Hotel Maria Cristina, a unique opportunity
Today we walk into the most emblematic hotel in the city. Opened in 1912, during the city’s golden period or belle epoque, the building has the same name as the queen who used to spend the summer holidays in our city. Nowadays, Hotel Maria Cristina is well known for being the accommodation of the stars during the film festival, which, added to its luxurious label, makes the prices quite unaffordable. Except this year, when “thanks” to the pandemic, we as locals have been able to access as guests for a more reasonable price. Why do we recommend it? Very simple, because if you can afford it, the experience is impressive.…
In search of the perfect txangurro at Rekondo
Rekondo is that kind of restaurant to keep in mind and go on special occasions, or simply whenever you want to indulge. Not being in the Champions League of the Michelin stars, it is nevertheless a highly respected place among us, the inhabitants of San Sebastian, a safe bet which offers haute cuisine without superfluous elements. Quite often is chosen by celebrities arrived for the Film Festival for their meals. Located in the road from the Antiguo neighbourhood to Igueldo mountain, resides in a typical Basque house with a big terrace that, if the weather allows it, offers an added value to the experience. The cellar is spectacularly large, offering…
Classic basque cuisine at Zelai Txiki
Today’s review is about a restaurant located at the foot of Mount Ulía, in a renovated caserío (typical basque house) that offers a tree-lined terrace and interior dining rooms. Perfect for family events and a place in general infallible for classic foodies, these are its main strenghts: Elegant place which lifts spirits. Fine decoration at the dining room. Attentive and helpful waiters, the staff seems to have been working there for decades, which is a nice signal. Menu composed by classics of Basque cuisine. Why get involved in modernity when someone already masters the traditional? Nice cellar with good wine options. Classic but not oldie, and you will find examples…
A Japanese restaturant in Gros called Elosta
Japanese cuisine claims to be light and quite healthy, so this place can be a nice option in January with the New Year’s resolutions. Elosta Sushi Bar, despite its Basque name and facade, has a menu mainly Japanese with certain Basque and Peruvian influences. We love it and here go the reasons: Clean aesthetics and a really clean place. We all know about the frenetic pace at some sushi bars, which can lead to mess and dirtiness. Big point given for keeping the place impeccable. Creative, not being the classic serial sushi ready to gobble, but a product worthy to be firstly analysed thanks to its careful presentation and then…
Tasting menu at Martin Berasategi Restaurant in Lasarte
Martín Berasategui grew up around the kitchenette and the tables of Bodegón Alejandro, when this classic in the Old Town was run by his parents and his aunt. There he began as cook assistant and nowadays, after years of studies and stays at nearby and foreign restaurants, he leads a gastronomic empire that sums up ten Michelin stars. Let’s enumerate the highlights of its most emblematic restaurant, Michelin 3-star and located in Lasarte municipality, a few kilometres away from San Sebastian: Location. A modern building built around a garden with fruit trees. The experience upgrades with these views, especially if the weather allows the use of the terrace. Anyway, large…
Peruvian cuisine at Ekeko
Ekeko was at first a project of our coolest bakery in town The Loaf, but nowadays has a couple of restaurants, one on the pedestrian street of Reyes Católicos and the other one in the Old Town at Enbeltran st.. It could be summarized as something good, nice and… quite cheap. Everything with an aesthetic appearance and made with care. If possible, apart of nice flavours, we appreciate fun dishes as well. Quite cheap, being something halfway between street food and a menu. Between their distinctives, the causa limeña -a cold and colourful sort of potato salad with chili, lime and guacamole- their croquetas de ají de gallina (hem), their…
The bars that overcharged tourists
A few days ago our main local newspaper published an article that caused some stir. The text exposed the foul play of some bars in the Old Town, discovered after sending two couples, one local and the other one foreign, making the same orders and then comparing each paying tickets. Well, and what happened? The poor guiris had, in five bars from the seven chosen, some small extras added that the locals hadn’t have to pay. Among them, they had to pay for a beer instead for the zurito that was really poured (small size beer), or paying for a beer like if it was a pint. The same happened…
1st Congress of Pintxos and Tapas at Gastronomika
Within all the activities arranged during the San Sebastián Gastronomika Congress, this year a congress dedicated exclusively to the pintxos and tapas’ world has been included for the first time. According to Roser Torras, director of Gastronomika, this event, in addition to deserving its location in the pintxo capital as San Sebastian is, was already necessary in order to give more value to the bar sector, an emergent business that already requires its own space inside our gastronomy. Thus, some professionals took the stage to share technique and knowledge with the attendees. We enjoyed watching Paul Arrillaga (Zazpi bar) preparing some of their most famous pintxos, Enrique Fleischmann (Txoko Getaria)…
What to do during the San Sebastián Gastronomika 2019
6 to 9 October 2019 The Gastronomika is our most important event of gastronomy, a congress aimed to professionals and cook gurus, but where foodies can also take a look and taste. This is the place to be concerning all the avant-garde movements and products. This year, celebrating the 500th Anniversary of the first round-the-world-trip made by Elkano and Magallanes, the theme of Gastronomika will revolve around that feat in culinary terms, taking a culinary route from Getaria, going to Andalusia, passing through the Canary Islands, crossing the Atlantic and arriving to Brazil, Argentina and Chile and then cross the Pacific and arrive to Philippines and Indonesia before completing the…
Tasting the surprise set menu at Gerald’s Bar in Gros
Gerald’s Bar was stablished by an Aussie who came to live in our city some decades ago. Nowadays he doesn’t reside here anymore but its essence and good work remains amongst us. Let’s details its highlights and downsides: Classic decor, with a certain bistrot air, including linen tablecloths and silver cutlery, also napkin rings. Cozy and relaxed atmosphere. The surprise set menu concept. Everyday the chef arrange a menu and nobody will reveil it. Obviously, the’ll pay attention to possible allergics or phobias to take them into consideration. Be aware as well that not everybody will taste the same dishes, as some products can be finished and replaced for others, so…
Eat and drink in San Sebastian… the honest truth
