The fresh clean air can do wonders for your appetite (if you need such a build up).

The facade of Zuberoa
The facade of Zuberoa

The Amuse bouche sequence started with “Creme de foie, and truffle, in a Pedro Jimenez sauce”. Light and tasty.

It continued with “Spider Crab, Bakalao and Potato Chips”. The intensity of the taste in the creamy substance was impressive!

Creme de foie, truffle, Pedro Jimenez
Creme de foie, truffle, Pedro Jimenez
Spider Crab, Bakalao, and Potato Chips
Spider Crab, Bakalao, and Potato Chips

The Gastronomic Menu started with “Lobster carpaccio with ginger flavour, grapefruit and soya”. Of all the dishes I tasted, this was the only one that I would consider in a state of development, or exploration. The balance of the taste was on the sweet side, and this presented a problem for me. I would have preferred it to be more subtle, with nuances of the sweet and bitter coming out of the background here and then, letting the almost liquid lobster to play the first role.

Lobster carpaccio
Lobster carpaccio

Red Shrimp from Palombs, its coral oil and salad. When I saw it for the first time, it reminded me of Gauguin! The taste was equally pleasing, the shrimp resting on ultra tender chunks of pork fat. The dish was so delicious that I had the urge to scoop up the sauce with a bit of bread. I raised my head and looked around. Almost everyone in the nearby tables was doing the same.

Red Shrimp from Palombs
Red Shrimp from Palombs

Curry flavoured sea fruits in their own juice. Another explosion of taste awaited me in this dish. The ingredients were ultra fresh, almost raw, the aroma of the sea coming through every bite.

Sea fruits
Sea fruits

Poached egg, poultry cream, truffle, celery and potato chips. I am a seafood lover, and I must confess that after the sea fruits, the egg had no chance to impress me. It tasted good, but could not provide the complex harmonies of the sea fruits.

Poached egg
Poached egg

White fresh beans with Jabugo ham aroma and sauteed squid. A divine combination, the squid providing the intese flavours, and the beans presenting the smoother side of life.

Beans and squid
Beans and squid

Red tuna fillet, basil flavoured tomato with pistachio oil and balsamico of Modena. The exquisite quality of the tuna demands a dash of cooking over fire. Excellent!

Red Tuna
Red Tuna

Roasted Lamb. I had the menu choice of a roast pigeon or suckling pig, but the Maitr D recommended the roasted lamb. I thank him for that, as it was divine. I must say that a classy lady in the nearby table used her hands to enjoy this dish. Who could blame her?

Roasted Lamb
Roasted Lamb

Plateau du fromage. Unfortunately I have not written them down, theyt are all local, brom The Basque Country and delicious.

Selection of local Cheese
Selection of local Cheese

Following my request, the kind waitress served at the end a spanish digestive, called “Abadia di Cova, Licor de Hierbas”.

Licor de Hierbas
Licor de Hierbas

All in all, I am quite impressed by “Zuberoa”. The food is excellent, the service formal but also human, the price is very reasonable, the overall value for money is top.