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Restaurant recommendations - Northern Spain
Posted on 7/24/23 at 7:56 am
Posted on 7/24/23 at 7:56 am
I have a trip planned to Spain in September/October.
In addition to Barcelona and Madrid, I'll be visiting Rioja for some wine tasting and also the Basque region (to eat mostly).
I have reservations at El Capricho which I am very excited about. I have tried to get Etxebarri reservations, but I don't think it's going to happen.
Since I am going to be in a place with such a great culinary scene and so many Michelin stars, I want to have another top meal while I am there.
Any recommendations? There are so many options.
Any tips on how to score Etxebarri reservations?
Any El Capricho reviews?
In addition to Barcelona and Madrid, I'll be visiting Rioja for some wine tasting and also the Basque region (to eat mostly).
I have reservations at El Capricho which I am very excited about. I have tried to get Etxebarri reservations, but I don't think it's going to happen.
Since I am going to be in a place with such a great culinary scene and so many Michelin stars, I want to have another top meal while I am there.
Any recommendations? There are so many options.
Any tips on how to score Etxebarri reservations?
Any El Capricho reviews?
3
Posted on 7/24/23 at 8:42 am to InCaliForNow
I enjoy Gandaria in San Sebastian and Barra Alta in BCN and MAD.
But I also don't groove on Michelin stars. Been to those places and they put me to sleep. See the discussion on OT about $100k bass boats. The Michelin star places are in the same hierarchy of silliness.
But I also don't groove on Michelin stars. Been to those places and they put me to sleep. See the discussion on OT about $100k bass boats. The Michelin star places are in the same hierarchy of silliness.
Posted on 7/24/23 at 9:10 am to InCaliForNow
I think it would be sad if you didn't do tapas/pinxtos which would give you a more authentic experience than the artificial bubble of a michelen star place. I was just in Madrid and San Sebastian so can give you recs if you are interested.
Posted on 7/24/23 at 9:42 am to Zappas Stache
I agree with both you and tadman above about Michelin stars. My experience is that they seems to be awarded sometimes on how pretentious the presentation is.
But not always!
I have a pinto crawl planned for Logrono. I may do one in San Sebastian as well.
I'd love some recommendations!
But not always!
I have a pinto crawl planned for Logrono. I may do one in San Sebastian as well.
I'd love some recommendations!
Posted on 7/24/23 at 9:44 am to InCaliForNow
I got this off of a guide in San Sebastian, apparently all of the places on this list are owned by local families.
I also ate at Kokotxa (1 Michelin star) while there. It was a cool experience, but I wouldn’t do it again. I preferred the tapas and smaller restaurants.
I don’t think they’re open at that time of year, but I recommend trying to go to a cider house. I went to Saizar, but there’s multiple in the area. I think Petritegi is another reputable one.
I also ate at Kokotxa (1 Michelin star) while there. It was a cool experience, but I wouldn’t do it again. I preferred the tapas and smaller restaurants.
I don’t think they’re open at that time of year, but I recommend trying to go to a cider house. I went to Saizar, but there’s multiple in the area. I think Petritegi is another reputable one.
Posted on 7/24/23 at 10:20 am to InCaliForNow
quote:
I may do one in San Sebastian as well.
I'd love some recommendations!
There are 2 main areas in San Sebastain, Old Town and Gros. Old Town is much more touristy but more english is spoke and Gros which has very few toursist but english is hit or miss. It's an easy walk between the two areas, 15 minutes maybe. We liked Gros better than Old Town so most of my recs are over there. I tried to learn some spanish starting last January but really don't speak much at all. But using google translate to rehearse my order before going to counter worked fairly well and using google lens to translate menus was a big help. We were in SS for 5 nights so by the last night we developed our own pinxto crawl of the best places we tried.
Bar Ricardo- the calamari is the specialty and fantastic. Croquettas Jamon (shrimp croquettes) were very good as was their sandwich with tuna, anchovies and peppers the Rikardo.
Zabaleta- Their Tortilla is amazing. A tortilla over there is a sort of omlette and you will see it on many menus.
Bodega Donostaria- This place is more english friendly and had more tourists as its close to old town. We tried the tortilla here and it was good but not nearly as good as Zabaleta. The marinated salmon was awesome.
From Bodega Donostaria its an easy walk to Old Town to:
Txepetxa Taberna- Anchovies are the specialty here and they have a few variations, all good. It is very crowded and a lot of tourists are here but its english friendly.
La Vina- Basque cheescake is why you go here. It is very, very crowded but the line moves fast.
Bar Etxeberria- This is a dive bar with an owner who has fun, cracking jokes, very friendly. They have a big craft beer selection and their own Vermut. Vermut is a fantastic drink of mainly vermouth with a splash of campari.
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