Arzak

This 3 starred Michelin restaurant is as unassuming as can be on the outside...almost looks like it could be an apartment building way on the upper west side of New York...the kind without the doorman. It was actually the childhood home of Juan Mari Arzak the patron half of the father-daughter chef team and the man considered the father (or grandfather now!) of modern Spanish cuisine.

Elena is the daughter with whom most English speaking diners will get a tableside visit from. Reports are that they work well together but don't always see eye to eye. Everything about the tasting menu we experienced was spot on, with nary a miss. A bit of gastronomic modernity showing off some of the creative side is fused with perfect flavor profiles. The most unique technique was the "bronzed onion" and sauce that accompanied it...literally a metallic application ala the gold leaf that we occasionally see elsewhere on chocolate desserts.

Great wine list with some of those typical 20 euro Spanish bargains seen elsewhere, but other highly touted Parker wines such as Numanthia at a bit less than US retail. Service was unobtrusive and efficient. Amazingly, lots of locals and several families with children enjoying lunch the Saturday afternoon we were there. For me, this was the best meal of the trip and one of our best experiences ever.