La Vina

We capped off the evening at La Vina.

It's located at 31 de Agosta Kalea 3.

Alcachofas (artichokes)--pricey at €14.

Tarta de Queso (cheesecake)--€5. La Vina is known for their cheesecake. It's light and fluffy and you get 2 pieces per serving.

2018 05 22

Bar Sport, Part 2

We went back to Bar Sport since it was just next door.

Sangria--€2.90. This was very good.

We liked the pimientos here the best--€5.50.

And, the sea urchin bisque was delicious--€3.50.

2018 05 22

Bar Borda Berri

Next stop was Bar Borda Berri.

Borda Berri is located at Fermin Calbeton Kalea 12.

Salmorejo con Anchoa--€3.50.

Risotto de Puntalette con Idiazabal--€3.

Esparrago Blanco con Hongos (white asparagus with mushroom sauce)--€4.

Ravioli de Txipiroi en su Tinta (squid in its ink)--€4.

Oreja de Cerdo (pig ear) con Tximi Txurri--€3.50.

2018 05 22

La Cuchara de San Telmo

After our lunch at Arzak, we needed a nap. We woke up, toured the San Telmo Museum until it closed at 8 pm, then met up for pintxos hopping.

First stop was La Cuchara de San Telmo, located at Santa Korda Kalea 4.

Foie with Compote & Applesauce--€4.50. This was a large piece of foie.

Cochinillo (pork) de Leiza Asado with Membrillo--€6.

Carrillera (calf cheek) Ternera--€4.10. This was so tender.

Pulpo Gallego con Berza y Tocino (Galician octopus with cabbage & bacon)--€6.50.

2018 05 22

Arzak

San Sebastian has three 3-Michelin Star restaurants. We were there on a Tuesday and only Arzak was open. We made reservations for lunch. You can have the same Menu Degustation whether you have lunch or dinner--€210 per person.

The place setting. Elegant long silverware with kitchen towel as napkin. Reminds me of Ina Garten's philosophy: give people what they don't expect.

Elena Arzak came around to each table and introduced herself and we were given a tour of the very clean kitchen. 

A bottle of Torello Cava--€39.

Lunch started with 5 amuse bouche. This was Citrus & Mussel Sphere.

Marinated Anchovy & Strawberry

Urban Seafood "Talo" (typical food of the Basque Region--similar to tortilla)

This was another amuse bouche but I can't really remember what it was. It may have been Fortunate Fish, Yolk & Peas.

Foie Gras Coated with Maseca Corn with Dry Fruit Crumble.

The 1st course--Atlantic Horse Mackerel with "Patxaran" (a Basque liquor), Garlic Sauce, Chia Seeds and Dusted with Purple Corn. 

Egg with Corn & Tomato Candy--Soft Cooked Egg with Tomato Candy, Pozole Corn and Seasonal Mushrooms.

Arantzazu Teardrop Peas with Sole in the Reeds--Fish Roasted in Hollowed Out Sugar Cane Served with Carrot and White Cacao Juice Infused Lengths of Sugar Cane. You also had a choice of monkfish.

As Caborcas for our meat courses--€70

Lamb Kale--Roasted Lamb with Cabbage Daisies, Lashings of Broccolini, Walnut Miso and Sweetened Holy Basil.

Another of the meat option was "Symbolic Pigeon"--Roasted Pigeon with Blue Potato and Parsnip Over Oranges, Vanilla and Kimchi.

Beef with Green Tea--Slightly Spiced Beef, Toasted Leek's Sponge Cake, Hop Sauce and 

Green Tea Smoke.

Balearic Tonic with Hibiscus--Over a Beetroot Crumble, Hibiscus Ice Cream Served with Melon Juice and Dried Bergamot & Sumac Meringue.

Cacao Debris--Smoked Chocolate, Vanilla Ash and Cacao Shavings.

Skate & Vietnamese Chocolate--wheel of Vietnamese chocolate filled with acai and mango sauce.

Complimentary glass of El Seque Alicante with our desserts

Mignardise of chocolate frogs--avocado, caramel, cinnamon and coconut flavors.

Total bill for four--€1155.45 ($1410). Was it worth it? It was a leisurely 3 hour lunch (not too drawn out) but I wasn't wowed as I was the last time I was there.  Five years ago, I was impressed with the flavor pops and the unique presentation--one dish was laid over a picture. This time, I really couldn't remember any of these tastes after the meal.

On the latest list of top restaurants in the world, Arzak did fall from #8 to #31. To tell you the truth, I'd rather go pintxos hopping.



2018 05 22

Pasai Donihane

Just a short 20-minute drive from San Sebastian's old town is the quaint town of Pasai Donihane. This is billed as a quintessential Basque fisherman's village and it truly is adorable. Park at the lot on the southeast edge of town, near the Pasajes de San Juan and walk into town.

Sign signifying that this is Basque Country (Euskal Herria).

The Lauburu (a Basque cross) is prominently displayed.

Iglesia de San Juan Bautista dates from 1643.

The town is one main street and predominantly pedestrian.

The buildings hug the bay.

Victor Hugo spent some time here and there is a free museum with some of his belongings.

More stone buildings in town.

The town square is lined with typical fishermen's houses, decorated with flowers (and laundry).

A quiet respite overlooking the bay.

If you have time, you can take a ferry and visit Pasai San Pedro on the other side of the bay.

Continue along the pathway to reach the Castillo de Santa Isabel.

In 1984, four men belonging to the Anticapitalist Autonomous Commandos were shot to death by police. Reportedly, their bodies contained 113 bullets. Today, their chalk outlines are still present.

2018 05 22

Santa Lucia

Santa Lucia is a churreria located in San Sebastian's old town. You can go there after your pintxos crawl or go for breakfast.

It's located at Portu Kalea 6.

Order at the counter and wait for your order to be called. There are plenty of tables.

Churros and a cup of hot chocolate (so thick it's like a pudding)--€5. The churros are great if they're fresh out of the fryer. If they've been sitting around, they're greasy.

2018 05 22