A perennial
of World’s 50 Best Restaurants and
recipient of 3
Michelin Stars, for a long-time, Arzak has been amongst the pivotal places
that make Donostia / San Sebastián one of the hottest destinations in the world
to enjoy fine foods.
Situated
a litle out of San Sebastian’s pintxo packed old town, for over a hundred
years, generations the Arzak family have contributed to making the restaurant
the bastion of Basque cuisine that it is today.
Arzak
is undoubtedly founded on tradition but now sits at the forefront of modernity
thanks to the visionary Juan Mari and his supremely talented daughter, Elena –
on the day of my visit, both Juan and Elena were in house, taking turns to oversee
the pass, plus warmly meet, greet and chat to diners at their tables.
At Arzak,
most diners opt for the tasting menu, however, after chatting to the front of
house team, I opted to construct a bespoke tasting menu from modified versions
of à la carte dishes. A wise decision as it afforded me an opportunity to try a
wide selection of dishes that piqued my interests and tastes.
I’d visited
Arzak previously, but this meal was the best yet!
Moringa and prawn gyoza
Banana and squid
Urban seafood and “talo”
“Cecina” and Kalamata
Maseca corn honey and foie
“Oysters pinned to the grill”
– Oysters
pinned over the coals, cooked in their natural juices with fermented garlic,
onions, vanilla and cacao.
Kokotxas en su onda
“Kokotxas on their own wavelength”
– Grilled
hake chins on a coconut and turmeric spiral with “pearl” and squid crisps.
Angulas
– Baby
eels and codium seaweed.
Merluza con pinturas de garbanzos
“Hake with chickpea paints”
– Hake
accompanied by spinach, turmeric and colourful pickled vegetable paints.
Cubo de patata con trufa fresca rellena
“Potato cube with truffle and egg yolk”
Ave de invierno con plumas de tomate
“Winter bird (wild pigeon) with tomato
feathers”
– Roasted
fowl accompanied by goji berries, dried tomatoes, cherry acorns and its own
roasting juices.
Tónico balear con hibiscus
“Balearic tonic with hibiscus”
– Over
a beetroot crumble, hibiscus ice cream with melon juice and dried bergamot and
sumac meringue.
“Chut” de chocolate
Chocolate “Bang”
– Chocolate
pistol with black current filling.
Petit frogs
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