Impulsive Christmas Trip

[Jacques Vert]

I really shouldn't be looking at all these delicious food photos right on dinner time I'm on a hiding to nothing!

Nine years since I've been to SS. I'm thinking it's time for another visit.

 

[VPS]

I'm a mixture of oh didn't we have a wonderful time in SS and green with envy that I'm not there now (and I bet it's cooler than Adelaide and I don't care how cold it is)

 

[Flashback]

I'm a mixture of oh didn't we have a wonderful time in SS and green with envy that I'm not there now (and I bet it's cooler than Adelaide and I don't care how cold it is)

Going for a top of 11 today, 14 tomorrow.. then rain for the next week!

 

[VPS]

Going for a top of 11 today, 14 tomorrow.. then rain for the next week!

Oh stop it

 

[amaroo]

For dinner we booked - Bodegón Alejandro

This was a great night out - meal, service, setting .... one of the best of the trip!

Would love to eat here again.





Base for the soup - delicious

 

[Milboo]

Oh now I am hungry! The green apple pie, the artichoke, the croquettes...

 

[cjd600]

Wow, this is getting out of hand!

That all looks awesome

 

[amaroo]

Given the impulsive last minute booking for this trip, and the time of year we were visiting San Sebastián, the options for getting reservations at some of regions best restaurants was challenging. Restaurants were either booked solid months before we even thought about flying over or were closed for Xmas holidays.

Fortunately for us we caught a lucky break with one place and was able to take advantage of a cancellation. The place was - Arzak. A three * Michelin that is currently # 31 in the Worlds 50 Restaurants.

They were awarded their 1st * in the 1967, the 2nd ** in 1976, and the 3rd *** in 1989 and have held three ever since.

The kids wanted to sit this one out, lucky as the table was only for two. They went exploring- we went to lunch.

Arzak is an easy 30 min walk from the Hotel.... recommend walking as there are some swanky homes along the way.













The restaurant - family built it in 1897 and have run their business there ever since.

 

[amaroo]

We went with the tasting menu



Standard menu





The wine list - their cellar holds around 100,000



Only crossed out in pencil, they have more on the way



Let the feast begin

 

[amaroo]

Fish of the day



Oysters



Scarlet Prawn



Egg with corn and tomato candy..... egg was slowed cooked for 40mins and was cooked to perfection



Fish according to the sea



Roe deer horns



Symbolic duck

 

[amaroo]

We liked every plate - the flavours were extraordinary. The head chef Elena Arzak was charming and generous with her time approaching each table for a welcoming chat.

Arzak is a very nice restaurant in all ways - I would recommend eating here.

 

[LadyC]

Looks like an amazing meal!

 

[cjd600]

Which part of the menu do the kids gravitate to in these fine establishments?

 

[VPS]

Wow - that does look eye wateringly good (with the price tag to match)

 

[amaroo]

Looks like an amazing meal!

Wow - that does look eye wateringly good (with the price tag to match)

The meal was one of best we've had. *** Michelin dining can be hit and miss along with the ratings for the Worlds best
50 - we've eaten at 7 of the current best 50 in the past couple of years (posted in various trip reports) ..... most have been disappointing. Not this one. Arzak was impressive across all fronts and was all class. Of course it should all come down to the food - it was exceptional!

A restaurant / organisation that can create and maintain standards to gain those * and then hold onto them for 50+ years - is absolute quality .... it's an unbelievable achievement. The stress must be enormous!

 

[amaroo]

Which part of the menu do the kids gravitate to in these fine establishments?

The kids detest tasting menus and would much rather eat at a good local restaurant. We of course drag them to a few to broaden their horizon and challange the taste buds. This is what holidays are for IMO. Eating and experiencing local food is a major part of our holiday itinerary.... fine dining is just one small part, we overwhelming eat at local restaurants that offer good honest tucker.

San Sebastián is a hot spot for highly rated restaurants .... it's why we came here and why there's a concentration of * establishments in the TR. We have few more coming up.

 

[JohnM]

A restaurant / organisation that can create and maintain standards to gain those * and then hold onto them for 50+ years - is absolute quality .... it's an unbelievable achievement. The stress must be enormous!

As exemplified by some notable suicides: Michelin and the Deaths of Two French Chefs .

 

[amaroo]

The kids ended up having a great day away from us - exploring the city, shopping, and ordering room service for lunch.

Which brings us to dinner! How does one follow on from an amazingly excellent lunch .... by eating out of course. After all this is San Sebastián.

Eme Be Garrote - 1* Michelin located in an old cider house.



The menu - we decided against having two tasting menu on the one day.





Nothing like a refreshing G&T to get you back in the race.



House freebies



Salmon salad



Steak tartare



Fish and seafood soup

 

[amaroo]

Rice with claims (1/2 portion). Impressed with the number of dishes offered as 1/2 portions.



Suckling lamb leg



Cow’s cheeks



eMe Be roasted rice



Orange macaroon



Chocolate fondant ..... chocolate heaven!



Some more freebies



A few levels below lunch, but an excellent meal and would happily recommend eating here.

That’s what a 4* Michelin day looks like .... superb!

 

[OZDUCK]

My wife has requested that you please stop posting photos as all you are doing is making her want to go back even more!