This small tavern/restaurant in Axpe, Spain, halfway between San Sebastian and Bibao, was almost an after thought. It was a place that I was wary of...you know, a restaurant that "grills" everything doesn't strike one as fine dining. Sure its been featured on several television programs recently, but that doesn't necessarily guarantee greatness.
After much debate, we e mailed 2 days before our arrival and decided to make this our first meal of our San Sebastian trip. We were amazed by the product and the subtlety of the presentation...it was certainly one of the 10 best meals of our lives.
Axpe is a gorgeous tiny town literally at the end of a country road, hemmed in by mountains. Victor doesn't speak much English, so Lenox the Australian served as our host. The menu is deceptively simple...much like Craft, a list of ingredients with a price, no other discourse is offered. You enter the restaurant through a bar with locals having a drink and climb a flight of stairs to a very comfortable almost rustic dining area.
We asked if a tasting menu could be devised and it was.
Chorizo
Smoked butter
Palamos shrimp
Grilled Mussels
Baby Octupus
Garden Vegetables, Perigord Truffle
Grilled Turbot
Grilled Beef Chop
Canutillos, smoked milk ice cream
Wild Fruit Infusion, Fresh cheese ice cream
Everything was terrific. We have never had better chorizo...Victor hand makes it and it just melts in your mouth. Unfortunately, only 2 other tables were occupied on a Friday for lunch. Great well priced wine list...lots of nice Spanish wines for 16 to 18 euros...Of course, everything including the ice cream had a delightful smoked flavor. But product was top notch often with a simple sauce that let the product shine.
1 comment:
when i first ate there, i was unconvinced - everything seemed one-note (albeit that one note was done very well); but remembering back, it is a meal that grows in one's mind. i definitely recommend it for people in the san sebastian/bilbao area.
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